Early Diversion Outreach Specialist

Community Counseling Center, Cape Girardeau, MO; Cape Girardeau (MO); On-site; USD 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Health insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Birthday off

Job summary

The Community Counseling Center in Cape Girardeau, MO seeks an Early Diversion Outreach Specialist to provide short-term outreach, engagement, and care coordination for adults living with mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders who may be at risk of criminal justice involvement.

Responsibilities include building rapport in the community, coordinating with behavioral health providers, emergency responders, law enforcement, and partners; offering education; completing screenings;

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or four-year combination of higher education and qualifying experience required.
• Must hold MO Class E Driver's License (Class D for IL Residents) by start date.
• Proof of continuous Auto Insurance required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct community outreach and engagement to identify adults with mental illness and co-occurring disorders at risk of criminal justice involvement.
• Build collaborative relationships with law enforcement, EMS, hospitals, behavioral health providers, courts, and community partners to promote early diversion.
• Screen individuals for behavioral health needs and assist with early identification of mental health and substance use concerns.
• Provide brief engagement, motivational support, and crisis stabilization services to encourage treatment participation.
• Coordinate care by linking individuals with behavioral health, substance use treatment, housing, employment, and other supports.
• Maintain follow-up and navigation services until linkage to long-term treatment; typically up to three months.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Four-year combination

Four years of qualifying experience

Job description

Schedule

Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm (Times may vary; occasional evening or weekend maybe required)

Location

Cape Girardeau, MO (Cape County)

Pay Non - Exempt

$20.00 - $22.40 per hour (Depending on experience)

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, or
• Any four-year combination of higher education and qualifying experience, or
• Four years of qualifying experience
• Must hold or obtain by start date, MO Class E Driver's License (Class D for IL Residents), and proof of continuous Auto Insurance.

Job Summary

As an Early Diversion Outreach Specialist, you'll provide short-term outreach, engagement, and care coordination for adults living with mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders who may be at risk of criminal justice involvement. This role exists to help people connect to the right behavioral health supports earlier-before crises elevate.

Key responsibilities include building rapport in the community; coordinating with behavioral health providers, healthcare organizations, emergency responders, law enforcement, and other partners; offering behavioral health education; completing screenings; providing motivational support; and linking individuals to appropriate treatment and community resources. You'll also support community education and training efforts that strengthen awareness and referral pathways.

Job Duties

1. Conduct community outreach and engagement activities to identify adults with mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders who are at risk of criminal justice involvement.
2. Build collaborative relationships with law enforcement, EMS, fire departments, hospitals, behavioral health providers, courts, and other community partners to promote early diversion and improve referral pathways.
3. Screen individuals for behavioral health needs and assist with early identification of mental health and substance use concerns.
4. Provide brief engagement, motivational support, and crisis stabilization services to encourage participation in treatment and recovery.
5. Coordinate care by connecting individuals with appropriate behavioral health, substance use treatment, healthcare, housing, employment, and other community support services based on individual needs.
6. Maintain ongoing follow-up and navigation services until individuals are successfully linked to long-term treatment and recovery supports, with services generally lasting no more than three months.
7. Educate individuals, families, and community partners regarding available behavioral health services, evidence-based treatment options, and recovery resources.
8. Assist with the development, coordination, and delivery of community education and training on behavioral health, substance use disorders, suicide prevention, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and early diversion practices.
9. Participate in community system mapping, coalition meetings, and collaborative planning efforts to strengthen local early diversion initiatives.
10. When available and appropriate, Early Diversion Outreach Specialists will respond alongside law enforcement officers and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel during behavioral health-related calls for service.
11. Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential documentation of outreach activities, referrals, service coordination, and client progress in accordance with agency policies and grant requirements.
12. Document in the electronic health record and other systems as required by programming.
13. Collect and report required program data and outcome measures to support grant compliance and program evaluation.
14. Participate in required supervision, staff meetings, professional development, and ongoing training.
15. Perform other duties as assigned to support the goals of the Early Diversion Program and Community Counseling Center.

Why You'll Love Working at CCC (Community Counseling Center)

• 24 Paid days off your first year + Birthday Off
• 7 Paid Holidays
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Company - Paid Life & LTD Insurance
• Retirement Plan with auto - enrollment
• And More

Community Counseling Center (CCC) is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristics protected by law.

CCC will consider requests for reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, etc. please contact [e-mail] to speak with us about your needs.