Reporting within the Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC) Programs Department, the Program Manager – Mental Health Transition Center (MHTC) is responsible for all day-to-day operational and programmatic components of the voluntary mental health program for men at CCDOC. The MHTC Program seeks to identify risk factors and other contributing factors contributing to one’s mental health and develop positive, pro-social behaviors which will support participants with reentry into the community.
The Program Manager oversees the onsite implementation of new programming opportunities as well as plays a key role in developing and maintaining relationships with community partners related to mental health programming.
The Program Manager will assist with all program data collection, tracking and program evaluation.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
Manage all day-to-day operational and programmatic components of the mental health transition center program including, but not limited to, maintaining a daily participant list, oversight over the completion and submission of all court reports, and any/all assigned tasks to make sure the program is able to operate effectively.
Oversee the implementation of new onsite programming opportunities for the treatment population, and in collaboration with supervisory staff, play a key role in maintaining relationships with community partners related to the mental health program.
Maintain centralized system for documenting individual client progress and track project metrics over time in order to assist with quarterly program evaluation and provide consistent feedback to supervisor about means to continually improve program outcomes.
Communicate regularly with CCDOC sworn leadership, particularly in the Records Department and Classification, in order to make sure that participants are moved into the program and appropriate notification is provided to the judiciary for those who are not eligible for program enrollment.
Work to ensure services address the biopsychosocial factors that have contributed to each participant’s addiction and incarceration and equip individuals with the tools necessary for successful community re-entry.
Participate in multidisciplinary client-focused team meetings.
Audit program alerts in jail management system in order to make sure that the program dashboard is consistently up to date.
Collaborate with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance officer as it relates to program enrollment of individuals with additional needs to make sure necessary accommodations are made.
Collaborate with medical/mental health provider staff (Cermak Health Systems).
Liaison between outside organizations/agencies staff and CCDOC sworn leadership to facilitate onsite programming for men, including (but not limited to) coordinating IDs, access letters, scheduling and program participant lists.
Propose, plan, and implement new initiatives in order to strengthen services provided to the population at CCDOC.
Provide consistent feedback to supervisor on ways of continually improving and streamlining program processes, operations and outcomes.
Assist in the implementation of a broad-based strategy to increase the provision of an access to programs at CCDOC which takes into account the demands of the population onsite, the effectiveness of existing programming at CCDOC, and the need for transitional linkages to community resources.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Possess an understanding of substance abuse and mental health issues and an expansive knowledge of Cook County community resources and networks available to the justice-involved population.
Possess a working knowledge of the justice system, the justice-involved population and the Cook County Department of Corrections.
Ability to establish and maintain appropriate rapport and boundaries with participants, work with integrity and treat others with respect.
Ability to collaborate effectively with social work, medical and mental health professionals that provide in-custody treatment services.
Possess excellent listening skills, with the ability to communicate effectively, speaking in an understandable way that conveys tact and courtesy with a diverse population.
Skill in maintaining highly detailed, efficient and accurate documentation and record keeping.
Possess strong writing skills, including the ability to translate reports, attendance sheets and progress notes into succinct, clear sentences.
Possess a passion for working closely with the justice-involved population, a strong sense of compassion and patience and an interest in serving an underserved population.
Knowledge of computer hardware and software, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, as appropriate and required.
Ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment; ability to multi-task and remain organized.
Ability to walk long distances or stand for extended periods of time throughout the course of the assigned shift.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a master’s or higher degree, from an accredited college or university, in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work or a closely related field.
Possession of an active state licensure in social work or counseling (Licensed Clinical Social Worker and/or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor).
Two (2) or more years of full time, professional work experience in a correctional or closely related setting, working directly with the justice-involved population.
Intermediate proficiency in the Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Ability to work within the Cook County Department of Corrections, including the ability to work directly with the detainee population.
Ability to walk long distances or stand for extended periods of time throughout the course of the assigned shift.
Preferred Qualifications
Possession of a Substance Abuse Counselor Certification.
Possession of bilingual language skills (English/Spanish).
The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.