Description:
Are you a great leader? If so, we are looking for you!
As a CIT Peer Diversion Team Leader, you’ll be responsible for providing oversight of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Peer Diversion and Court Connection staff. As a CIT Peer Diversion Team Leader, you’ll work in collaboration with partnering agencies while building relationships with Police Departments.
Independent Living, Inc., is a progressive and dynamic cross-disability services organization and a leader in the provision of peer services in the Hudson Valley region. As a CIT Peer Diversion Team Leader, you must be a peer and have personal lived experience as a former or current user of mental health services and be comfortable with self-disclosure as needed. Bachelor’s degree preferred. A minimum of 2 years of management experience, preferred. BS in Human Services, or related chemical dependency field, or equivalent experience, preferred.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BS in Human Services, or related chemical dependency field, or equivalent experience, preferred.
• Must be a peer and have personal lived experience as a former or current user of mental health services and be comfortable with self-disclosure as needed. Bachelor’s degree preferred. A minimum of 2 years of management experience, preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Preferred to have a working knowledge and experience with 12 step programs (including DTR-Double Trouble in Recovery). Ability to facilitate and run groups as needed.
• English/Spanish speaking, a plus.
• Must have strong leadership skills with the ability to supervise staff.
• Must be flexible and positive in approach, organized, and hard-working.
• Must be flexible with the work schedule and availability.
• Should possess positive communication skills – both orally and in writing.
• Must have strong analytical skills with the ability to review data collection results and/or reports for use in business decisions.
• Must complete approved advocacy training programs within the first six months of employment.
• Must possess a valid unrestricted driver’s license.
  ILI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to a person’s race, religion, creed, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, pregnancy, reproductive health decisions, military status, veteran status, predisposing genetic characteristics or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, citizenship or immigration status. arrest or conviction record or any other status protected by federal or state law

• Assist the Diversion Program Manager oversee program goals, compliance, and initiatives.
• Provide management, daily direction, and oversight of the CIT Peer Diversion and the Court Connection staff at the Middletown and Port Jervis locations. This includes overseeing staff scheduling and the time and attendance process (Paycom).
• Work in collaboration with the Access Supports for Living Mobile Mental Response Team (MRT), which is comprised of Clinical Counselors who are part of the 311 collaboration. MRT responds to Suicidal thoughts, Emotional trauma, Serious mental health crisis, Anxiety, Depression, Family crisis, and Police requested intervention through a CIT.
• Build relationships with Police Departments staff. Work with a multidisciplinary team of law enforcement officers and MRT to provide direct services and Peer Support.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and lines of communication with participating 9.39 hospitals, other treatment facilities, and community providers. This includes, when required, participating in in-service presentations and other informational sessions.
• Work in partnership with the Mobile Response Team, Mental Health Association (311), and the four designated Police Units Located in Middletown, Town of Wallkill, Port Jervis, and Mount Hope. This would also include the Orange County Provider Network to provide well-integrated, peer-based diversion services utilizing a flexible schedule to meet the unique needs of targeted consumers that are involved in the Criminal Justice System. These activities will enhance our county’s capacity to meet the supportive service needs of people in crisis and will enable individuals with significant psychiatric disabilities to ‘remain on track’ during critical periods when they are most vulnerable, and to avoid unnecessary arrests and possible hospitalization through proactive peer engagement.
• Follow up with referrals received from 311 (MHA), Police, and the Mobile Response Team, with the goal to support individuals’ wellness, reduce ED visits, BHU admissions, and criminal justice involvement. The CIT Peer Diversion Specialist will develop a referral process to assist with the possible continuous need for services would include, but not limited to completing a DLA-20 to establish long term goals, A WRAP plan, connection to community resources, a safety plan, connection with Care Management and establishing a person-centered relationship. The goal for the CIT Peer Diversion Specialist with these individuals would be to support each referral’s individual wellness. Develop expert knowledge of Care Management and assist the individual with accessing the services.
• Proactively engage people at risk of hospitalization for mental health disability-related issues. Provide highly individualized, flexible, demand-responsive, intensive peer support and timely intervention during periods when individuals with psychiatric disabilities are experiencing increased vulnerability and are at greatest risk.
• Work in partnership with the Mobile Mental Health, and the Orange County Provider Network to provide well-integrated, peer-based services utilizing a flexible schedule to meet the unique needs of targeted consumers.
• Responsibilities include: 1) reaching out to, and engaging individuals with significant psychiatric disabilities; 2) providing counseling, planning, and other needed services to identified persons; 3) connecting service recipients with Network provider agencies; 4) maintaining linkages with community partners and other county resources in relation to education, housing, health care, recreation, and socialization; 5) developing and maintaining linkages with sources of potential training and employment opportunities including public agencies and private employers; 6) restructuring resources as necessary to ensure continuing personal stability and individual satisfaction.
• Encourage each consumer to develop an advanced directive to help direct his or her care in the event he or she is incapable. The primary focus should be to provide demand responsive-peer-support and completing a DLA-20 and educate the consumer of the process of completing a Wellness and Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Plans (with realistic goals based on each individual’s purpose and passion for life), Advance Directives, and Health Care Proxies.
• Act as a role model/mentor to peers by assisting individuals to self-advocate and coordinate their own services
• Attend relevant Orange County Mental Health meetings such as Inpatient/Outpatient Mental Health Providers’ Meeting.
• Educate consumer families about transitional needs, challenges, options, and resources.
• Provide assistance in identifying and connecting with supportive services.
• Collaborate with the Diversion Program Manager to improve consumer satisfaction.
• Provide counseling, time and attention, empathy, validation, someone to confide in and trust, guidance, and modeling of effective community living on an as-needed basis, throughout the period of transition.
• Encourage independence and autonomy by offering information, experiences, and opportunities to make informed choices.
• Learn the Orange County Department of Mental Health (OCDMH) Scorecard data process; enter statistics on a monthly basis and attend meetings related to Scorecard entries as needed.
• Complete all reporting and record keeping as required by the agency and other regulatory entities.
• Oversee the budget and all supplies/ program needs requests.
• The above list of responsibilities is not intended to be all inclusive, other responsibilities and/or training may be assigned or required.