Connections Work is looking for a Forensic Diversion Coordinator

Join their purpose-driven, culture-intentional team as a Forensic Diversion Coordinator!

Connections Work not only provide services, they are about creating lasting, positive change in our community. They're looking for dedicated individuals to join their intentional team where your work truly matters, and every day brings new opportunities to impact lives.

What you’ll do:

The Forensic Diversion Coordinator is responsible for identifying, coordinating, and facilitating diversion opportunities for individuals with mental health needs who are involved with or at risk of involvement with the criminal justice system. This position serves as a bridge between the behavioral health systems and the criminal justice system, aiming to reduce incarceration rates, promote recovery, and improve public safety through early intervention, case coordination, and collaboration with key stakeholders.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for law enforcement, courts, jails, attorneys, behavioral health providers, and other stakeholders regarding diversion-eligible individuals.
• Conduct assessments, screenings, or reviews to determine eligibility for diversion from arrest, booking, or prosecution into appropriate community-based services.
• Coordinate individualized services that include treatment, housing, case management, and other supports to promote stabilization and reduce recidivism.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration between criminal justice partners and mental health providers to ensure continuity of care.
• Maintain accurate documentation and tracking of diversion referrals, outcomes, and data for evaluation and reporting.
• Meet with law enforcement and/or other criminal justice professionals to provide information on forensic diversion services, the population served, and various community resources available to support them.
• Monitor client progress in diversion programs as needed to support success.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case staffing, community collaboration meetings, and crisis response planning.

Special Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice, or related field, required.
• Minimum of 2 years of post-degree experience in behavioral health or forensic mental health settings, required.
• Experience working with diverse populations, including individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring disorders, required.
• Experience in criminal justice settings, preferred.
• Knowledge of mental health systems, crisis services, and criminal justice processes, required.
• Ability to effectively build relationships and collaborate with law enforcement, courts, behavioral health providers, and other stakeholders, required.
• Skilled in communication, organization, and problem-solving, required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, required.
• Proficiency with electronic health record systems, preferred.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish with skill in oral and written communication, including Spanish communication, preferred.
• Must possess a valid Driver’s License, have access to a vehicle and be willing to travel to and work at various locations as needed in order to conduct agency business. Some locations require working within the confines of a secure facility and in close contact with residents thereof.
• Must possess and maintain valid personal vehicle insurance.
• Must possess and maintain a valid child abuse clearance through ChildLine.
• Must possess and maintain a valid clearance through the Pennsylvania State Police.
• Must possess and maintain a valid clearance through the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
• Must not be a precluded individual on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Medicheck fraud list.
• Must possess and maintain clearance authorization through the Berks County Jail System (BCJS). Connections Work will process the clearance request.
• Must be able to work after agency office hours, as needed for special events.

Connections Work is an equal opportunity employer.