Court- Intake Specialist Job New York New York USA,Social Work

THE ORGANIZATION

The Center for Justice Innovation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community safety and racial justice. Since 1996, we’ve worked alongside communities, courts, and those most directly affected by the justice system to build stronger, healthier, and more equitable neighborhoods. 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.

Backed by decades of on-the-ground experience and nationally recognized expertise, we bring innovative, practical, and lasting solutions to justice systems nationwide.
Learn more about our work ovatingjustice.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Queens Community Justice Center seeks a Court-Based Intake Specialist for a new youth firearm intervention initiative serving young people charged with gun-related offenses in the Queens Youth Part. The Court-Based Intake Specialist will serve as the program’s primary court-based representative and first point of contact for referred participants and families. Stationed in the Queens Youth Part, this staff member will receive referrals directly from court stakeholders, initiate engagement with youth and caregivers, conduct intake and screening, and coordinate participants’ transition from court referral into community-based mentoring, clinical, workforce, and wraparound services.

Responsibilities

include but are not limited to Court-Based Referral Management and Intake:

Maintain a consistent on-site presence in the Queens Youth Part and serve as the primary point person for receiving referrals from the Judge, Resource Coordinator, defense counsel, the Queens District Attorney’s, and other court stakeholders;
Meet with youth referred to the program as quickly as possible following referral, ideally on the same day, to begin engagement, explain the program, and complete intake;
Orient participants to program expectations, available services, and next steps in the referral and engagement process;
Schedule participants for follow-up assessment and service planning with the Program Manager and facilitate a smooth handoff into ongoing services.

Participant Engagement and Follow-Up:

Build rapport with court-involved youth and families using a trauma-informed, youth-centered, and strengths-based approach;
Conduct outreach and follow-up with participants and families by phone, text, and in person to support enrollment, attendance, and sustained engagement;
Work collaboratively with mentors and other staff to re-engage participants who miss appointments or become disconnected from services;
Support participants in understanding court expectations and navigating the transition from court referral to community-based services;
Help identify and address immediate barriers to participation, including communication challenges, transportation issues, family concerns, and ambivalence about services;
Make referrals and support participants’ connection to behavioral health services, including referrals to longer- term counseling and other specialized services as appropriate.

Court Collaboration and Communication:

Serve as a liaison between the Queens Community Justice Center and court stakeholders, including the Judge, Resource Coordinator, defense counsel, prosecutors, and other court personnel;
Communicate promptly with court partners regarding referrals, enrollment status, scheduling, and participant engagement, as directed by the Program Manager;
Prepare and share participant updates, attendance information, and other…