Social Worker, Brooklyn Felony Diversion

Social Worker

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.

The Brooklyn Mental Health Court (BMHC) launched in 2002 as NYC's first mental health court, serving individuals charged primarily with felony offenses who are living with serious mental illness. The program diverts participants from jail or prison by conducting clinical assessments and then connecting them with long-term treatment in the community, along with rigorous judicial monitoring. The court aims to strengthen the justice system's ability to identify, assess, and monitor individual participants, to create linkages between the justice and mental health systems, and to improve public safety by ensuring that participants receive high quality community-based services.

The Brooklyn Felony ATI Program utilizes a similar model to Brooklyn Mental Health Court, serving individuals facing felony charges who are not otherwise eligible for Mental Health Court or other treatment courts in Brooklyn. The program receives referrals through two pathways: (1) the dedicated Felony ATI court part within Brooklyn Supreme Court, with a dedicated judge and supervising prosecutor; and (2) through other court parts throughout Brooklyn Criminal and Supreme Court. Regardless of the referral pathway, all participants receive individualized assessments, onsite and community-based services, compliance monitoring and judicial monitoring for the life of the case.

BMHC is seeking a Social Worker for its Brooklyn Felony Diversion programs. The Social Worker will serve individuals who are mandated to Felony Alternative to Incarceration (Felony ATI) programming through the Brooklyn Supreme Court. Reporting to the Clinical Director, the Social Worker is responsible for conducting psychosocial assessments, linking clients to a range of wrap-around services, providing comprehensive trauma-informed case management, compliance monitoring, and reporting for clients referred to the Brooklyn Mental Health Court and Brooklyn Felony ATI programs.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial clinical assessments, draft reports, and provide recommendations to court parties for services and treatment;
• Provide clinically-informed case management services to participants that address issues such as substance use, mental health issues, trauma, domestic violence, housing, and educational/vocational needs; and other challenges in client's life (e.g. new arrests, family court cases and other civil legal issues);
• Manage and monitor compliance with treatment mandates, including care coordination with providers and obtaining compliance updates for court;
• Work to ensure the provision of high-quality, evidence-based, and culturally responsive clinical assessments and treatment services across the site;
• Provide written and verbal participant reports to the court and other court staff (e.g. prosecutors, defense attorneys), as needed;
• Coordinate and collaborate with a consulting psychiatrist;
• Work with the Clinical Director and interdisciplinary team to develop project specific policies, procedures, and data collection;
• Support clients who present to the clinic in crisis or with imminent needs to be addressed;
• Conduct intakes and needs-based screenings for newly mandated clients;
• Provide written treatment updates for court stakeholders for all court-involved participants;
• Coordinate with court stakeholders on any non-compliance issues and assist clients in getting back into compliance, including re-engaging clients, arranging return on warrants, and implementing gradual responses to encourage future compliance;
• Maintain appropriate client information in electronic databases and paper files;
• Make appropriate referrals to community-based organizations for additional services;
• Establish and maintain linkages with community partners who can provide appropriate interventions and services to court-involved individuals;
• Attend court on calendar days to help clients navigate court and collaborate with court staff and stakeholders, as needed;
• Provide coverage in court by reporting on cases, as needed;
• Accompany clients to appointments in the community, as needed;
• Participate in regular interdisciplinary case conferences with court stakeholders and treatment providers;
• Provide clinical guidance and information on trauma-informed practices to Brooklyn Felony ATI Diversion team members;
• Assist with the development and implementation of new initiatives; including best clinical practices, and appropriate evidence-based interventions;
• Assist with administrative responsibilities including data collection and management, and grant reporting requirements, as needed;
• Attend all required staff meetings and trainings;
• Attend community-based events after hours, as needed; and
• Additional relevant tasks as necessary.

Qualifications: LMSW with a minimum of 3-4 years in criminal justice and/or a related field. Candidates must be currently licensed in New York state. Excellent written skills are a must. Candidate must be a skilled communicator able to work in a multi-disciplinary setting and maintain strong relationships with multiple agencies and organizations both onsite and in the community. Prior experience with the criminal justice system and/or justice-involved communities is a plus – in particular, experience working with youth and young adults, individuals experiencing domestic violence, mental health issues, substance use disorders, and/or homelessness. Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.

Position Type: Full-time.

Position Location: Brooklyn, New York.

Compensation: The compensation range for this position is $60,500 - $78,800 and is commensurate with experience.

Benefits: The Center for Justice Innovation offers an excellent benefits package including comprehensive healthcare with a national network, free basic dental coverage, vision insurance, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts including commuter FSA. We prioritize mental health care for our staff and offer services like Talkspace and Ginger through our healthcare plans. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan with a two-to-one employer contribution up to 5%.

The Center for Justice Innovation is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other category protected by law. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with prior contact with the criminal justice system. Our goal is to create a supportive and respectful environment where everyone, regardless of background or identity, feels valued and included.

At this time, the Center is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout the duration of employment.

Candidates are expected to provide accurate and truthful information throughout the hiring process. Any misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of material facts may result in disqualification from consideration, withdrawal of an offer, or termination of employment, regardless of when discovered.

In compliance with federal law, all hires must verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment verification form upon hire. Please refer to the job posting for relevant contact information. If contact details are not provided, we kindly ask that you refrain from inquiries via phone or email, as only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.