Parole Navigator- Dorchester MA - University of Massachusetts Medical School

Under the general supervision of the Senior Director Justice & Health Equity and Regional Reentry Supervisor, or designee, the Parole Reentry Navigator is responsible for providing direct service support to individuals released under parole supervision. The position will also receive supervision, on an as needed basis, through their respective Regional Parole Staff secondary to dual reporting relationships to the Massachusetts Parole Board and UMass Chan Medical School. This position will assist individuals reentering into their community by providing assessments, an array of supported referrals to community resources, which include case management, housing assistance, employment assistance, family reunification, emergency mental health services, substance use services, and support obtaining all required documents. They will develop individualized treatment plans for each parolee as a means to provide the necessary support for successful reentry. These plans will be designed to suit the needs of the parolee and use evidenced-based modalities and interventions to increase the individual parolees motivation to engage in treatment services and programming and prosocial behaviors. The Parole Reentry Navigator will work in close collaboration with the Transitional Parole Staff and Field Parole staff to ensure a smooth transition to the community with the appropriate discharge appointments scheduled and appropriate documentation completed. The individual will participate in inter-agency meetings held with community behavioral health agencies to support continuity of care and establish relationships with local agencies to streamline services provided and decrease duplication of service and gaps in service. The Reentry Navigators will become Certified Application Counselors in MassHealth and will work with Parole to ensure that applications for health insurance are completed in a timely manner, follow up related to eligibility, and communication around barriers to accessing treatment will be effectively communicated to supervisors. The Reentry Navigator serves as a direct contact for parolees in their respective Regional Reentry Center and will work directly with them on their treatment plan.

• Engage in direct communication with institutional parole staff to ensure that all necessary steps are completed prior to release.

• Provide direct communication with institutional staff with comprehensive understanding of parolees needs, including review of LS/CMI, medical and behavioral health diagnoses and appointments, and discharge plan.

• Facilitate communication with community providers to ensure that all necessary paperwork and documentation is completed for successful transition of services. Follow up on referrals placed prior to discharge.

• Conduct necessary assessment and evaluation in a timely manner related to the needs of the parolee. This may include bio-psych social assessment to help generate treatment plans aimed to meet the needs of the individual on parole. Conduct assessments to determine level of need for mental health support and substance use disorders.

• Serve as a liaison between institutional staff and field staff to ensure that all necessary discharge steps have been effectively discussed and reviewed.

• Build relationships with community providers and serve as content expert in services related to behavioral health, medical health, vocation, education, housing within their catchment area.

• Engage in community building in conjunction with family relationship building for individual parolees.

• Complete substance use and mental health evaluations on an as needed basis, when requested by the Massachusetts Parole Board and make referrals on needs assessed upon release.

• Keep clear and timely record of all direct and indirect services provided to parolee and parole staff and maintain client files specific to UMass Chan Medical School/ForHealth Consulting requirements.

• Enter data into appropriate record keeping database.

• Assist parolees with obtaining identification cards and necessary documents related to their reentry treatment plan.

• Hold basic knowledge of MassHealth and willingness to assist with application process for appropriate parolees. Ability to maintain as a Certified Application Counselor (CAC) for MassHealth.

• Attend scheduled meetings to discuss release plans for parolees pending their discharge from an institution.

• Attend trainings related to job duties and professional development on an as needed basis or required by employer.

• Maintain basic knowledge of institutional and parole operations as it relates to supervision of individuals in the community.

• Address barriers to treatment as they arise and problem solve with inter-agency team to support parolee and reduce likelihood of revocation.
• Attend regularly scheduled supervisions with direct supervisor, prepared to review complex cases, challenges, and successes.
• Engage in case management for parolee and serve as liaison and support steps to engage in treatment, attend groups, address transportation issues, housing issues, and job-related issues.
• Conduct ongoing service plan/treatment plan reviews based on the needs of the individual.
• Develop relationships with community providers and external state stakeholders.
• Maintain positive working relationships with participants, and relevant informal supports, provider organizations, program consultants and state agencies.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all business documents and correspondence per UMass Chan/ForHealth procedures and HIPAA regulations.
• Participate in performance improvement initiatives and demonstrates the use of quality improvement in daily operations.
• Comply with established departmental policies, procedures and objectives.
• Comply with all health, safety and program regulations and requirements.

• Associate degree or higher is required for this position, or commensurate work experience.
• 1+ + years of work experience with justice involved populations, providing direct service or case management to adults with behavioral health diagnoses.
• 1+ years of experience working with justice involved populations with knowledge of reentry planning, services, and treatment.
• Relevant experience working with state and federal government entities.
• Strong writing and communication skills
• Strong working knowledge of Mass Health and coverage as it relates to incarcerated or detained individuals.
• Experience with reentry initiatives with individuals who were incarcerated.
• Ability to multitask and balance large caseloads with individualized needs.
• Holds self and others accountable for measurable, high- quality, timely and cost-effective results.
• Demonstrates flexibility in response to changing environmental priorities.
• Supports other team members by prioritizing and altering daily routines to complete assignments.
• Participates in cross functional teams and works effectively with employees from diverse backgrounds.
• Produces a consistently high volume of work that also meets quality standards.
• Applies effective interpersonal and problem-solving skills when responding to clients.
• Treats all internal and external clients with respect and courtesy.
• Understands the needs and expectations of diverse clients and anticipates how to fulfill them.
• Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and competence when interacting with clients, fellow employees, and guests.
• Takes personal responsibility applying proactive, solution focused approaches in responding to client needs.
• Willing to travel throughout the state
• Proficient in technology, systems and Microsoft Office

Preferred Work Experience:

• Experience with behavioral health populations
• Massachusetts licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Alcohol Drug Counselor, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor or other licensed professional
• Experience in community mental health services and one of the following areas:  Substance Use Treatment, Long-Term Care, Home Care, Rehab, and/or Disabilities
• Ability to understand and utilize resources for problem solving, in order to deal with problems involving multiple variables, effectively prioritizing and executing tasks in a high-pressure