Outreach Coordinator/Crisis Specialist Ii

The purpose of the Outreach Coordinator/Crisis Specialist II is to recruit individuals (e.g., school personnel and emergency services personnel including fire department and law enforcement personnel, veterans, armed services members and their families, etc.) to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental disorders and how to safely de-escalate crisis situations involving individuals with a mental illness and (2) provide education on resources available in the community for individuals with a mental illness and other relevant resources, including how to establish linkages with school and/or community-based mental health agencies. With this program, NESS aims to increase the number of individuals prepared and trained on how to respond to individuals with mental disorders appropriately and safely. In accordance with Executive Order 14074, this program will help build secure, safe, and healthy communities; reinforce partnership between law enforcement and communities; and increase public trust and enhance public safety.

Populations of Focus:

· Teachers and relevant school personnel (e.g., school resource officers, security officers, truancy officers, support staff, transportation providers, afterschool providers) who interact with children and youth in a school setting.

· Law enforcement and emergency services personnel (e.g., paramedics, firefighters, emergency medical technicians) who are in regular contact with the general public and may need to safely de-escalate crisis situations.

· Institutions of higher education personnel who interact with college students.

· Families, caregivers, and service providers in contact with armed services personnel, veterans, and their families.

· Parents and caregivers of children and youth with or at risk for a serious emotional disturbance or youth experiencing a first episode of psychosis.

· Primary and specialty providers of medical care who provide prevention and treatment services to the general public (e.g., obstetricians who treat women with post-partum depression; general practitioners who interact with patients with co-occurring disorders).

· Community leaders, faith-based leaders, and other trusted individuals and organizations within diverse racial, and ethnic, sexual and gender minority communities.

· Primary and specialty providers of medical care who provide prevention and treatment services to the general public (e.g., obstetricians who treat women with post-partum depression; general practitioners who interact with patients with co-occurring disorders).

· Community leaders, faith-based leaders, and other trusted individuals and organizations within diverse racial, and ethnic, sexual and gender minority communities.

Essential Functions:

OUTREACH:

· Provide community outreach and engagement to recruit training participants

· Distribute appropriate resources to include, but not limited to, mental health services agencies and other appropriate resources that can be used by individuals trained in mental health awareness.

· Provide outreach to collaborative partners & relevant community agencies to assist with responding to mental health issues and improve coordination of services for the population of focus.

· Serve as liaison between the field and The Ness Center Intake/Admissions Department/Crisis Services Team, provide linkage to TNC for referrals for screening, assessment, and/or services.

· Develop working referral relationships with assigned DCO’s, coordinate care and keep team informed of any opportunities related to the program and population of focus.

· Refer and link the population of focus to behavioral health resources and services that are culturally and linguistically appropriate for diverse populations of focus

· Refer and link the population of focus to mental health resources and services.

· Safely and appropriately de-escalate crisis situations involving the population of focus when needed

· Be aware of the changes in knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs as a result of those receiving mental health awareness training.

· Provide content from the field to the project director, such as (photos, flyers, blogs, or any other information to help with the dissemination of mental health awareness information, resources, training opportunities, community outreach activities) to decrease stigma related to mental health.

· Implement evidence-based social marketing to reduce stigma about persons with mental illness and raise awareness of the need for culturally competent and developmentally appropriate services for the population of focus.

CRISIS RESPONSE:

· Triage and/or respond to requests for crisis intervention/crisis stabilization, in the community, pre-admission screening and crisis intervention will be delivered in compliance with emergency services policies and procedures

· Work closely with law enforcement to provide support to individuals who may require mental health intervention instead of or in addition to law enforcement response

· Assist in diverting clients from more intensive levels of care and maintaining clients in their home communities, when appropriate

· Providing counseling to individuals and families and referring to s