Behavioral Health Navigator

Safer Foundation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Safer Foundation, a social service provider aiding individuals with arrest and conviction records, seeks a Behavioral Health Navigator to bridge incarceration and community reintegration. The role entails screening, assessment, and facilitating groups focused on mental wellness within a dual pre-release and community setting.

Responsibilities include maintaining a 25-person caseload, coordinating service plans, navigating Medicaid/SNAP benefits, and linking clients to housing, employment, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or related field.
• Minimum of 2 years in substance use treatment, mental health, or reentry service.
• Individuals with lived experience in recovery or justice system preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year of case management experience required.
• Experience with high-risk or acute behavioral health populations preferred.
• Experience facilitating group therapy or psychoeducational workshops.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial behavioral health screenings and health-related social-needs assessments within 24-48 hours to determine immediate clinical needs.
• Facilitate psychoeducational groups focused on mental wellness, trauma recovery, and stabilization.
• Maintain a caseload of at least 25 individuals with regular contact and progress monitoring.
• Develop and implement individualized service plans incorporating behavioral health treatment and reentry support.
• Assist clients with Medicaid/SNAP applications and coverage activation prior to release.
• Coordinate warm handoffs to treatment providers, housing resources, employment services, and community organizations.
• Advocate for participants to address systemic barriers to reentry and access to social services.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Justice-involved populations

Trauma-informed care

Evidence-based counseling

Microsoft Office

Electronic health records

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field

Tools

CareLogic

Salesforce

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)

Zoom/Teams

Job description

The Safer Foundation is a social service provider to individuals with arrest and conviction records. Through a full range of services, including case management, educational instruction and advocacy, we focus on preparing individuals for the world of work by helping them find and keep productive and meaningfulemployment

General Summary:

This position is grant-funded. This position is subject to background check.

Reporting to the Behavioral Health Navigator Team Lead, the Behavioral Health Navigator serves a critical role in bridging the gap between incarceration and community reintegration for individuals with acute to high-risk behavioral health needs. This position operates within a dual-setting framework, working in both a pre-release correctional and community reentry setting based on participant need.

The Behavioral Health Navigator is responsible for providing comprehensive clinical reentry services, including initial screenings and assessments, and facilitating groups focused on mental wellness. By maintaining a caseload of approximately 25 high-needs participants, the Navigator ensures continuity of care, addressing social determinants of health and clinical barriers to successful reentry.

Performance Results Description

The Position is properly performed when all essential duties and responsibilities are executed by following the Safer Values.

Exceeding Expectations, Communication and Collaboration, Integrity, and Evidence-Based Innovation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Interface:

• Conduct initial behavioral health screenings and health-related social-needs assessments (including ASAM, IM+CANS, and biopsychosocial reentry assessments) within 24-48 hours of engagement to determine immediate clinical and reentry needs.
• Facilitate psychoeducational groups focused on mental wellness, trauma recovery, and stabilization to prepare clients for release and community adjustment.
• Maintain a dedicated caseload of at least 25 individuals, ensuring regular contact, engagement, and monitoring of progress toward clinical and reentry goals.
• Develop and implement individualized service plans that incorporate both behavioral health treatment and pre-release/reentry support needs.
• Assist clients in navigating and applying for Medicaid/SNAP benefits and reactivating coverage to ensure immediate access to healthcare upon release.
• Coordinate warm handoffs to appropriate treatment providers, housing resources, employment services, and community-based organizations.
• Advocate for participants by addressing systemic barriers to reentry, legal issues, and access to social services.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Outreach

• Actively participate in integrated staffings with internal teams, correctional staff, and external providers to coordinate care and case planning.

Tracking, Document and Reporting

• Maintain accurate client records, case notes, and treatment plans in Salesforce, CareLogic, and other electronic health record systems in compliance with agency standards.
• Track client referrals and follow up on service engagement and outcomes.
  Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Strong understanding of justice-involved populations, the barriers they face, and the dynamics of working within correctional facilities.
  • Familiarity with evidence-based counseling techniques (Motivational Interviewing, CBT, DBT, etc.), trauma-informed care, and ASAM criteria.
  • Proficiency in electronic health record systems such as CareLogic, as well as Microsoft Office applications.
  • Knowledge of Illinois Medicaid, Rule 132, Rule 2060, and HIPAA/confidentiality
  • Ability to engage and build trust with diverse client populations, including those with histories of incarceration, trauma, and severe mental illness.
  • Hands-on experience and self-sufficiency with Microsoft productivity tools, including Outlook (for email), Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), and online collaboration tools (video conferencing, Zoom/Teams, messaging).
  Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor’s Degree required in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or a related human services field.
  • Minimum of 2 years of experience in a substance use treatment, mental health, or reentry service.
  • Individuals with lived experience in recovery and/or the justice system are highly preferred.
  • Minimum of 1 year of case management experience required.
  • Experience working with high-risk or acute behavioral health populations is highly preferred.
  • Experience facilitating group therapy or psychoeducational workshops.
  Licenses and or Certifications:
  • Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) preferred.
  • Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), or equivalent credentials preferred.
  Background Check: This role is subject to a background check in accordance with Illinois Medicaid Rule 132 to render behavioral health services in a licensed facility, and the Illinois Department of Corrections access to correctional facilities

  Safer Foundation is a drug-free workplace

  Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Minorities/Females/Veterans

  www.saferfoundation.org

  No Phone Calls Please

  Equal Opportunity Employer
  This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.