Court Social Worker - Project HOPE at Behavioral Health Network, Inc. in Springfield, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Description




GENERAL SUMMARY

The Court Social Worker is a Bachelor's Level Clinician based full-time onsite in the Springfield District Courthouse, primarily serving adults appearing in Hampden County's Springfield District Arraignment Court at the initial court hearing/initial detention stage to prioritize and expediate treatment and recovery services. Additionally, the Court Social Worker is responsible for post-court follow-up to facilitate warm hand-offs and help ensure successful follow-through with services. The Social Worker works closely with the BHN's Project HOPE Outreach Team, the Co-Response Team, BHN Mobile Crisis, and the Springfield Police Department.


ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS *

• Before Arraignment Court Session, works with probation and attorneys to identify adults likely eligible for access-to-care services


• Meets with eligible participants to introduce services and offer enrollment before or immediately after their arraignment


• Before or post-arraignment, screens for and triages immediate treatment and/or resource needs, including those addressing imminent risks (Overdose, Harm to Self or Others, Community Safety, etc.)


• Conducts psychosocial assessments and obtains required releases to communicate with the court and other external stakeholders on a need-to-know basis.


• Shares both treatment/service recommendations and options with participants and collaborates with them on an initial service plan to include facilitation of prompt access to care.


• Shares agreed upon treatment and service recommendations with the Court as well as progress on accessing and engaging in services, if required and with appropriate, signed BHN releases,


• Assists participants with referrals, access to care/services, including transportation and care coordination


• Builds linkages with and engage with community-based service providers to help enhance the success of participant


• Helps ensure participants are integrated with ongoing community and recovery supports

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participates in weekly calls with the Community Care Coordinator (in Springfield Police Department)


• Attends monthly HCAT meetings


• Attends Hub & Core meetings when meetings re-start


• Supports the continuing development of Arraignment Court wraparound services


• Collects and enters data to support program evaluation and research conducted by UMASS Chan Medical School and the City of Springfield;


• Maintains HIPAA-compliant clinical documentation, including biopsychosocial assessments, mental health and substance use disorder screens, contact notes, Safety/Relapse Prevention Plans as needed, and service and discharge plans.


• Helps track COSSUP grant deliverables


• Participates in regularly scheduled BHN Multidisciplinary Team meetings to inform well-coordinated care

PREPARATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Counseling Psychology, or a related field (Required)


• Additional LADC II or CADAC certification, a plus


• Experience (preferably 3-5 years) working with adults with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders


• Minimum 1 year experience working with adults experiencing chronic homelessness (Required)


• Strong familiarity with and working knowledge of Hampden County resources to support community stability and recovery (Required)


• Knowledge of evidence based and trauma-informed approaches to substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health disorders and recovery and ability to support recovery in partnership with court and law enforcement personnel


• Experience working in the courts, a plus


• Bi-lingual Spanish, a plus


• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as within a multidisciplinary treatment team


• Exceptional organization skills (Required)


• Able to work collaboratively on a multidisciplinary team (Required)


• Willing/able to travel (Required)


• Valid Driver's License, good driving record, and access to a reliable vehicle (Required)

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