Crisis Intervention Specialists (Mental Health Response and Homeless Response/Outreach) (20413886)

The Department

The Human Services Department works to support a vibrant community through the creation and maintenance of services that empower individuals, strengthen families, encourage self-sufficiency, enhances neighborhoods and fosters a high quality of life. The Department values its people, creativity, quality service, integrity, open communication, collaboration, building community partnerships, mutual respect and diversity. Our staff finds their work challenging, yet rewarding, and most importantly they enjoy the chance to make a difference through public service.

The Team

The Mobile Evaluation Team (MET) is a co-responder team comprised of officers from the Fremont Police Department, Crisis Intervention Clinicians from the City of Fremont Human Services Department, and Social Workers from Washington Hospital Healthcare System. MET is a predominantly field-based team that provides comprehensive and compassionate services to Fremont’s most vulnerable populations, including community members experiencing homelessness and/ or mental illness. MET provides crisis intervention and de-escalation, guidance and encouragement, and connects community members needing assistance with local mental health and homeless service providers. MET works to support community members, engaged in services, to pursue healthy outcomes. MET provides resources to homeless encampment areas, sometimes in conjunction with City abatement activities.

The team coordinates their efforts and interfaces with other service agencies working with the same population(s). Collaboration is key to the success of the MET program.

The Positions

There are currently two positions available within the Human Services Department, working as members of the City’s Mobile Evaluation Team (MET).

The two positions will be cross-trained and will work collaboratively with each other to provide complementary services to the community as each position will have a different primary focus. Both positions will be supervised by the FRC Clinical Supervisor who , with the MET Sergeant, will structure training and team building opportunities for both Crisis Intervention Specialists. Both Crisis Intervention Specialists are expected to become familiar in the utilization of HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) with the ability to update data, and with Alameda County’s Coordinated Entry System (CES) and Community Health Record (CHR). Both Clinicians will also be trained to utilize and record pertinent data in the Human Service Department’s Electronic Data Base: My Evolv.

Position 1: Crisis Intervention Specialist (Mental Health Response)

This position will receive assignments and field supervision from the MET Sergeant in the Police Department, with many calls for service coming directly through the Police Dispatch System. Most of the work will be conducted in the field. This position will be working and riding in tandem, with the Police Department’s compliment of MET officers, on calls which may require intervention and assessment for 5150 status. The Crisis intervention Specialist responding to Mental Health Crisis calls will be responsible for facilitating client connections to and assisting with appropriate placements for those needing stabilization services. This position will coordinate with ACCESS, outpatient and residential programs. Follow-up with clients and family members will also be conducted to provide on-going support and resources, as needed. This may also respond to calls related to homelessness complaints or, prior to abatement activities. The incumbent in this position must be comfortable working within the police command structure and the unique law enforcement culture where trust and follow-through are essential elements of the job.

Position 2: Crisis Intervention Specialist (Homelessness Response/Outreach)

This position will primarily focus on working with the homeless population and is expected to carry a small caseload of homeless clients (for up to 90 days) who are pursuing housing stability services or until client is transferred to a more long-term case manager or housing navigator. This position will work with clients who may also need a variety of medical, mental health, SUD, educational and other social services.

Assignments will be coordinated by the FRC Clinical Supervisor who will be working closely with both the Homeless Services Manager in the City Manager’s office, the FRC Clinical Supervisor focusing on Housing Navigation and Sustainability Services and the MET Sergeant in the Police Department. If there is no crisis situation, the two Crisis Intervention Specialists, or a Crisis Intervention Specialist and a Social Worker, may be deployed through Human Services to provide client outreach and follow-up services. Additionally, both Crisis Intervention Specialist(s) may also be asked to accompany a Code Enforcement Officer, or Environmental Services Specialist or member of the Fire Department to provide information and resources to homeless residents.

Examples of Duties

• Accompany or assist clients in accessing needed services and advocates on their behalf.
• Work to maintain an updated resource list outlining services and programs to support client population.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with staff in the Police and Human Services Department, other City Departments, hospitals, health care professionals, family service providers, the Family Resource Center, homeless/housing service providers and the community at large.
• Maintain program documentation and outcome measures
• Prepare written and statistical reports
• Complete Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) Attends regular and ongoing coordination meetings with other MET team members
• Prepare correspondence and reports on client histories, treatment progress and other matters related to case treatment.
• Enter data into client data base system (MyEvolv).

In addition to the listed examples of duties, the specific assignments have the following responsibilities:

Crisis Intervention Specialist (Homelessness Response/Outreach)

• Provide harm reduction education and supply distribution to encampments and unsheltered individuals
• Coordinate outreach and follow up to locations identified by City staff, Council and community members.
• Develop safety plans.
• Establish a health home, including arranging required transportation to and from services.
• Conduct housing problem solving and housing assessment, as part of Alameda County’s Coordinated Entry System assessments at locations where client is comfortable, and which are easily accessible.
• Assist with housing applications and documentation procurement, as needed to obtain housing.
• Utilize Alameda County’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to enter, retrieve and update data.
• On an as needed basis, this position may also be asked to fulfill the role of the Crisis Intervention Specialist, assigned to the Police Department, focused on Mental Health interventions and will be trained and expected to follow appropriate police safety protocols when riding with a Police Officer.

Crisis Intervention Specialist (Mental Health Response)

• In response to crisis calls through the Police Department, the Crisis Intervention Specialist will normally be deployed with a police officer and will be trained on and follow appropriate police protocols.
• Conduct wellness checks.
• Develop safety plans.
• Provide medication support.
• Where there is no crisis situation, two Crisis Intervention Specialists, or a Crisis Intervention Specialist and a Social Worker, may be deployed through Human Services to provide client outreach and follow-up services. Additionally, a Crisis Intervention Specialist may also be asked to accompany a Code Enforcement Officer, or Environmental Services Specialist or member of the Fire Department to provide information and resources to homeless residents.
• Receive client referrals or duty assignments through Police Dispatch or the MET Sergeant.