CASE MANAGER

Position Summary

Under the general direction and guidance of the Managed Assigned Counsel office, this position is part of the indigent defense team. Directly communicates with the appointed counsel to assist with mitigation strategy determination and defendant advocacy. The Case Manager will serve as the Mental Health Managed Assigned Counsel Program specialist and will conduct interviews with clients, collect information and complete documentation, monitor client progress, refer clients for service and other duties as assigned. Responsible for identifying, screening, motivating, and monitoring clients in the Mental Health Managed Assigned Counsel Program as well as linking them with appropriate mentors and services and sharing bimonthly information updates with the Mental Health Court team. The principal focus of this role is to provide close supervision of the participants on their caseload to ensure treatment compliance and progress while making changes in level of care when required. Frequent communication and/or contact with treatment providers is a primary part of the caseload supervision.

Essential Functions

• Screen clients for mental health needs during intake process
• Screen, collect and complete documentation needed for eligibility and referral
• Coordinate all services including treatment, social services, housing, education, vocational training, medical, psychiatric, and legal to ensure that all admitted participants meet all criteria for phase movement and graduation.
• Collect grant data as required
• Timely enter all information into the required data programs
• Assist clients with problem solving and resolution
• Develop treatment plan for client based on needs
• Coordinate with service agencies, organizations and vendors to provide appropriate services and make appropriate level of care referral to social service, education, and/or health agencies as needed
• Serve as an advocate on behalf of the client
• Provide case management services for defendants including referrals for mental health and/or substance abuse treatment; assistance with housing, education, and employment
• Relate all case information to the appointed defense attorney and Managed Counsel Attorney
• Participate as a team member during specialized case dockets and staffing meetings
• Collaborate and coordinate with jail staff to ensure client needs are addressed
• Ensure client-privileged communications are maintained
• Provide statistical information as required
• Follow up with clients on an as-needed basis for several months following disposition
• Serve as mental health liaison between courts, jail and local mental health authority and conduct court advocacy with prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges
• Maintain at least in person weekly contact with the participant and treatment provider for those clients in residential and outpatient treatment settings
• Assist with outreach efforts to the local communities.
• Ensure effective communications among/between all stakeholders
• Participate in professional development as available and appropriate
• Regular attendance and timeliness are required
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION:
Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in social services, chemical dependency, criminal justice or closely related field

• Licensed as LCDC, LPC, LMSW, LCSW or other related field (intern license considered)

• At least two (2) years of experience in social services, chemical dependency, criminal justice or closely related field preferred
• Must have valid Texas Driver’s License
• Must be eligible for security clearance to court facilities
• Ability to deal effectively with clients, the public, McLennan County employees and elected officials
• General knowledge of social services agencies in the community and the services they offer
• Ability to work well with and coordinate with social services agencies and criminal justice agencies within the community and establish and maintain effective working relationships with attorneys, representatives of other agencies, family members of clients, the public and co-workers
• Familiar with DSM-V
• Skilled in determining client needs and aiding clients; interviewing techniques; problem solving and decision-making
• Ability to keep accurate notes and records and enter criteria into specialized database
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to complete assignments within tight deadlines and under high-pressure circumstances
• Strong computer, management and organizational skills as well as interpersonal skills
• Ability to prepare and present clear, concise and comprehensive reports
• Ability to obtain information through interviews and to testify in court proceedings if requested
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload to manage cases efficiently
• Ability to adjust to workload changes and work under stress to meet deadlines; work effectively and courteously under high-pressure circumstances and demonstrate sound, mature judgment in use of human and financial resources

Supplemental Information

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is constantly required to work under time pressures to meet deadlines; the employee must frequently change tasks, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, and work closely with others as part of a team. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear
• The employee frequently is required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; use hands to find, handle, or feel objects, reach with hands and arms; stoop and kneel

McLennan County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudications in the past seven years and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records, and educational attainment. A conviction or deferred adjudication is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered individually.