Case Worker III - Forensic Services Unit - Milwaukee County at Wisconsin Community Services

Job Responsibilities:

Position 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 Functions:

• 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 the following court documents for CR participants as required:Predisposition Investigation, Conditional Release Plan, Treatment Plan Adjustment, Adjustment Summary, Discharge/Transition Plan as well as all Status Report documents.
• Coordinate team staffings with DHS/Department of Corrections (DOC) 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, 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, 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 required surveys as required.
• Complete MI audio recording and written Test of Knowledge as required.
• Build and nurture positive relationships with stakeholders and funder(s).

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• 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 trainings, 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.

Job Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• 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 entitlements such as Medicaid, Medicare, SSI/SSDI, Veterans benefits
• Above average written and verbal communication skills
• Positive interpersonal skills
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Ability to work independently as well as a team member
• Have proficient computer skills
• Interest and commitment to social justice.

Minimal Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree in a related human service field
• Experience in case management and service coordination
• Experience serving people with a mental illness, substance use disorder, or other special populations required
• Must have a valid drivers license and an insured, safe, operable automobile
• Must be able to pass criminal and caregiver background checks.

Other Job Information (if applicable):

Work Relationship and Scope:

Reports to the immediate Program Supervisor. Has contact with a wide variety of individuals including participants, staff, DHS, DOC, court personnel, institution staff, prison/jail staff, psychiatrists, treatment providers, peer support, family members and the public.

Personal Attributes:

Follow agency Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics; adhere to established policies and procedures of the agency and of all funding sources; conduct self in an ethical manner; maintain professional and respectful relationships with program staff, other WCS staff, participants and all external persons and agencies involved with service provision; sensitivity toward cultural, ethnic and disability issues; demonstrate commitment to agency values and mission.

Working Conditions:

Job is performed in a combination of office setting and field work throughout a four-county region with individuals who are participating in the CR/OARS/OCRP/JBCR programs; some of whom may be unstable and symptomatic at times. The position requires travel to various state prisons and/or mental health institutions throughout WI. Most work is performed in the community, primarily at participants residences. Appearances in court are required for CR. Staff members are expected to transport participants as needed.

Typical work week: Monday-Friday 8:30-4:30, although some flexibility is necessary to accommodate participant needs (to include possible extended workday hours, weekends, and holiday coverage). Also involves rotational 24-hour crisis line coverage.

Physical Demands:

There is frequent driving throughout a four-county region and to various prisons/jails and mental health institutions throughout WI. The position requires an ability to drive for periods of time throughout the day. Must be able to go up and down stairs, lift and carry 20 pounds to assist with routine participant moves. Staff may be expected to assist participants with light household chores as needed. Office work involves sitting at a desk and conducting computer work.


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