Job OverviewThe Misdemeanor Incompetent to Stand Trial (MIST) Program serves defendants in Los Angeles that are facing misdemeanor charges and found incompetent to stand trial.
This population is often chronically homeless with severe mental health disorders and, without alternative resources must remain in the County Jail, until their maximum sentence is served or are restored to competency.
The Los Angeles Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR) has addressed the needs of this population through a diversion program that places them in residential community settings.
The goal of MIST is to restore these individuals to competency whilst living and receiving treatment in the community.
Program participants are under an active Court order and required to remain medication compliant while in residence.
If restored to competency prior to their maximum date of treatment, participants are sent back to criminal court to face their charge(s).Upon successful program completion, misdemeanor charges are dropped and program participants are transitioned into permanent supportive housing.This MIST Case Manager reports directly to the on-stie Clinical Team Leader.
The Case Manager will conduct on-going assessments to determine client’s needs; establish or re-establish benefits; build a supportive, trusting relationship by demonstrating consistency and follow-through; collaborate within a multi-disciplinary to develop achievable, short and long term goals; coordinate appointments, provide crisis interventions as necessary, facilitate client engagement groups, attend outings, and operate using a harm reduction approach.
The Case Manager will support the client in navigating through systemic challenges, and connect them to other community-based support services for successful coordination of after-care upon program completion.Key ResponsibilitiesConduct ongoing needs assessments: Identify client needs for services, benefits, and support to ensure all basic needs are being met.Ensure clients have benefits and identification: Schedule DMV and DPSS appointments and assist clients in obtaining a CAID, Medi-Cal, and all applicable benefits.
When appropriate connect clients to CBEST so they can apply for social security benefits.Crisis Intervention and De-Escalation: Successfully de-escalates client crisis situations and provides ongoing crisis intervention as necessary.Training and meetings: Attends all mandatory trainings and agency meetings as related to the field and remains current on best practices for case management.Medication Support: Works within the multidisciplinary team to support client medication compliance by providing coaching and encouragement.Groups and Outings: Facilitates at least one on-site group per week and attends outings as necessary.Documentation Responsibilities: Regularly document all client interactions in Welligent.
Complete all required forms with appropriate client signatures.
Develop/maintain treatment plans, transition plans, progress notes, group notes,and complete discharge paperwork in a timely manner.
Enter weekly notes into CHAMP per contractual requirements.Education and Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesHigh school Diploma or equivalence Desired:Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.Certified AOD counselor.Knowledge and Experience Required:Minimum of 2 years’ case management or ICMS experience.Previous experience using CHAMP.Familiar with Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, and Housing First principles and practices.Previous experience working with the homeless and those with severe mental illness.Familiar with the criminal justice system.Desired:Knowledge of SPAs, FSP referral processes and identifying housing options.Skills and Abilities Required:Ability to use electronic health records systems maintaining integrity and accuracy of data.Professionalism, punctuality, flexibility, and reliability.Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.Integrity to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner.Strong problem-solving skills and critical thinking.Outstanding ability to follow-through with tasks.Capable of working independently while contributing to a multidisciplinary team.Able to work within a frequently changing project scope.Desired:Knowledge of the mental health court system (court 95).Bilingual.Tag: IND100.