Deflection Specialist - Belleville

Description:

Agency Overview: TASC, Inc. (Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities) is an Illinois-based nonprofit agency that provides specialized case management and client advocacy for people who are involved in courts, jails, prisons, foster care, and public health systems. In most of TASC’s programs, clients are referred to TASC because of substance use or mental health conditions. At our foundation, TASC services are designed to increase health and recovery, and reduce incarceration and recidivism. In addition to providing assessment, case management, and an array of other direct services across Illinois, TASC helps inform public policy and provides consultation and training services nationally and internationally.

The Deflection Division works collaboratively with law enforcement, and other community stakeholders, throughout Illinois to promote recovery from drug use, reduce drug overdoses, and interrupt the cycle of drugs and crime by deflecting individuals experiencing substance use and/or mental health disorders away from arrest and incarceration and into community-based support systems.

We are currently looking for full-time Deflection Specialist:

This position will be responsible for connecting with clients within targeted geographic communities to provide outreach, education, and training on the targeted subject matter; including substance abuse disorders, community resources, pre-arrest deflection, health insurance, etc. This position will serve as a public face of TASC in the designated areas and be responsible for direct client services and community partner relations and training.

Essential Duties:

• Provide assertive and continuous outreach activities related to direct services for participants
• Make referrals to all essential needed direct services: Substance abuse disorder treatment, recovery support services, housing, etc.
• Attend community events and conferences to provide education and awareness on law enforcement diversion and outreach to individuals with an opioid or substance use disorder.
• Conduct enrollment assistance for Medicaid with individuals who are without insurance when needed.
• Responsible for follow-up activities related to obtaining required for all participant needs.
• Develop effective working relationships with appropriate project staff and community partners, providers, police departments etc.
• Attend community events representing the program and TASC.
• Provide training on an ongoing basis related to the programs targeted goals and objectives and subject matter including naloxone administration & distribution.
• Work with victims of violence and assess their needs

Other function (Approximate 15% of time spent in this area)

• Attend all trainings and internal and external meetings as required
• Ensure that confidential information relating to the organization, its staff, and participants is kept confidential
• Be an excellent steward of TASC, modeling the core values of the organization

Requirements:

Our Ideal candidate:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in human services, social work, or psychology from an accredited college/university or related field
• Knowledge of human behavior for the assessment and signs and symptoms of substance abuse disorders. Specific knowledge is necessary for working with special populations.
• CADC preferred at time of hire
• One or more years of outreach work related to direct client services.
• One or more years of experience with providing training and/or presenting at local or national conferences preferred.
• Knowledge of treatment & service providers in suburban Cook County would be beneficial
• High organized with the ability to multitask possess great follow-up skills
• Ability to work independently
• Must be able to work well under pressure in a very fast-paced environment
• Good computers skills which include proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and the Internet
• Good communication, organizational, and time management skills
• Ability to work with a diverse population

If you are interested in this position, please visit the TASC website at https://www.tasc.org/tascweb/home.aspx.

TASC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free workplace. The agency does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran or military status or any other protected status in accordance with federal and state law.