Co-Responder Outreach Case Manager

Description

Zepf Center has been serving the Lucas County community for over 50 years. We are the leading provider of behavioral health and substance use disorder services in Northwest Ohio. Services include adult and child psychiatric, substance abuse, case management, residential, Crisis Care, and therapy programs, as well as career development and wellness services. Zepf Center also offers primary care medical services to our patients to contribute to their continuum of care. Zepf Center is a trauma-informed agency and environment for both patients and staff.

General Summary:

This position is responsible for providing intensive outreach, engagement, follow-up, care coordination, resource navigation, and case management services for individuals identified through the Law Enforcement Co-Response Program. The Co-Response Case Manager serves as the primary follow-up contact for individuals who have interacted with law enforcement officers and the Clinical Law Enforcement Co-Responder due to behavioral health, substance use, homelessness, or other social determinants of health. This position focuses on building rapport and trust with individuals who may not initially engage in treatment, recognizing that meaningful engagement often requires multiple contacts over time.

The Co-Response Case Manager provides field-based and community-based services throughout Lucas County, meeting individuals where they are to reduce barriers to treatment, increase access to community resources, improve continuity of care, and decrease repeated law enforcement contacts, emergency department utilization, and behavioral health crises. This position works collaboratively with law enforcement agencies, the Clinical Law Enforcement Co-Responder, hospitals, crisis services, courts, shelters, treatment providers, and community partners to coordinate individualized service plans that promote recovery and long-term stability.

The primary office location for this position will be housed within a police department facility while spending significant time conducting community outreach and follow-up visits

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides follow-up services to individuals identified through law enforcement contacts and the Clinical Law Enforcement Co-Responder Program.
• Reviews referrals generated by law enforcement officers, clinicians, dispatch personnel, hospitals, community partners, and other agencies.
• Conducts outreach by telephone, home visits, community visits, and other engagement strategies to establish rapport with individuals who may be reluctant to seek services.
• Develops trusting therapeutic relationships through a trauma-informed, strengths-based, person-centered approach.
• Completes comprehensive needs assessments related to behavioral health, substance use, housing, employment, benefits, medical care, transportation, financial assistance, and other social determinants of health.
• Assists individuals with enrollment and linkage to behavioral health treatment, substance use treatment, primary care, peer recovery services, housing programs, shelters, employment services, food assistance, legal resources, and other community supports.
• Coordinates care among treatment providers, hospitals, criminal justice agencies, probation departments, law enforcement, family members, and other community partners while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.
• Assists individuals in overcoming barriers to treatment engagement including transportation, appointment scheduling, insurance navigation, documentation requirements, and benefit applications.
• Provides motivational interviewing, recovery-oriented support, and ongoing encouragement to individuals throughout the engagement process.
• Conducts follow-up after emergency department visits, psychiatric hospitalization, detoxification, incarceration, or other significant events when appropriate.
• Maintains frequent contact with individuals based upon level of need and individualized service planning.
• Participates in multidisciplinary staffing with law enforcement agencies, behavioral health providers, hospitals, and community partners.
• Maintains accurate documentation in accordance with agency standards, Medicaid requirements, and regulatory expectations.
• Collects required program outcome data and performance measures.
• Maintains confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, agency policies, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Participates in required trainings, community meetings, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Specific/Individual Competencies:
• Demonstrates exceptional interpersonal and engagement skills with difficult-to-reach populations.
• Maintains a non-judgmental, trauma-informed, culturally responsive approach to service delivery.
• Demonstrates persistence and creativity in engaging individuals who have historically been resistant to treatment.
• Maintains strong knowledge of community behavioral health, substance use, housing, medical, financial, and social service resources.
• Demonstrates effective conflict resolution and de-escalation skills.
• Maintains professional boundaries while developing therapeutic relationships.
• Works independently with minimal supervision while managing a flexible daily schedule.
• Demonstrates excellent organization, time management, and prioritization skills.
• Possesses strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrates sound judgment while working in community settings.
• Works collaboratively with law enforcement personnel while maintaining the role of behavioral health professional.
• Maintains CPR, First Aid, and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (CPI) certifications.

• Organizational Competencies:
• Demonstrate knowledge of the agency mission, vision, goals, and philosophy as well as the policies and procedures.
• Strive for high client satisfaction by providing leadership and assistance through the integrated care process.
• Demonstrate consistent professionalism.
• Demonstrate teamwork.
• Abide by agency and professional codes of ethics.
• Strive to improve individual and agency operations.
• Commit to cultivating a trauma-informed environment through Sanctuary principles.
• Incorporate Sanctuary techniques into daily work.
• Participate in Sanctuary initiatives and process teams.

Specific/Individual Competencies:

• Professional approach to all functions and relationships with all levels of staff, clients, other agencies, and the public.
• Abides by the agency’s code of ethics.
• Strives to continuously improve own and agency objectives and operations.
• Incorporates Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) techniques into daily work activities.
• Participates on CQI process teams and/or supports CQI initiatives.

Organizational Competencies:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the agency mission, vision, goals, and philosophy as well as the policies and procedures.
• Strives for high client satisfaction by providing leadership and/or assistance to coworkers and clients through the integrated care process.
• Demonstrate consistent professionalism.
• Demonstrate teamwork.
• Abide by the agencies and/or professional code of ethics.
• Zepf Center is committed to providing a culture of trauma-informed care through the Sanctuary Model

EOE/M/F/D/V/SO

Requirements

Position Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or related field required.
• LPC/LSW preferred.
• Two years of experience in behavioral health, substance use treatment, case management, crisis services, outreach, or community-based services preferred.
• Experience working with individuals experiencing serious mental illness, substance use disorders, homelessness, or criminal justice involvement preferred.
• Experience working collaboratively with law enforcement or criminal justice partners preferred.
• Valid driver's license with acceptable driving record required.
• Must pass police department background investigation and agency background check.
• Must pass pre-employment drug screening.
• Ability to safely work independently within community settings.
• Ability to maintain flexible scheduling based upon client and operational needs.

Physical Requirements

Physical demands described are representative of those that must be routinely met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these duties.

• Frequent driving throughout Lucas County.
• Ability to walk, stand, sit, bend, and navigate community environments.
• Ability to enter homes, shelters, hospitals, correctional facilities, and public settings.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.
• Ability to respond appropriately in unpredictable community situations.
• Environmental Conditions
• Primary office location housed within a police department facility.
• Significant time spent conducting outreach within the community.
• Work performed in homes, hospitals, shelters, correctional facilities, treatment centers, public spaces, and community agencies.
• Frequent interaction with individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, substance use disorders, homelessness, or other complex needs.
• Schedule may include evenings, weekends, holidays, or flexible hours based on operational needs.

Those eligible to drive company vehicles must have a valid driver's license and be eligible for coverage as defined by the agency commercial insurance carrier. Those who drive personal vehicles in the course of business must be able to provide proof of insurance.