Mental Health Court Liaison

The Mental Health Court Liaison, in collaboration with the Behavioral Health and Wellness (BHW) Court at 45^th District Court and the Adult Treatment Court (ATC) at the 6^th Circuit Court, provides information, referrals, screening, and assessment of eligibility for public mental health services in Oakland County for adults with mental illness, intellectual/developmental disabilities, substance use disorders and/or co-occurring disorders. This position provides a preliminary plan regarding treatment recommendation, as well as provides coordination and collaboration with other entities that support individuals in meeting their immediate needs.

• • Conducts a mental health/substance use screening, and applicable assessment tools, of potential participants in a time frame agreed upon by the parties. 
  • Provides preliminary plan regarding treatment recommendation for each accepted participant. 
  • Provides on-going case management for each participant, specifically by monitoring compliance and progress with the treatment plan. Coordinates with treatment provider as needed.
  • Serves as the primary team member that arranges services for treatment, employment and/or education, housing, and any other ancillary services.
  • Identifies primary agency(s) for participants to be referred for mental health services and/or co-occurring disorders services. Schedules intakes with OCHN’s provider network.
  • Provides description of services including admissions and discharge criteria available to BHW Court participants and notify the court in writing of any changes in program services offered. 
  • Communicates maximum time frames needed for conducting the initial mental health screening and assessments and start date of treatment program after acceptance into BHW Court or ATC.
  • Coordinates with treatment provider regarding compliance and progress reports. Provide information to court, as needed.
  • Develops preferred methods, forms, and timetables for exchanging information between agency and mental health court personnel regarding agency related progress and compliance of program participants, including appointment attendance, medication compliance, drug and alcohol test results, individualized treatment plan status, progress, changes, agency discharge plans, and recommendations for continuing care or additional service needs.

  • Participates in treatment team meetings and in status review hearings.

  • Arranges and coordinates with substance use agency for substance use disorder treatment services for persons with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

  • Provides training to team members on how to screen for individuals exhibiting symptoms of mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders.

  • Provides information to the BHW Court team on relevant mental health confidentiality and recipient rights laws. 

  • Participates in training related to mental health issues and specialty Courts.

  • Performs other duties for justice specific projects, as needed, including overflow duties for existing initiatives.

Education:  

• Individual must possess a Master’s degree in a mental health field.

Training Requirements (licenses, programs, or certificates):  

• LP, LMSW, LPC, LMFT - will consider limited license with appropriate experience
• CAADC, CADC, CCS, CPS, CPC-R, CCDP, preferred.

Experience Requirements: 

• Three (3) years of experience in social work, human services, criminology, psychology, or related field.

Knowledge Requirements: 

• Knowledge of the OCHN system, providers, eligibility criteria, and community referral resources.
• Knowledge of OCHN provider network, and how to access additional community services.
• Knowledge and understanding of admission and discharge criteria for each treatment program and be able to determine and designate appropriate levels of care.
• Knowledge of DSM-IV TR and DSM-V criteria.
• Knowledge of Michigan Mental Health Code.
• Understanding of recipient rights policies.
• Understanding of trauma informed principles.
• Knowledge of LOCUS, CAFAS, CANS, and ASAM requirements.
• Knowledge of substantial functional limitations.
• Ability to use basic intervention skills.

Job Specific Competencies/Skills: 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Be able to articulate a complex service system while establishing positive rapport with individuals in need.
• Create a welcoming environment that demonstrates empathy and non-judgment.
• Demonstrates a high level of proficiency with Word, Excel, database, and other relevant software programs.
• Demonstrates a high level of interpersonal skills both in direct personal interactions and on the telephone.
• Demonstrates a high level of oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates ability to handle a high volume of relatively complex assignments accurately and timely.
• Demonstrates organizational skills needed to establish office procedures and maintain files and records.

• Interacting with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization; demonstrating loyalty to the organization and its mission and values; maintaining social, ethical, and organizational norms; firmly adhering to codes of conduct and ethical principles. (Integrity/Building Trust)
• Making customers and their needs a primary focus of one’s actions; developing and sustaining productive customer relationships, recognizing that the ultimate customer is the person served. (Customer Focus)
• Actively identifying new areas for learning; regularly creating and taking advantage of learning opportunities; using newly gained knowledge and skill on the job and learning through their application. (Continuous Learning)
• Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence in addition to consciously adopting organizational standards of excellence. (Work Standards)
• Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message. (Communication)