Behavioral Health and Justice Liaison (Community Liaison)

Title: Behavioral Health and Justice Liaison (Community Liaison)

Starting Salary: $55,165 (Grant Funded)

Job Summary:

The Behavioral Health and Justice Liaison (Community Liaison) serves as an OCHN team member, who is embedded in the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.

The Behavioral Health and Justice Liaison utilizes the Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) approach to provide case consultation, service and system coordination, and referrals/linkage to resources for children/adults/families, who are presented to the Prosecutor’s Office with a potential legal charge and appear to benefit from mental health, substance use and/or co-occurring services.

The Behavioral Health and Justice Liaison advocates and assists to divert from formal adjudication and into appropriate intervention, whenever possible. As appropriate, the Behavioral Health and Justice Liaison provides Access screenings to arrange access to OCHN services.

Essential Functions:

Under general direction and as assigned:

• Acts as a primary liaison between OCHN, Prosecutor’s Office, Community Corrections (Pre-Trial Service Investigators), Oakland County Circuit Court, Children’s Village, Provider Network, and other community partners, as identified.
• Utilizes the Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) approach. Completes the AUDIT, DAST and/or other identified screening tools as needed.
• Completes Access Eligibility Screenings to determine eligibility for Medicaid specialty services by utilizing clinical level of care tools (CAFAS, LOCUS, ASAM). 
• As needed, coordinates with OCHN Access Department and/or Sober Support Unit for higher level of care substance use disorder treatment services for persons with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. 
• Coordinates with OCHN Justice Initiatives Liaisons.
• Provides crisis intervention services to individuals, as needed.
• Has knowledge of multiple community resources and link/coordinate these resources to individuals who are in need and/or do not meet criteria for OCHN services.
• Connects out-of-county individuals with appropriate CMH contact.  
• Ensures necessary “Consents to Share Behavioral Health Information” are obtained to allow for cross-system collaboration.  Shares and retrieves information with the Prosecutor’s Office, judges and other beneficial parties involved.
• Documents all interactions in Electronic Medical Record for person served through OCHN provider network.
• Develops and follows protocols and procedures.  
• Develops rapport and maintain strong working relationship with Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office and other community partners.
• Identifies gaps, system barriers and community needs through Interagency collaboration.  
• Prepares verbal, written and statistical reports, while observing appropriate regulatory content and timeline requirements. Evaluate individual and community impact, and overall effectiveness of position.  Tracks and collects data points, as identified.
• Participates in project phone calls, meetings, learning collaboratives, coaching calls, and TA opportunities. 
• Participates in local taskforces, committees, workshops, and conferences.
• Additional duties, as assigned.

Education Requirements: 

• Master’s degree in a mental health field. 

Training Requirements (licenses, programs, or certificates):   

• State of Michigan licenses, certification and / or registrations as Psychologist (LP), Social Worker (LMSW), Counselor (LPC), or Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Will consider limited license with appropriate experience.
• CAADC, preferred.
• CAFAS, LOCUS and ASAM training, preferred.

Experience Requirements:

• 1-2 years psychiatric experience in one or more of the following areas: crisis work, screening, and assessment of children and adults with mental health, substance use, and/or developmental disabilities.  
• Preferred: Experience in the OCHN public mental health system.

Required Competencies

• Demonstrates high level of interpersonal skills both in direct personal interactions and on the telephone. 
• Demonstrates ability to work independently in the field, while also functioning as a member of a larger team.  
• Demonstrates effective problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrates high level of oral and written communication skills. 
• Demonstrated effective computer skills.

In addition, the following are preferred competencies:

• Demonstrated experience in data collection, report writing and outcome measurement.
• Demonstrates understanding and commitment to honoring the choice of individuals served by OCHN and, if applicable, its provider network.
• Demonstrates ability to handle a high volume of relatively complex assignments accurately and timely. 
• Demonstrates organizational skills needed to establish procedures and maintain files and records. 
• Knowledge of the OCHN system, providers, eligibility criteria, and community referral resources.   
• Knowledge of court processes.
• Knowledge of DSM-IV TR and DSM-V criteria. 
• Knowledge of Michigan Mental Health Code. 
• Understanding of recipient rights policies. 

Core Competencies

(Applicable to all OCHN Job Classifications)

• Interacting with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization; maintaining social, ethical, and organizational norms; firmly adhering to codes of conduct and ethical principles. (Integrity/Building Trust)
• Making customers and their needs a primary focus of one’s actions; developing and sustaining productive customer relationships, recognizing that the ultimate customer is the individuals served. (Customer Focus)
• Actively identifying new areas for learning; regularly creating and taking advantage of learning opportunities; using newly gained knowledge and skill on the job and learning through their application. (Continuous Learning)
• Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence in addition to consciously adopting organizational standards of excellence. (Work Standards)
• Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message. (Communication)

Special Information

• Work performed primarily at the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office: 1200 N. Telegraph, Pontiac, MI 48341
• Must have available means of transportation to and from OCHN and for required offsite meetings.
• Must be available for Board meetings and other required events which may occur outside of standard office hours.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Michigan driver’s license.
• This position is funded by a grant from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.