Regional Community Forensic Liaison - 60007008

requisition no: 881844

agency: children and families

working title: regional community forensic liaison -

pay plan: career service

position number:

salary: $53,917.08 - $70,000.00 annually

posting closing date: 08/20/2026

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the florida department of children and families (dcf) isthe state of florida’s social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking and public assistance. The agency’s mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.

within dcf, the substance abuse and mental health (samh) program office is recognized as the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health services. The office of samh is statutorily responsible for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders.

this is not a telework position. Candidate will be required to work in the tallahassee office.

this is a highly responsible and professional position serving as the lead - regional community forensic liaison within forensic and civil services. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player who works seamlessly across all sections within the program office. This role requires the use of independent judgment, a proactive approach to responsibilities, and exceptional attention to detail.

• this position provides regional oversight of the department’s community-based system of care for individuals committed, or at risk of commitment, under chapter 916, florida statutes. It serves as a regional liaison to circuit courts, criminal justice and mental health partners, community providers, managing entities, regional counsel, and state treatment facilities. The role focuses on expanding florida’s capacity to support individuals involved in both the mental health and criminal justice systems who may otherwise require secure facility placement.
• key responsibilities include delivering training on forensic statutes and practices, promoting evidence-based and community-based services, supporting diversion opportunities, and advancing least restrictive treatment options. The position also contributes to program development, data analysis, community outreach, conducts community-based training, and leads quality improvement projects. Independent judgment and initiative are essential.
• the lead worker provides statewide and regional leadership for florida’s community based forensic system of care. This position offers daily guidance and direction to unit staff, serves as a subject matter expert in community and forensic behavioral health, and ensures consistent application of policies, procedures, and best practices across all regions. The lead worker oversees coordination of diversion activities, pre commitment and post commitment processes, and seamless transitions to and from state mental health treatment facilities (smhtfs).
  
  The role leverages community resources to support timely placements, facilitates cross system service coordination, and strengthens statewide continuity of care for individuals involved in the forensic system.
• develop and maintain effective working relationships with community providers, managing entities, state attorneys, public defenders, circuit judges, jails, law enforcement, forensic evaluators, and state facilities to ensure coordinated, least restrictive pathways for individuals involved in the forensic system. Work with region stakeholders and managing entity to identify trends and performance improvement opportunities regarding diversions, conditional release and continuity of care.
• provi…