Forensic Specialist

Wisconsin Community Services 


Forensic Coordinator - Milwaukee County

Job Summary

Provide ongoing service coordination, treatment planning, advocacy and monitoring to residents of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, and Kenosha counties who are participants in the OARS Program (Opening Avenues for Re-entry Success), Conditional Release Program (CR), Outpatient Competency Restoration Program (OCRP) and/or Jail-Based Competency Restoration Program (JBCR).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate, plan, and ensure follow-through with community treatment for individuals participating in the OARS, CR, OCRP and/or JBCR Programs.
• Engage and develop a supportive one-to-one therapeutic relationship with each participant.
• Incorporate evidence-based practices into the provision of services including but not limited to Motivational Interviewing (MI), Trauma Informed Care (TIC), and Person-Centered Planning.
• Utilize MI skills as a primary approach to enhance participant participation and success.
• Monitor ongoing treatment needs and compliance with treatment for all program participants by providing assessment, treatment planning, assertive case management, symptom management, medication monitoring, crisis-intervention, and coordination of multi-disciplinary team meetings as per program protocols and the Department of Health Services (DHS) contract.
• Responsible for developing and submitting court documents for CR and Competency participants as required:Predisposition Investigation, Treatment Plan, Treatment Plan Adjustment, Adjustment Summary, Discharge/Transition Plan as well as all Status Report documents.
• Coordinate team staffings with DHS/Department of Community Corrections (DCC) and other treatment team members.
• Maintain safety practices and continually assess potential risk when in the community and when working with participants.
• Coordinate community support services (referrals) and/or directly aid participants with activities of daily living to include, but not limited to, coaching and hands on assistance in the areas of housing, money management, vocational/educational pursuits, scheduling and transportation for appointments.
• Encourage and assist each participant with the development of a natural support system including family members, neighbors, friends, the community, etc.
• Create and maintain participant service documents including but not limited to case notes, assessments, Adult Family Home/Rent Justification forms, release plans, Individual Service Plans (ISP), Quarterly Progress Notes (QPN), crisis plans, budgets, suicide risk assessments (SRA), trauma assessments, other risk assessments, and release of information (ROI) forms within expected program timeframes.
• Comply with program and DHS quality standards, DHS Connect (EHR) and SharePoint protocols, format requirements and timeframes for all documents and communications.
• Ensure maximum participant financial contribution and third-party payment toward cost-of-service provision by applying for appropriate insurance benefits, fully utilizing available assistance programs, county services and community resources.
• Provide on-going communication and coordination with treatment providers, DOC/DCC, mental health institution staff, court personnel, prison/jail staff, and other service agencies, reviewing and responding to emails and phone messages within 24 hours.
• Frequent home visits and transportation of participants in the community using personal vehicles.
• Develop and practice MI skills through training, coaching, and participant contact to attain basic fidelity within 12 months/advanced fidelity within 24 months of employment as outlined in the program contract.
• Participate in MI coaching sessions and complete DHS surveys as required.
• Complete MI audio recording and written Test of Knowledge as required.
• Build and nurture positive relationships with stakeholders and funder(s).
• Timely collection of necessary medical records, lab results and information for participants per program protocol.
• Rotational crisis line coverage.
• Appear and testify at court hearings.
• Attend training, meetings, and staffings.
• Participate in new staff shadowing rotation.
• Other job-related duties may be necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position.
• Remote staff may be required to work from the Forensic office in Milwaukee.
• On the last day of employment, staff will turn in all agency equipment to the supervisor/program director.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or related Human Services field.

• Experience in case management and service coordination; experience serving people with a mental illness, substance use disorder, or other special populations required
• Valid driver’s license, automobile, and insurance sufficient to meet agency requirements required.
• Meet all the employee requirements including references, criminal background check, and driver’s license check.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Communication – ability to provide information effectively with a diverse population - the persons we serve, supervisor, colleagues, and program partners in writing and oral communications.
• Technological Aptitude – Ability to use general technological skills throughout daily job i.e., Email, Internet, company specified systems, (ex. Microsoft 365, Windows, Word, Excel).
• Managing Priorities/Deadlines – Ability to maintain schedules, meet deadlines and manage multiple projects.
• Problem-Solving Skills – Ability to think critically and be solution-oriented in a fast-paced environment and adapt to program changes and challenges.
• Adaptability – Ability to manage change, deal with situations as they arise and work independently or as part of a team.
• Teamwork – Ability to work as a team participate productively while also managing independent contributing duties and responsibilities.
• Motivation – Possess a commitment to the assigned job, mission and core values of the organization while also supporting a respectful and harmonious work setting.
• Professionalism – Ability to conduct oneself with a high level of integrity, ethics and boundaries.
• Multicultural Sensitivity – The role involves working in the community and interacting directly with diverse populations, including clients, partners, and service providers. As such, the employee must demonstrate professionalism, cultural sensitivity, and strong interpersonal skills while representing the organization in a variety of settings.
• Program Specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - C linical skills and knowledge related to community based services for individuals who have a mental illness including assessment, treatment planning, monitoring and supportive services.
• Knowledge of and experience in mental health and substance use services including assessment, treatment plan development, psychotropic medications, side effects and symptom management
• knowledge of the legal system and forensic psychiatric issues; risk management; resourcefulness and flexibility responding to changing participant needs
• Knowledge of substance abuse disorders; psychotropic medications; entitlements such as Medicaid, SSI/SSDI, Medicare, and Veterans benefits.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Driving throughout the southeastern WI region, the mental health institutions in Madison and Oshkosh and prisons statewide. Position requires the ability to drive for periods of time on any given day. Office work involves sitting at a desk and conducting computer work.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The job is performed in a combination of an office setting, and in the field throughout the four-county region (including the inner city of Milwaukee). Requires travel to DHS, mental health institutions in Madison and Oshkosh and prisons statewide. Provides supervisory backup for 24hr Crisis Line when needed and be accessible to staff and/or program participants.

Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. 

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