Release Planner/Release From Custody Worker

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Manager of Specialized Programs, the Release Planner/Release from Custody Worker supports individuals involved in the criminal justice system reaching out for services at the Canadian Mental Health Association, Huron Perth, Addiction and Mental Health Services (“CMHA HP AMHS”). The person in this role assists in creating plans for release from custody and supports in a successful integration into the community to individuals experiencing mental health and/or addiction issues.

The location for the provision of these services will vary throughout Huron and Perth Counties and surrounding areas. Services are delivered in-person and by phone, in custodial facilities, and in the community, based on client need.

ORGANIZATIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

In addition to specific key job responsibilities identified in this job description, the incumbent is also responsible to contribute to and support the overall culture and working environment of the organization by:

• Demonstrating and exemplifying the organization’s mission and values in day to day work
• Acting with the highest standard of professionalism with clients, family members, community partners, the general public and colleagues.
• Working in a manner that preserves and respects the privacy and confidentiality of personal health information.
• Working in a manner that is fiscally responsible.
• Working in a manner that promotes and maintains the reputation of the organization and minimizes risk of harm and/or liability to the organization.
• Working in a manner that complies with the organization’s policies and procedures.
• Working in a manner that meets all Health and Safety requirements to ensure a healthy and safe workplace.
• Acknowledging, respecting and affirming the diverse needs of our community, clients and the organization’s employees with the goal of reducing disparities in health outcomes
• Contributing to the organization’s activities to collect, analyze and report data.
• Maintaining competence, demonstrating a commitment to ongoing professional development and where applicable, a professional license to practice.
• Contributing to the organization’s work by promoting awareness, participating in committees and agency events.

KEY POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Release Planner/Release from Custody

• Provide education, consultation, crisis management, assessment, treatment planning, referral, advocacy, case management and community treatment as appropriate, to persons who are in custody, or recently released from custody experiencing mental health and/or substance use or behavioural addiction issues. Services will be provided on an individual and group basis.
• Regularly attend the Stratford Jail and Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre and meet with clients seeking support upon release.
• Develop release plans with the individuals in custody.
• Work collaboratively with service providers in the community and criminal justice sectors to support transition to the community and reduce recidivism.
• Develop effective working relationships and work in partnership with community organizations, jails (outside of Huron and Perth), police, probation and parole, and hospitals.
• Provide psychoeducational group programming to individuals in custody at the Stratford Jail in relation to mental health and substance use as appropriate.
• Remain current in knowledge with developments in the mental health and addictions fields and criminal justice system.

• Engage in community awareness, education and outreach as designated and appropriate, representing the agency in a professional manner.
• Be flexible in work environment while maintaining personal safety and the safety of the client at all times.

Administrative

• Maintain a complete, accurate and comprehensive clinical record of each client contact.
• Report statistics about clinical activities using designated agency format as required.
• Complete monthly, annual and other reported documentation as required in a punctual and comprehensive manner.
• Maintain administrative and clinical records, including client files and data entry, as per Policy and Procedure Manual.

General

• Participate on internal agency committees and/or outside community committees as appropriate.
• Adhere to policies and protocols as outlined in the Human Resource and Procedure Manual.
• Attend and actively participate in any team and staff meetings, the Annual General Meeting, and periodically scheduled strategic planning, team building and agency events
• Assist with the orientation and training of new agency staff, volunteers and interns/students as designated and need.
• Provide coverage of CMHA HP AMHS services for other team members as needed.
• Help ensure the organization and program objectives are met.
• Work harmoniously with colleagues, including not behaving in ways that are likely to be offensive in any manner to others and confronting such behaviours by others.
• Conduct self in a responsible, professional manner.
• Perform other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: A Social Services Worker diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or other related discipline or a diploma from a recognized college, with specific focus on mental health and/or addictions.

EXPERIENCE: Prior experience in the legal system, intake and assessment, and an understanding of issues facing individuals with substance abuse and mental health concerns is required.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: Broad knowledge of addiction and mental health treatments and explanatory theories, homelessness, the criminal justice system and community resources. Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and techniques of case management of mental illness and addiction and their application. In addition, the incumbent will demonstrate integrity and ethics, good coping skills, flexibility and commitment to the work.

Abilities: Communication-written and oral, planning, leadership, interpersonal, negotiating, directing/motivating, organizing, decision making,

Coping: Able to maintain a mature problem-solving attitude while dealing with interpersonal conflicts, hazardous conditions, personal rejection, hostility or time demands.

Decisiveness: Able to make decisions quickly on available information and act, make commitments and not change decisions when challenged, deal with emergencies as necessary.

Decision Making and Problem Solving: Able to take action in solving problems while exhibiting judgement and a realistic understanding of issues, able to use reason, even when dealing with emotional topics. 

Creativity: Able to develop unique and novel solutions to problems; use intuition and a new way of thinking to give birth to new ideas; present information in an attention-getting and interesting manner.