Statewide Coordinator of Special Needs

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of South Carolina's youth, consider joining the dedicated people of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).

It is the mission of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to impact and transform young lives, strengthen families, and support safer communities through targeted prevention and rehabilitation.

Under limited supervision, appropriately and proficiently develop a succinct internal process for ensuring the optimal treatment services for youth identified as having a Serious Mental Illness (SMI) or Serious Qualifying Disability (SQD). Interfaces with various agencies involved with youth in order to ensure optimal functioning of juvenile. Serves as the agency's point of contact for juvenile admissions to the Byars Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) and other PRTFs in and out of state.

• Monitors and tracks youth who may be identified as having a SMI or SQD and ensures appropriate transfers are made within time frames designated through MOA(s).
• Facilitates SMI/SQD staffings as well as other interagency and court-ordered staffings pertaining to youth with special needs in secured facilities.
• Provides written documentation of all staffings, visits, and collaborative efforts to meet the needs of youth.
• Serves as the lead point of contact for DJJ involved youth who meet criteria for a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF).
• Participates in staffing and collection of pertinent information needed to secure appropriate referrals to the Byars PRTF.
• Serves as a liaison with the Office of Mental Health, Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Department of Social Services, and Disability Rights South Carolina, related to youth with special needs.
• Provides insight to agency leadership on best practices concerning youth with a SMI/SQD.
• Coordinates and collaborates with the Byar’s PRTF, Office of Mental Health, and Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities for the care of youth who meet PRTF level of care.
• Monitors the referral process, service delivery, and outcomes of justice involved youth placed at the Byar’s PRTF and other PRTFs.
• Provides and coordinates training on the special needs population and how to understand the inclusion process for Facility staff quarterly.
• Provides training to external partners regarding the unique needs of SCDJJ youth who meet SMI/SQD criteria.
• Provides training to SCDJJ staff on admission criteria and referral process for access to the Byar’s PRTF. Follows up on inquiries and ensures appropriate referrals are expedited through the referral process.
• Provides prompt feedback to referral source on information needed, missing, and if referrals are not appropriate, or do not meet criteria, educate referral source on criteria.
• Prepares and maintains monthly reports summarizing justice involved youth’s referrals, placement, and billing in a PRTF.
• Monitors and processes cost share placements not covered by youth’s MCO.
• Must participate in the review and revision of mutual Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) and SCDJJ Policies and Procedures related to youth who meet criteria for Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI) and/or a Serious Qualifying Disability (SQD).
• Must be available, both during and after business hours, as needed, regarding justice involved youth placed in a PRTF.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

A bachelor's degree and professional experience in human services or social services programs.

• Thorough knowledge of the justice, mental health, and social services practices for juveniles.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, juveniles and relevant agencies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills required.
• Expertise in dealing with special needs cases preferred.
• Must be able to advocate for and facilitate interagency staffing to ensure a youth’s mental health needs are addressed at all aspects of a youth’s involvement in the juvenile justice system.
• Must be able to triage youth’s needs…