Gender Responsive Case Manager, Hartford Alternative in the Community, Hartford, CT
Compensation: $21.40/Hour
AGENCY DESCRIPTION**:**
One of the oldest organizations of its kind in the country, Community Partners in Action (CPA) was founded nearly 150 years ago to champion criminal justice reform and advocate for preserving the dignity of those in and out of prison. Through our programs that include reentry and housing, youth initiatives, a nationally recognized Prison Arts Program, and holistic alternatives to incarceration, we provide long-term impact that positively transforms individuals and society at large. Annually serving nearly 5,000 individuals throughout Connecticut, our work is possible due to partnerships with and support from individuals, government, private funders, organizations, and businesses.
CPA launched our BEDI (Belonging, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Journey in June 2020. Led by a task force that includes board members, our executive leadership team, program managers and staff who act as BEDI Ambassadors from each of our programs, WE ARE COMMITTED to building and maintaining an inclusive, equitable workplace and COMPELLED to have a constructive impact on criminal justice reform in CT that ends racial inequities and ensures the humanity and dignity of those interacting with the system. Read more about our BEDI journey at https://cpa-ct.org/our-bedi-journey/
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POSITION REQUIREMENTS
The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree or a combination of 4 years of education and experience in social services, criminal justice, or related field that provides experience in the following: Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT) group facilitation, administering of assessments and/or performing case management functions. Knowledge of criminal justice and court systems and the ability to interact with people of diverse backgrounds. Strong emotional intelligence, written and verbal communication, interpersonal and decision making skills. Ability to multi-task and knowledge of cognitive-behavioral approaches are critical. Demonstrates trauma informed approaches and cultural responsiveness; models pro-social behavior. Must be computer literate, have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) skills preferred. Some evenings required.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES
- Commits to the agency mission and program goals.
- Build and maintain rapport and respectful relationships with female offenders/defendants.
- Engage women using gender responsive techniques with fidelity to the Adult Probation Women Offender Case Management Model and Gender Responsive Principles
- Conduct client orientation and assessment (LSI-R and ASUS) using motivational enhancement strategies.
- Maintain caseload comprised of pre-trial and probation clients.
- Engage clients and use Motivational Interviewing and motivational enhancement strategies in day to day interactions.
- Conducts Strategic Case Management sessions for female clients incorporating Cary Guides and gender responsive principles.
- Prepares Individual Service Plans (ISP) based on assessment outputs.
- Schedules and meet with clients based on risk and needs.
- Proactively addresses clients’ basic needs and rewards pro-social behavior.
- Develops, maintains and regularly updates the AIC’s Community Resource Guide with housing, education/vocation, social, family, etc., services pertinent for women.
- Regularly spends time in the community identifying and developing community agencies/resources with expertise in working with women.
- Ensures linkages to community resources as necessary/ appropriate and coordinates referral and follow up.
- Ensure linkages with AIC services based on the women’s risk, needs, strengths, and responsivity (i.e. Moving On, Employment, Basic Needs)
- Provides recommendations for the coordination and sequencing of program services for the women and presents to probation referral source for team discussion.
- Recognizes and address the women’s ambivalence and resistance and helps them maintain motivation to change and maintains ongoing updates for probation referral source.
- Maintains client’s physical file and updates as per AIC CPA guidelines.
- Inputs WOCM client data into the Contractor Data Collection System (CDCS) and maintains, updates, and utilizes the data as directed.
- Delivers case presentations during Service Team Meetings.
- Provides recommendations for the coordination and sequencing of program services.
- Serves as liaison between the program and referral source.
- Serves as role model to staff and clients modeling pro-social behavior.
- Solicits client satisfaction feedback via the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI).
- Establishes and maintains professional staff to client boundaries with the women and their significant others.
- Participates in quality assurance activities of client sessions and assessments.
- Recognizes anti-social thinking, feeling, and acting and demonstrates and reinforces concrete alternatives.
- Develops and maintains regular communications with referral source(s) to ensure they are kept abreast of the women’s progress and participation in the program.
- Participates in a team approach to case planning to include case reviews, team meetings and assists referral source in identifying and referring clients to targeted services.
- Performs community outreach and advocacy work on behalf of the WOCM women.
- Contributes to creating an environment that is safe and respectful for the women.
- Attends all required trainings and meetings and assists in the implementation and development of female gender responsive services.
- Prepares timely and accurate court, progress, and/or discharge reports and other reports as required.
- Partners with the WOCM State Advisory Team.
- Provides awareness to Probation regarding AIC Gender Responsive services and interventions.
- Completes necessary case documentation on each client in a timely manner.
- Assumes management duties when requested.
- Attends and participates in all trainings and booster sessions related to position.
- Remains current on research and literature reviews with “what works” in changing offender behavior and recidivism reduction.
- Participates in related seminars, panels and workshops to enhance visibility of agency and program.
- Performs all other duties as required.
An Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Affirmative Action