Position Summary:

Responsible for assisting with the coordination of DBHIDS activities and functions related to the Criminal Justice System to build a more effective and responsive system of services for people with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders involved in the criminal justice system. The Forensic Associate provides support to initiatives that develop resources, improve services, and impact policies for justice-involved individuals with behavioral health needs. These functions are consistent with the philosophy and objectives of the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services.

This is a part time position (20 hours/ week) that will last approximately one year.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Support the work of BHJD in the development and oversight of the behavioral health- criminal justice continuum.

Support the work of the various systems collaborations including the Criminal Justice- Behavioral Health Workgroup, OMHSAS, Philadelphia Forensic Task Force, Forensic Steering Committee, and other groups working to decrease the number of people with severe mental illness and co-occurring substance use problems involved in the criminal justice system and to ensure prompt, quality treatment and continuity of care for this population.

Provide technical assistance, expertise, and problem-solving to the behavioral health-criminal justice system continuum. Facilitate communication among those involved in the BH-CJ continuum.

Develop data and information sharing systems to assure a quality BH-CJ continuum and support decision making about policies and practices.

Provide training to providers and agencies who treat and interact with individuals involved in the criminal justice system with severe mental illness and co-occurring disorders. Participate in Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training at the Philadelphia Police Academy and other behavioral health literacy trainings for criminal justice partners.

Conduct literature/research reviews, with a particular focus on applying research findings for practical use for treatment and policy professionals.

Develop written proposals, reports, and presentations related to the projects and initiatives currently underway with BHJD.

Assist with grant management, data management, reporting, and presentations related to active grants in BHJD. Assist with applications for new grant opportunities.

Maintain a flexible work schedule and willingness to accept and perform other duties/ functions as assigned. Other duties as assigned by the Senior Consultant for Criminal Justice Services, Director and Deputy Director of BHJD.

Skills Required:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Strong research skills, including ability to summarize and distill research findings for dissemination to non-psychology audiences.

Ability to coordinate with multiple dimensions/ players of behavioral health and criminal justice systems to ensure adequate and accurate provision of services. Ability to work, with minimal supervision, within various systems.

Clinical assessment and understanding of DSM-V-TR system of diagnostics.

Excellent knowledge of MS Word. Working knowledge of MS Excel and MS Access

Ability to type all documents and paperwork.

Knowledge and willingness to travel throughout the tri-state area for various meetings and site visits as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Social Work or other clinically related field. Currently a student in a graduate program with training in behavioral health and criminal justice. This position is designed to be a one year consistent with the academic year.

Physical Demands:

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required such as maneuvering the office space- reaching file cabinets, fax and copier machines when necessary. Must be able to sit for up to 2 hours looking at a computer monitor and using a keyboard and mouse to perform data entry functions. Able to travel locally via public transportation and on foot from 1601 Market Street to 1101 Market Street, CBH, and various other destinations as needed. Valid driver's license and use of personal licensed and insured vehicle during work hours to ravel from Center city to other sites (e.g. Norristown State Hospital, jails, Philadelphia Police Academy). Ability to pass all background checks required by the Philadelphia Prison System.

Other Job Requirements:

Must have a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record when operating a company/personal vehicle during work hours for work-related activities. Permission to operate a vehicle as part of your job duties will be contingent on your insurability as a driver consistent with PMHCC policy.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

PMHCC, Inc is committed to equal opportunity. It is our policy to support equal employment for all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual preferences, age, national origin, disability, behavioral health status, military status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Americans with Disabilities Act:

Employees as well as applicants who are currently, or become disabled, must be able to perform the functions of the job with either reasonable accommodation or unaided. PMHCC, Inc. will examine reasonable accommodations on a case by case basis in accordance with the law.