Reentry Navigator

The Safer Foundation is a social service provider to individuals with arrest and conviction records. Through a full range of services, including case management, educational instruction and advocacy, we focus on preparing individuals for the world of work by helping them find and keep productive and meaningful employment.

General Summary:

Housed within Safer's Counseling and Wellness Center, the Reentry Navigator will be part of the team launching the Community Reentry Support Center and will report to the Reentry Navigator Manager. This grant-funded position by the Department of Family and Support Services will be part of a multi-disciplinary team that coordinates care across systems, responds to referrals, conducts screenings, provides case management, offers short-term interventions, and conducts warm handoffs to returning residents.

The Reentry Navigator is responsible for contacting and registering individuals within 24-48 hours of contact to the center. They will assess the client's needs, provide immediate assistance if necessary, and coordinate referrals within the network. The reentry navigator works with other departments to provide comprehensive care.

This position involves engaging with the community through outreach events and collaborative efforts to raise awareness of reentry services, employment opportunities, and occupational training programs.

Performance Results Description

The Position is properly performed when all essential duties and responsibilities are executed by following the Safer Values. Exceeding Expectations, Communication and Collaboration, Integrity, and Evidence Based Innovation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Interface and Service

• Respond to referrals within 24-48 hours, from the Community Reentry Support Center hotline, walk-ins, emails, and/or referrals.
• Conduct intake risk-needs assessments of participants to identify immediate and short-term needs, considering their preferred services, location, insurance and justice status, and other relevant factors.
• Ensure referrals to determine immediate and short-term needs, considering desired services, geography, client preference, insurance status, justice supervision status, and other relevant factors. Using Salesforce, and/or other database(s), register clients into the system.  Coordinate with medical, behavioral health, housing, and emergency housing agencies to assist participants.
• Co-create individualized service plans and provide cross-systems navigation to all participants and monthly service plan progress review.  Provide ongoing psychoeducation surrounding primary healthcare and overall wellness services.
• Provide all clients with direct coaching, advice, counseling, and follow-up.  Directly complete Medicaid/SNAP applications and, as necessary, assist with coverage redeterminations for recently released or whose benefits have lapsed.
• Based on emergent and expressed needs, assist clients with a range of services, such as housing, transportation, healthcare, substance abuse treatment, legal aid, and necessities, to aid in their reintegration into society and employment.
• Uphold client file compliance through prompt documentation completion, conducting self and peer reviews of client files.

Stakeholder Outreach and Recruitment

• Under the manager's direction, seek out, research, negotiate and establish new relationships with other agencies that welcome and are sensitive to the needs of the formerly incarcerated population.
• Works closely with Safer Foundation’s community network partners, hotline responders, SCWC staff members, clinical staff, reentry navigators, and participants, Director of Supportive Reentry Services, and Sr. Director of Operations.
  

Tracking, Document, and Reporting

• Complete all client documentation within a timely manner as directed by the Reentry Navigator Manager, Director of Supportive Reentry Services, or Sr. Director of Operations.
• Ensure accurate data entry by completing mandatory self-file reviews monthly.
• Engage in individual supervision with the Reentry Navigator Manager, identifying any immediate client needs or barriers to the reentry work/tasks given.  Maintain compliance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and other privacy and confidentiality laws and regulations for clients' protected information.
• Participate in all internal and external meetings bringing forth innovative ideas and/or feedback supporting continuous quality improvement and service delivery.  In Salesforce, monitor referrals and follow-up for all internal and external referrals.
• All contractual requirements are completed accurately, completely, and on time.
• All Safer standards are adhered to, including productivity standards.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to represent Safer Foundation professionally while developing a rapport with clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of common concepts, issues, and best practices concerning reentry
• Knowledge of computer-based and web-based applications (Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc.)
• Knowledgeable in providing case management services in one or more of the following areas: behavioral health, reentry, corrections, and medical/primary health.
• Knowledgeable about Medicaid in Illinois as well as other public benefits
• Knowledgeable about resources in the community for formerly incarcerated individuals
• Knowledgeable about housing resources and eligibility requirements for various housing types
• Ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve.
• Skilled in active listening and conveying information to others effectively.
• Skilled in Social Perceptiveness (Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do)
• Skilled in Critical Thinking, judgment, and decision-making
• Skilled in de-escalation techniques and conflict resolution
• Telephone etiquette skills
• Data entry skills

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma with 3 years’ experience working as a case manager in a social service setting required. Associate’s Degree with 2 years of experience working as a case manager in a social service setting required.
• Individuals with direct lived experience are welcomed.
• Experience working with individuals recently released from jail/prisons is preferred.
• Experience referring clients to a network of community-based providers and resources.
• Experience completing applications for public benefits.
• Experience in substance use/mental health or care coordination.
• Experience in working on virtual platforms (salesforce, google, DocuSign, etc.) or expressing willingness to learn.
• Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics and societal trends and influences
• Knowledge of how to leverage the internet and computer applications to obtain information.
• Skilled in active listening and conveying information to others effectively.
• Skilled in critical thinking, judgment, and decision-making
• In-depth practical knowledge of HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and Rule 2060 governing substance use treatment services in Illinois; Knowledge of Rule 132 is a plus.

Licenses and/or Certifications: Professional Competencies:

• Work Quality: Demonstrates and conducts a commitment to a high level of quality in all aspects of the job.
• Timeliness: Makes efficient and effective use of own time and assigned resources. Sets acceptable deadlines; meets these deadlines without sacrificing quality.
• Collaboration: Respects and works effectively with coworkers and others.
• Initiative: Seeks/cultivates and appropriately addresses opportunities to improve the work environment and to further Safer's mission. Follows through on open items, as necessary. To be proactive in addressing and seeking opportunities to enhance our mission in collaboration with one's supervisor.
• Stakeholder Relations: Routinely develops and maintains positive and supportive relations with clients, staff, partners, and funders. Provides a high level of service and support to all stakeholders.
• Problem Solving: Evaluates situations, identifies, and recommends options, applying creativity as appropriate. Develops and implements action plans that serve the best long-term interests of the customer. And makes sound decisions.
• Communications: Communicates in a practical, positive, and supportive manner with supervisor, coworkers, clients, and others. Knowing when and where sharing information is appropriate. Records and Reports: Maintains accurate and useful documents in accord with applicable procedures. Prepares and, as necessary, presents reports that are accurate, complete, and within prescribed time frames.
• Policy Adherence: Follows agency, departmental, and program policies.

Safer Foundation is a drug-free workplace.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Minorities/Females/Veterans
www.saferfoundation.org
No Phone Calls Please