Behavioral Health Specialist

Salary: $31.25 per hour

The Community Safety Crisis and Incident Response Through Community-Led Engagement (C.I.R.C.L.E.) program is a 24/7 unarmed response program that deploys a team of mental health professionals and individuals with lived experience to address non-violent LAPD calls related to unhoused individuals experiencing crisis. Through this public health approach, the City is able to improve community safety and outcomes for Angelenos in need of social services and support. The goals of the program are to: (1) disrupt the reciprocal relationship between homelessness and the criminal justice system by promptly responding to diverted non-violent incidents related to persons experiencing homelessness (PEH); (2) de-escalate and stabilize incidents involving unhoused individuals; and (3) create enduring positive outcomes for those individuals through trauma informed rapport building, connections to services and resources, and case management.  

The Behavioral Health Specialist functions as part of a two-person Response Team (RT) consisting of a Behavioral Health Specialist and Peer Recovery Specialist. RTs will rapidly respond to diverted incidents from the City, including, but not limited to, LAPD, designated City agencies, and City-designated partners. The diverted incidents will pertain to PEH and will include, but will not be limited to, welfare checks, loitering or trespassing, inadequate clothing, noise disturbances, mental health-related disturbances, a person under the influence of a substance, requests for assistance, syringe disposal, verbal disputes, and transport to shelter/resources. Under the supervision of the C.I.R.C.L.E. Program Manager and the Chief Program Officer, the Behavioral Health Specialist provides leadership in responding to diverted incidents and will also work to coordinate with local stakeholders to connect PEH to applicable services, programs and benefits. 

This is a temporary, grant-funded, full-time, benefited position. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides leadership as part of a two-person Response Team (RT). 
• Collaborate across the Program and the homeless service system to achieve the objectives of the program; 
• Minimize service duplication and maximize service delivery by coordinating outreach efforts and care with Service Planning Area lead agencies and other homeless outreach teams within CIRCLE areas. 
• Provide de-escalation and stabilization interventions; 
• Conduct outreach and engagement; 
• Minimize possible interactions with law enforcement by providing information regarding City ordinances and other restrictions, such as ADA accessibility, and promoting “good neighbor” practices. 
• Establish rapport and build trusting and collaborative relationships with street-based homeless individuals. 
• Enroll unhoused individuals in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and update client information in HMIS. 
• Conduct a Coordinated Entry System (CES) assessment whenever possible in order to link to permanent housing opportunities. 
• Complete the appropriate CES triage and assessment tool and enter it into HMIS. The CES triage and assessment tool shall be conducted face-to-face (or, in special circumstances, telephonically) and shall include an evaluation of medical, psychosocial, environmental, legal, financial, and educational needs, as well as individuals’ strengths and available resources. 
• Ensure clients are assessed for income and public benefits. Clients who do not have SSI, SSDI, CAPI and/or Veteran’s benefits shall be linked to the Countywide Benefits Entitlement Services Team (CBEST) for further assessment and provide advocacy services as appropriate. 
• Conduct intake and assessment activities with homeless individuals, including assisting with gathering housing eligibility documentation such as birth certificates and other forms of identification. 
• Provide referrals and connections to resources and supportive services. 
• Provide transportation assistance when feasible and appropriate. 
• Ensure that high-acuity clients are connected with the appropriate resources, including the Department of Mental Health, Department of Health Services, and multi-disciplinary teams. 
• Monitor and follow up with individuals and service providers to confirm the timely completion of referrals and linkages, access to services and maintenance of services, documentation of follow-up, service status, and attainment in HMIS. 
• Assist in the transportation of unhoused individuals during adverse weather events or city-declared emergencies. 
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Behavioral Health Specialists must complete all required CIRCLE pre-deployment training and any applicable or refresher training; have one of the following qualifications:
  • A bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, behavioral science, public health, nursing, criminal justice, or another related human services field and at least two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience providing behavioral health crisis intervention, homeless outreach, case management, emergency response, or comparable community-based services; or 
  • An associate's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, behavioral science, public health, nursing, criminal justice, or another related human services field and at least four (4) years of professional experience providing behavioral health crisis intervention, homeless outreach, case management, emergency response, or comparable community-based services; or 
  • A Peer Support Specialist certification AND a Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CADAC/CCAPP) AND at least four (4) years professional experience providing behavioral health crisis intervention, homeless outreach, case management, emergency response, or comparable community-based services. 
• The Behavioral Health Specialist shall demonstrate competency in: ○ Trauma-informed care; 
  • Crisis intervention and de-escalation; 
  • Motivational interviewing; 
  • Harm reduction; 
  • Recognition of signs and symptoms of mental illness and substance use disorders; 
  • Community resource navigation; and 
  • Participant-centered engagement. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Residence within the Zones, zip codes, or Council Districts of the Pacific CIRCLE Zone: El Segundo, Westchester, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista, Mar Vista, Venice, Palms.  

• Advanced level of knowledge of the client population and their complex needs including homelessness, financial instability, medical and mental health, and substance abuse.
• Experience in a community-based setting serving ethnically diverse, low-income clients. Knowledge of community resources and experience in community settings.
• Ability to use computers/internet to look up information and enter relevant notes.
• Conflict resolution skills. 
• Customer service orientation. 
• Analytical ability and skills to handle and solve complex issues and problems. 
• Computer knowledge/skills or ability to learn.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Language capability: Spanish 

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Must possess a valid California Divers License.
• Driver must be 21+ with none of the following in the past 3 years: any 2-point convictions; or more than (2) moving violations; or more than (1) moving violation and (1) at-fault or a passenger handling accident.
• Successfully pass the background check

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

1. Must be in good physical condition and capable of performing job duties requiring frequent use of the entire body including ability to stand, walk, climb stairs, sit, drive for extended periods of time, exit and enter vehicles throughout your work shift.
2. Ability to use a computer, phone or office equipment for extended periods of time. 
3. Ability to successfully and efficiently complete tasks in an environment where background noise is present and interruptions may be constant.
4. Must be able to lift a minimum of 35 lbs.
5. With instruction, the ability to assist persons with disabilities and to help transfer a 180 lb person and lift wheel chair in and out of a car or van.

Stand     Constantly

Walk     Constantly

Sit     Frequently

Handling / Fingering    Constantly

Reach Outward     Occasionally

Reach Above Shoulder Occasionally

Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend Occasionally

Lift / Carry Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs

Push/Pull Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs

Talk/ Hear Constantly

See Constantly

Taste/ Smell Not Applicable

Not Applicable  Not required for essential functions

Occasionally      (0 - 2 hrs/day)

Frequently    (2 - 5 hrs/day)

Constantly    (5+ hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Travel outside to various locations and on occasion, general office setting, indoors temperature controlled

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.

Heluna Health is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer that encourages minorities, women, veterans, and disabled to apply.