Bridge Program Coordinator

SUMMARY

The Bridge Program is a collaborative effort between Harford County Government, local and state law enforcement agencies, and the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS). The program is designed for youth, ages 10-17, who have mental or behavioral health needs and may be involved in a youth diversion program. Participants voluntarily agree to join the program, which aims to identify contributing factors and provide resources for care and support services within the community. The goal is to improve participants’ well-being by equipping them with coping skills and life strategies.

The Bridge Program Coordinator, working under the supervision of the Director of Client Services in SCS’s Harford County office, coordinates all services related to the program from client intake to program completion by the program participants. These services may include, but are not limited to making referrals for mental health services for the participant and their family when appropriate, organizing and facilitating or finding facilitators for classes, and assisting participants with successful discharge from the program. The Coordinator works hand in hand with Harford County’s Teen Court Coordinator and local schools, which are primary referral sources for Bridge Program participants. Participants can be referred from other sources as well. Parental consent is required for participation.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Referrals and Intakes:

· Reviews referrals from the Teen Court Coordinator, Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), School Resource Officers, and other youth-serving agencies and determine eligibility for program participation.

· Coordinates intake appointments with families and sends necessary paperwork for completion.

· Conducts interviews with potential youth participants and family, including completing risk assessments for substance use and mental health disorders.

· Makes appropriate external treatment referrals as needed.

· Provides pertinent information about the Bridge Program to potential participants and their families.

· Collaborates closely with the Teen Court Coordinator to provide program participant data for new referrals.

Program:

· Coordinates all elements of the Bridge Program, to include: scheduling facilitators, arranging transportation for participants, preparing necessary documentation for classes and events.

· Contributes to enhancement of program processes and workflows.

· Conducts community outreach to build relevant partnerships and to provide education about the Bridge Program.

· Maintains regular contact with School Resource Officers and other referral sources to provide program policy updates.

· Monitors progress of each case through active collaboration with Teen Court Coordinator and ensure all sanctions are completed.

· Maintains thorough client records in designated database/electronic health record.

· Ensures that contracted facilitators complete required program documentation.

· Provides crisis resources to participants and families as needed. Refer participants to crisis services in the event of a crisis during program hours.

· Serves as substitute facilitator as identified facilitator is unavailable.

· Provides monthly report data to the Teen Court Coordinator for required DJS reporting.

· Work with supervisor and other program stakeholders to develop summer programming for eligible Harford County youth.

GENERAL DUTIES

· Engage with youth participants in classroom and/or community settings.

· Connect participants and their families to community case management and behavioral health services.

· Identify supplemental program material as needed to serve youth populations that is age appropriate, engaging and demonstrative of best practices.

· Maintain positive working relationships with partnering and referring agencies.

· Coordinate with DJS and other program stakeholders to ensure continuity of care via an interdisciplinary approach that promotes participant success.

· Provide community education and assisting in program evaluation.

· Collaborate with the Harford County interdisciplinary team.

· Maintain awareness of community resources.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

· Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, or related field required.

· A minimum of two years’ experience in crisis intervention related work.

· Two years of experience conducting program intakes/assessments.

· Experience working with at-promise youth, as well as facilitating youth programming is strongly preferred.

· Past experience presenting to large groups is preferred.

· Knowledge of and ability to work with persons of diverse backgrounds.

· Demonstrated proficiency in crisis intervention techniques and crisis counseling skills.

· Proven ability to manage complex client situations.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and/or program procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, collaborative agencies, and/or the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Basic math skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid Maryland Driver’s License, Youth Mental Health First Aid certification strongly preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary functions.

· Routine office mobility, including walking up and down stairs; this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.

· Ability to transport him/herself to meetings out of the office as necessary.

· Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.

· Constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.

· The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment characteristics are as follows:

Drug-Alcohol Free;

Smoke Free; and

Non-Harassment

Work within an office setting; must be able to travel to meetings and community events.

Please note that this is a 2-year contractual position.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $26.00 - $28.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• How many years of experience with case management intake and assessment do you have?

Ability to Commute:

• Bel Air, MD 21014 (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $26 - $28