The Senior Social Worker serves as the court-based navigator for youth participating in the Restorative Engagement and Diversion through Incarceration Reduction, Care & Treatment (REDIRECT) Project, a Proposition 47 initiative funded through the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC). The position is responsible for identifying eligible youth within the juvenile justice system, conducting screenings and needs assessments, coordinating diversion referrals, and facilitating connections to community-based services that support long-term stability and success.
Working closely with the San Joaquin County Public Defender's Office, Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), Friends Outside, Behavioral Health Services, and other community partners, the Senior Social Worker promotes diversion opportunities that reduce justice system involvement, improve behavioral health outcomes, and increase access to supportive services. This position requires extensive collaboration with justice, behavioral health, and community-based systems while maintaining a trauma-informed, client-centered approach.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Human Services, Criminal Justice, or a related field and three years of relevant experience working with justice-involved youth, behavioral health, diversion programs, or case management.
- Minimum of three years of professional experience providing case management, social services, behavioral health, diversion services, juvenile justice services, or related human services.
- Experience collaborating with courts, probation, behavioral health systems, schools, and community-based organizations preferred.
- Experience with grant-funded programs and outcome reporting preferred.
Duties
Court-Based Screening and Assessment
- Review juvenile court dockets and case information to identify youth potentially eligible for Proposition 47 diversion services.
- Conduct screenings, assessments, and interviews with youth and their families to determine eligibility and identify service needs.
- Utilize standardized screening and assessment tools to evaluate behavioral health, substance use, housing, educational, employment, family, and stabilization needs.
- Collaborate with attorneys, probation officers, judges, and court personnel to identify diversion opportunities.
- Document screening outcomes and maintain accurate referral and eligibility records.
Diversion Navigation and Service Coordination
- Serve as the primary liaison between the juvenile court and community-based service providers.
- Facilitate warm handoffs and direct introductions between youth, families, and service providers to improve engagement and participation.
- Coordinate referrals to behavioral health, substance use treatment, educational supports, employment services, housing resources, mentoring programs, and other supportive services.
- Provide resource information and ongoing support to youth and families throughout the referral and engagement process.
- Monitor service participation and address barriers to successful engagement.
Data Collection, Evaluation, and Reporting
- Maintain accurate case records, referral logs, service engagement documentation, and outcome tracking.
- Collect and report data necessary to meet BSCC Proposition 47 grant requirements.
- Assist with quarterly, semi-annual, and annual evaluation activities conducted by CSU Stanislaus and other evaluation partners.
- Track participant outcomes including referrals, service engagement, compliance, and recidivism indicators.
- Contribute to Local Evaluation Plans (LEP), Local Evaluation Reports (LER), and other required grant reports.
Program Compliance and Quality Assurance
- Ensure services are delivered in accordance with BSCC Proposition 47 grant requirements and project objectives.
- Maintain compliance with confidentiality regulations, ethical standards, and agency policies.
- Apply trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strength-based practices in all client interactions.
- Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of program goals.
