Diversion Social Worker
Website HillsboroughGov Town of Hillsborough
Growing Responsibly
The Town of Hillsborough invites applications for:
Diversion Social Worker in the Police Department.
Salary Range: $51,130 – $80,008 yearly
To apply for this position go to https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/hillsboroughnc
The Diversion Social Worker serves the Town of Hillsborough Police Department and with the Community Care and Diversion Response (CCDR) Team, a collaborative, pre-arrest and post-charge diversionary program for individuals with a history of serious mental illness.
The Hillsborough Police Department employs 30 officers, serving a community of about 10,000. The department’s purpose is to make the town safer using community-based policing and building partnerships.
The social worker will work in close collaboration with law enforcement officers, CCDR social workers in three other law enforcement agencies in Orange County, and with the clinical coordinator in the Orange County Criminal Justice Resource Department.
The position will seek to enhance and increase efforts to divert individuals in need of mental health interventions and treatment away from law enforcement and the criminal justice system using:
- A warm hand-off.
- Individualized treatment and service plans.
- Case management services for up to 90 days.
- Treatment referrals to a dedicated response team clinician and peer support specialist at Freedom House Recovery Center.
A mission of the CCDR Team is to maximize opportunities for success in diversion with an enhanced focus on serving individuals with mental illness from marginalized backgrounds, including people of color and those experiencing homelessness.
For more information and to apply go to: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/hillsboroughnc
Job Duties
- Works with vulnerable residents in the community to ensure trauma-informed care, supportive case management, that appropriate treatment plans and services are in place and to provide interventions that will enhance the likelihood of long-term well-being.
- Receives referrals from law enforcement officers to calls or interactions regarding people with serious mental illness and people with serious emotional disturbance in order to divert them from the criminal legal systems and into the CCDR program.
- Coordinates and collaborates closely with law enforcement officers to ensure pre-arrest diversion and a warm hand-off for individuals who could be charged with misdemeanor or low-level felony offenses where the underlying issue is primarily mental illness or a co-occurring disorder.
- Responds to calls with law enforcement officers or in lieu of law enforcement in order to deflect individuals from the criminal legal systems and provide diversion opportunities, services and/or connections to treatment. Must be willing to deliver services in varying environments such as homes, jails, shelters, campsites, and various other community locations.
- Provides training and support for the law enforcement agency and its staff, as directed by CHPD supervisors.
Conducts initial de-escalation and on-site evaluations and works with the CCDR Program Coordinator to create an individualized plan for clients. Interprets needs through a person-centered, trauma informed and intersectional approach. - Develops treatment/service plans for integrated care and provides care coordination and case management for participants.
- Connects individuals to behavioral health treatment at Freedom House and other services to assist with other needs including, but not limited to, peer support, housing or food insecurities.
- Participates in intensive case-conferencing and a team-based approach to client case management in collaboration with CJRD’s CCDR Clinical Coordinator and the Freedom House Team.
- Collaborates with other community resource providers for referrals, information sharing and continuity of care.
- Ensures strict client confidentiality is maintained at all times.
- Coordinates post-charge diversion planning for individuals in the court system with underlying mental health issues in partnership with the District Attorney’s office and defense counsel.
- Initiates, completes and maintains program records and documentation in accordance with agency, county and grant policies and procedures.
- Communicates with CCDR Team, law enforcement and the community in a manner that demonstrates cultural sensitivity and professionalism.
- Provides timely and accurate completion of documentation in accordance with policies and procedures.
- Uses computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software in performing work assignments.
- Adheres to the department’s safety rules and regulations.
Education and Experience:
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in Social Work.
- Valid driver’s license.
- Work experience in criminal justice field and/or with marginalized populations is preferred.
Specialized training and education related to Mental Health First Aid, Crisis Intervention Training, racial equity principles and trauma-informed care is preferred. - Familiarity with local mental health resources is preferred.
- Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Must be able to lift or carry up to 10 pounds.
- Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures and operate a computer terminal.
To apply for this job please visit www.governmentjobs.com.