Job Description

Job Title: Social Worker – Night Intake Specialist Manhattan Criminal Court

Reports to: Program Coordinator

Overview: The Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES), a downtown Manhattan based alternative to incarceration agency, seeks a social worker to conduct screening evaluation interviews in the busy Manhattan Criminal Court arraignment parts. Working during the night shift, 4pm to 12am, the social worker will identify participants for the CASES diversion programs for people with serious mental illness and adults at risk of jail sentences. The social worker conducts screenings, clinical screening evaluations and court advocacy to ensure eligible individuals are diverted from a jail sentence into our program services. We are a mission driven organization committed to the use of community sanctions that are fair, affordable, and consistent with public safety. The social worker provides court coverage to facilitate the engagement of eligible defendants arraigned during night. The social worker initiates referrals from defense attorneys and has competence screening individuals with behavioral health problems, providing diagnostic impressions and findings, and effective communication skills to work successfully within the courtroom arena.

We are looking for a skilled clinician able to evaluate serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders and direct participants to the appropriate program. The social worker needs to be an effective advocate able to concisely explain to judges why the defendant would be suitable for the CASES program.

Responsibilities:

·  Screen court paperwork to identify eligible individuals based on program legal eligibility criteria;

·  Conduct screening interview using program protocol to inform eligible defendants about program services and engage them to consider the ATI disposition for the resolution of their case;

·  Administer and score standardized instruments per the program protocol during the eligibility screening process in Court;

·  Conduct clinical screening interviews for women and defendants that are flagged by standardized screening instruments as having indications of mental health needs. Provide initial diagnostic impressions and screening confirmation of suitability for community case management services;

·  Communicate with community treatment providers and significant others such as family members, housing providers available at night and shelter providers to establish participants’ status in treatment and the appropriateness of participation in the CASES programs and to establish collaboration strategies to support court advocacy and diversion engagement;

·  Work collaboratively with court staff including court officers, defense attorneys, assistant district attorneys and judges to facilitate program admissions;

·  Advocate for the individual’s admission to the program by appearing before the criminal court judge to explain the defendant’s suitability for our program services;

·  Conduct outreach with defense attorneys to ensure they utilize our program services in suitable cases;

·  Conduct outreach to criminal court judges to ensure they are familiar with program services and program outcomes to support our advocacy efforts;

·  Assist as needed in providing program compliance information to the Court;

·  Meet monthly intake goals established by supervisory staff;

·  Enter screening and intake information into program database;

·  Provide motivational interventions to individuals released to the program to ensure they complete the court mandate;

·  Inform case management staff about directives given by judges to individuals released to participate in program;

·  Provide case management staff with critical information about participants to support their ability to engage and respond to participants risks and need;

·  Work with program case management staff and supervisor to conduct outreach as needed to facilitate participant completion of program services;

·  Provide culturally competent services in accordance with CASES policies and practice;

·  Complete any other duties as required by the Program Coordinator and supervisory staff.

Position entails a 35 hour a week commitment from Wednesday – Sunday between the hours of 4:00 pm and 12:00 am.

Qualifications:

·  Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW);

·  At least three years of experience providing services to adults withs serious mental illness and behavioral health problems;

·  Experience conducting screening interviews;

·  Knowledge of the criminal justice system, court processes and alternative to incarceration services;

·  Spanish speaking a plus.

Salary: Commensurate with experience

How to apply: E-mail cover letter and resume with salary history and requirements in Rich Text Format (RTF) or Word 2002 format to . Please list the title of the position you are applying for in the subject line. No phone calls please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

CASES is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment with CASES is based solely on qualifications and competence for a particular position, without regard to race, color, ethnic or national origin, age, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or marital, military, or citizenship status. We also actively recruit individuals with prior involvement in the criminal justice system.

Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services

346 Broadway 3rd Floor West, New York, New York 10013-3971 Telephone (212) 732-0076 Fax (212) 571-0292