Social Worker, Brooklyn Felony Diversion

Social Worker Opportunity

The Center for Justice Innovation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community safety and racial justice. With a team of over 900 staff and an annual budget of $130 million, the Center carries out its mission through three core strategies: operating programs that pilot new ideas and address local challenges; conducting original research to evaluate what works—and what doesn't; and providing expert assistance and policy guidance to reformers across the country and beyond.

The Brooklyn Mental Health Court (BMHC) launched in 2002 as NYC's first mental health court, serving individuals charged primarily with felony offenses who are living with serious mental illness. The program diverts participants from jail or prison by conducting clinical assessments and then connecting them with long-term treatment in the community, along with rigorous judicial monitoring. The Brooklyn Felony ATI Program utilizes a similar model to Brooklyn Mental Health Court, serving individuals facing felony charges who are not otherwise eligible for Mental Health Court or other treatment courts in Brooklyn.

BMHC is seeking a Social Worker for its Brooklyn Felony Diversion programs. The Social Worker will serve individuals who are mandated to Felony Alternative to Incarceration (Felony ATI) programming through the Brooklyn Supreme Court. Reporting to the Clinical Director, the Social Worker is responsible for conducting psychosocial assessments, linking clients to a range of wrap-around services, providing comprehensive trauma-informed case management, compliance monitoring, and reporting for clients referred to the Brooklyn Mental Health Court and Brooklyn Felony ATI programs.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial clinical assessments, draft reports, and provide recommendations to court parties for services and treatment;
• Provide clinically-informed case management services to participants that address issues such as substance use, mental health issues, trauma, domestic violence, housing, and educational/vocational needs; and other challenges in client's life (e.g. new arrests, family court cases and other civil legal issues);
• Manage and monitor compliance with treatment mandates, including care coordination with providers and obtaining compliance updates for court;
• Work to ensure the provision of high-quality, evidence-based, and culturally responsive clinical assessments and treatment services across the site;
• Provide written and verbal participant reports to the court and other court staff (e.g. prosecutors, defense attorneys), as needed;
• Coordinate and collaborate with a consulting psychiatrist;
• Work with the Clinical Director and interdisciplinary team to develop project specific policies, procedures, and data collection;
• Support clients who present to the clinic in crisis or with imminent needs to be addressed;
• Conduct intakes and needs-based screenings for newly mandated clients;
• Provide written treatment updates for court stakeholders for all court-involved participants;
• Coordinate with court stakeholders on any non-compliance issues and assist clients in getting back into compliance, including re-engaging clients, arranging return on warrants, and implementing gradual responses to encourage future compliance;
• Maintain appropriate client information in electronic databases and paper files;
• Make appropriate referrals to community-based organizations for additional services;
• Establish and maintain linkages with community partners who can provide appropriate interventions and services to court-involved individuals;
• Attend court on calendar days to help clients navigate court and collaborate with court staff and stakeholders, as needed;
• Pro…