Criminal Justice Liaison

The Mental Health Center of East-Central Kansas Inc; Emporia (KS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

CrossWinds is seeking a Criminal Justice Liaison in Emporia, KS to identify mental health needs among justice-involved individuals and coordinate early interventions and re-entry supports.

This full-time case management role reports to the Criminal Justice Supervisor, requires regular travel to collaborate with jails and law enforcement, maintains records, and links clients to services while meeting licensure requirements. Work hours are 8:00 am–5:00 pm, Monday–Friday.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree plus two years’ experience in health and human services or four years’ experience in health and human services.
• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or counseling preferred.
• Must complete Case Management Training and provide certificate within 6 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with judicial and public safety officials as needed.
• Meet or exceed the productivity targets for client contact hours.
• Coordinate information, questionnaires, care coordination, and community re-entry support for incarcerated individuals.
• Develop and oversee local Stepping Up initiatives.
• Coordinate referrals and delivery of services among community agencies and organization.
• Research, collect, analyze, and prepare data.
• Provide outreach and education to the community about available programs.
• Maintain accurate client records and timely paperwork per agency requirements.
• Develop knowledge of community resources to access services for clients.
• Maintain professional relationships with clients and partners.
• Attend workshops to maintain licensure and professional skills.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Public safety coordination

Independent work

Therapeutic team collaboration

Education

Associate’s degree + 2 years in health/human services OR 4 years in health/human services

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or counseling (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

Criminal Justice Liaison

Department

Community Support Services (CSS)

Created

1/18/2024

Reports to

Criminal Justice Supervisor

Revised

8/29/2024

FLSA Status

Non-exempt

EEO - 1

Service Workers

Position Type

Full Time

Travel

Regular travel within service area to collaborate with jails and law enforcement is required.

Work Hours

Mon – Fri, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Positions Supervised

None

Summary

The Criminal Justice Liaison (CJL) plays a key role in developing and implementing processes for the early identification of individuals with mental health concerns within the criminal justice system. This case management position is dedicated to supporting justice-involved populations, with a primary focus on reducing recidivism through targeted interventions and support services while incarcerated and in the community.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Works with judicial systems and public safety officials to provide debriefing and collaboration as needed.
• Meets or exceeds the productivity expectations of client contact hours set for position.
• Assists with accessing information and resources, administering questionnaires, providing care coordination, and community re-entry support to individuals in a correctional setting.
• Develops and provides oversight of local Stepping Up initiatives.
• Provides and coordinates necessary referrals and delivery of services among community agencies, employment contacts, and within the organization to ensure that client is receiving necessary services.
• Researches, collects, analyzes, and prepares data.
• Provides outreach and education to the community and local organizations about programs and services available.
• Maintains accurate and complete records of all client services, as defined by state licensing agencies, funding agencies, and CrossWinds standards and requirements. Submits daily appointment sheets, progress notes, treatment plans, timesheets, and all work-related paperwork in a timely manner and in acceptable format as determined by agency requirements.
• Develops knowledge of community resources and how to access these services for the benefit of clients.
• Establishes and maintains a positive working relationship and professional demeanor with clients, external community partners, CrossWinds staff members, and visitors.
• Attends professional workshops and seminars in order to maintain and improve professional skills and meet licensure/certification requirements.

Work Environment

This job operates in a community setting, including the judicial system, as well as in a professional office setting. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; handle objects; grasp and reach for items with hands and arms; manipulate hands and fingers; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. The employee is required to become certified in Managing Aggressive Behaviors (MAB), which includes training in proper restraint/physical intervention techniques to be utilized as a last resort. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Language skills are required, including the ability to read, write, comprehend, and speak the English language. This position also requires the ability to interpret written materials, write reports and business correspondence, and effectively present and respond to questions.

Important Information

This job description has been examined for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The agency has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee’s ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the agency reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the agency may deem appropriate.

Requirements

Skills & Abilities

Education & Experience

Associate’s degree plus two years’ experience in the health and human services field OR four years’ experience in the health and human services field is required. Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or counseling is preferred.

Certifications & Licenses

Must complete Case Management Training and provide certificate within 6 months of hire.

Computer Skills

Computer experience in Microsoft Office programs and basic computer fluency.

Additional Qualifications

Ability to work with persons with severe and persistent mental illness; ability to work independently and as a member of a therapeutic team; possess demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to react effectively in a variety of human service situations.