JP Court Liaison

Position Description

Department History Overview

Harris County Resources for Children and Adults was founded in 1966 as Harris County Child Welfare to provide support services for the children taken under the wing of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Fifty years later, Harris County Resources for Children and Adults still provide this support. But the now-county department has expanded services for early prevention, intervention, and adult services.

Vision:

To better the lives of children and adults in Harris County.

Brief

Position Overview:

Under the supervision of the TRIAD Prevention Court Liaison Supervisor, this position performs a variety of professional oversight and coordination of social service referrals to at-risk youth and families appearing before Harris County Justice of the Peace (JP) Courts. The JP Court Liaison advocates and collaborates with various school districts to provide prevention measures to youth and families who have been referred for services.

The JP Court Liaison maintains the highest standards of ethical behavior, exercising honesty and integrity when working with at-risk youth and families. This position also serves as the Youth Diversion Coordinator within the Harris County Justice Courts according to state law making the diversion process a statutory requirement for Justice Courts.

Duties & Responsibilities:

* Serves as a liaison to initiate and maintain communication between various state and county stakeholders and other related organizations.

* Provides background information and presents recommendations for developing a plan of service to JP court personnel or Assistant District Attorney regarding case disposition.

* Travels to various schools, JP courts, and other community events as required.

* Documents outreach services, client and legal history information and completes monthly reports in Data Management System.

* Maintains and develops resource list for assigned courts.

* Maintain confidential information regarding the families served.

* Counsels, models, and advocates for the best interest of the youth and their families regarding resources.

* Provides follow-up feedback to court personnel and external/internal programs.

* Receives and screens school district referrals to provide prevention measures for individual service plans.

* Serve as a Youth Diversion Coordinator (YDC) for the Justice of the Peace (JP) Courts by receiving and screening all Youth Diversion Referrals, maintaining and documenting the outcome of the program.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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Requirements

Education:

* Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science arena, e.g., Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Criminal Justice, or closely related field.

Experience:

* One (1) year of full-time paid work experience working with youth and their families in a youth-service agency, in an institutional, counseling, or social services setting.

* Training and experience using a personal computer with a variety of software, such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Case Management Software.

Licensure:

* Reliable transportation with a valid driver's license (Texas) and auto liability insurance

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

* Knowledge of protective services, child and family development, child management, family systems, community resources, and Justice of the Peace processes.

* Knowledge of county, state, and federal laws, Texas Family Code, statutes, rules, ordinances, and regulations governing children.

* Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of case management and administration, case management documentation, and records management.

* Knowledge of the Justice of the Peace system procedures and associated legal terminology.

* Ability to maintain the highest standards of ethical behavior, exercising honesty and integrity, respect, confidentiality, and fairness in the execution of their official responsibilities.

* Handles sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.

* Communicates detailed and often sensitive information effectively, both orally and in writing.

* Establishes and maintains effective relationships with adolescents, family members, school and government officials, law enforcement, community partners, and the general public.

* Works under remote supervision.

* Contributes effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives and activities

* Self-disciplined, dependable, and ability to work independently, manage multiple projects, and prioritize multiple tasks and demands.

* Skill in analyzing, interpreting, and applying Texas Family Code policies and procedures, and federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to governing children.

* Skill in empathizing, valuing, and dealing successfully with the special capabilities, distinctive cultural histories, and unique needs of people of various…