Veterans' Court Program Specialist

Okaloosa County Inc.; Fort Walton Beach (FL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Okaloosa County Inc. is seeking an experienced program coordinator to support the Veterans' Treatment Court (VTC) in Fort Walton Beach, FL. You will coordinate with the court, treatment providers and VA, maintain data in the DCCM system, and ensure policy compliance and best practices.

The role includes participant assessments, service planning, and weekly monitoring, with responsibilities for training, file management and interagency collaboration to connect veterans with essential resources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Criminal Justice, Social Science or closely related field, supplemented by a minimum of three (3) years of experience in mental health, social services, or closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel required.
• Master's Degree is preferred.
• Experience with Veteran Service Organizations or Veteran Court programs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Acts as primary liaison between the court, treatment providers and Veterans' Administration for the Veterans' Treatment Court (VTC) program; ensures program meets State certification requirements.
• Maintains and monitors statistics and outcomes specific to the VTC program.
• Inputs client data into the Drug Court Case Management (DCCM) database and system.
• Analyzes processes and procedures and provides recommendations for changes and/or new policies and procedures, ensures best practices are applied in the program; maintains and updates as necessary, the policy and procedure manual and participant handbook and identifies new referral sources adding them to the existing resource database.
• Ensures the Veterans' Court team adheres to program policies and protocols as well as HIPPA, confidentiality laws and other state and local privacy regulations; obtains releases for all parties to be contacted on behalf of each participant.
• Assists with coordination of Veterans' Court team training opportunities and maintains records of completed training sessions.
• Assists in the identification and screening process of Veteran defendants with criminal charges to ascertain eligibility for VTC Program.
• Facilitates the orientation for incoming participants, including distribution and explanation of the participant handbook and its content.
• Assists in the development of an individualized client service plan in cooperation with representatives of the criminal justice system, treatment facilities, and other community veterans’ services in response to client needs.
• Conducts initial assessments of participant needs; coordinates participants referrals, admission, intake screening and discharge planning; involves participants in individualized treatment planning through the Veterans' Justice Outreach Officer and community providers.
• Maintains contact and conducts weekly individual monitoring sessions with participants on assigned case load; reports to the court for each participants treatment progress and any non-adherence treatment issues.
• Attends pre-court staff meetings and court proceedings; provides accurate and updated information to the court at staffing and court appearances.
• Closely monitors progress of participants through effective communication with treatment providers, probation officers, Veterans' Justice Outreach Officer and other team members.
• Links participants to appropriate community resources, including mental health and trauma services, housing assistance, vocation counseling, public assistance and educational services.
• Develops cooperative and professional working relationships with all available veteran offices and supporting activities (e.g., contracted service providers); acts as a liaison to various Veterans' Service Organizations (DAV, VFW, American Legion, AMVETS, etc.) and the VA Vet Center and VJO.
• Coordinates and maintains all Veterans court participant files and progress reports; prepares and submits timely progress reports on each participant to Judge and team.
• Coordinates, schedules and attends quarterly team meetings; schedules site visits and court graduations.
• Monitors office and program expenditures; audits invoices and travel reimbursement requests.
• Assists Veterans' Court Judge, attends in-service and educational training as assigned.
• Provides the Director with up-to-date reporting on participant outcomes, treatment agency performance and other reports as requested; reports any program issues or concerns.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Policy development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Criminal Justice, Social Science or closely related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

Okaloosa County Inc. is seeking an experienced program coordinator to support the Veterans' Treatment Court (VTC) in Fort Walton Beach, FL. You will coordinate with the court, treatment providers and VA, maintain data in the DCCM system, and ensure policy compliance and best practices.

The role includes participant assessments, service planning, and weekly monitoring, with responsibilities for training, file management and interagency collaboration to connect veterans with essential resources.