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Safer Foundation · 5 hours ago

Behavioral Health Navigator

Chicago, IL

Full-time

Onsite

Entry, Mid Level

$53K/yr - $53K/yr

2+ years exp

Safer Foundation is a social service provider focused on helping individuals with arrest and conviction records. The Behavioral Health Navigator plays a critical role in supporting individuals with substance use disorders and mental health challenges, providing comprehensive behavioral health services including case management and counseling.

Individual & Family Services

Responsibilities

Conduct initial screenings and risk-needs assessments, including ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine) assessments and health related service needs evaluations

Provide individual and group counseling to clients experiencing substance use and mental health disorders

Develop and implement individualized treatment plans, incorporating both behavioral health and pre-release and reentry support needs

Facilitate evidence-based group therapy sessions, including but not limited to relapse prevention, cognitive behavioral interventions, and psychoeducation on trauma and substance use

Provide brief therapy interventions, including emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and crisis stabilization

Assist clients in navigating Medicaid/SNAP applications and connecting to community-based behavioral health treatment, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and other recovery services

Provide direct crisis intervention and de-escalation for individuals experiencing acute mental health or substance use crises

Ensure continuity of care by coordinating referrals to medical, behavioral health, housing, employment, and legal services

Monitor client progress, conduct follow-ups, and adjust service plans as needed to support long-term recovery and reintegration

Maintain a caseload of approximately 25 participants, ensuring regular contact and engagement

Work collaboratively with reentry programs, behavioral health providers, correctional facilities, community organizations, and social service agencies to ensure seamless service delivery

Participate in integrated staffings with internal teams and external providers to coordinate care and case planning

Advocate for participants by addressing barriers to reentry, behavioral health treatment, and social services

Maintain accurate client records and case notes in Salesforce, CareLogic, and other electronic health record systems

Complete ASAM assessments, progress notes, and treatment plans in compliance with Illinois Rule 2060 and Medicaid standards

Ensure compliance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and other privacy/confidentiality regulations

Conduct monthly self-reviews of documentation to uphold quality standards and contractual requirements

Track client referrals and follow-up on service engagement and outcomes

Qualification

Substance use disorder treatmentASAM assessmentsBehavioral health case managementCognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)Motivational interviewingTrauma-informed careElectronic health record systemsClient engagementMicrosoft OfficeCrisis interventionGroup therapy facilitationIndividual counselingJustice-involved populationsCommunity resource navigation

Required

Bachelor's Degree with 2 years of experience in substance use treatment, mental health, or reentry services required

Minimum of 2 years of experience working in a substance use treatment environment required

Minimum of 1 year of case management experience required

Minimum of 1 year working with justice-involved individuals required

Expertise in substance use disorder treatment, ASAM criteria, and behavioral health case management

Knowledge of evidence-based counseling techniques, including motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and trauma-informed care

Strong understanding of justice-involved populations and the barriers they face in accessing care

Familiarity with Illinois Medicaid, public benefits, and behavioral health service networks

Proficiency in electronic health record (EHR) systems, such as CareLogic and Salesforce

Ability to engage and build trust with diverse client populations, including those with histories of incarceration, trauma, and substance use

Hands-on experience and self-sufficiency with Microsoft productivity tools, including Outlook (for email), Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and online collaboration tools (video conferencing, Zoom/Teams, messaging)

Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) required