Safer Foundation
Job Overview
Behavioral Health Navigator
– Safer Foundation, Chicago, IL
The Safer Foundation is a social service provider to individuals with arrest and conviction records. Through a full range of services, we focus on preparing individuals for work by helping them find and keep productive employment.
In partnership with the Illinois Department of Corrections, the Behavioral Health Navigator provides comprehensive behavioral health services to individuals in custody with substance use disorders and mental health challenges. The role includes case management, ASAM assessments, crisis intervention, group/individual counseling, and coordination of treatment, housing, and employment resources.
Responsibilities
Conduct initial screenings and risk-needs assessments, including ASAM 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 behavioral health and pre‑release/reentry support needs.
Facilitate evidence-based group therapy sessions—relapse prevention, CBT, and psychoeducation on trauma and substance use.
Provide brief therapy interventions, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and crisis stabilization.
Assist clients with Medicaid/SNAP applications and connect them to community-based treatment, MAT, and other recovery services.
Provide direct crisis intervention and de‑escalation for acute mental health or substance use crises.
Coordinate referrals to medical, behavioral health, housing, employment, and legal services.
Monitor client progress, conduct follow‑ups, and adjust service plans to support long‑term recovery and reintegration.
Maintain a caseload of approx. 25 participants and maintain regular contact.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Expertise in substance use disorder treatment, ASAM criteria, and behavioral health case management.
Knowledge of evidence‑based counseling techniques, including motivational interviewing, CBT, and trauma‑informed care.
Strong understanding of justice‑involved populations and barriers to care.
Familiarity with Illinois Medicaid, public benefits, and behavioral health service networks.
Proficiency in EHR systems such as CareLogic and Salesforce.
Ability to engage diverse client populations, including those with histories of incarceration, trauma, and substance use.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and online collaboration tools (Zoom/Teams, messaging).
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of experience in substance use treatment, mental health, or reentry services.
Minimum 2 years of experience in a substance use treatment environment.
Minimum 1 year of case management experience.
Minimum 1 year working with justice‑involved individuals.
Experience facilitating group therapy and individual counseling sessions.
Experience conducting ASAM assessments and developing treatment plans.
Lived experience in recovery and/or the justice system is highly preferred.
Licenses and Certifications
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) required.
Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), or equivalent credentials preferred.
Employment Type and Compensation Full time. Salary: $53,100 annually.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
– Safer Foundation, Chicago, IL
The Safer Foundation is a social service provider to individuals with arrest and conviction records. Through a full range of services, we focus on preparing individuals for work by helping them find and keep productive employment.
In partnership with the Illinois Department of Corrections, the Behavioral Health Navigator provides comprehensive behavioral health services to individuals in custody with substance use disorders and mental health challenges. The role includes case management, ASAM assessments, crisis intervention, group/individual counseling, and coordination of treatment, housing, and employment resources.
Responsibilities
Conduct initial screenings and risk-needs assessments, including ASAM 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 behavioral health and pre‑release/reentry support needs.
Facilitate evidence-based group therapy sessions—relapse prevention, CBT, and psychoeducation on trauma and substance use.
Provide brief therapy interventions, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and crisis stabilization.
Assist clients with Medicaid/SNAP applications and connect them to community-based treatment, MAT, and other recovery services.
Provide direct crisis intervention and de‑escalation for acute mental health or substance use crises.
Coordinate referrals to medical, behavioral health, housing, employment, and legal services.
Monitor client progress, conduct follow‑ups, and adjust service plans to support long‑term recovery and reintegration.
Maintain a caseload of approx. 25 participants and maintain regular contact.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Expertise in substance use disorder treatment, ASAM criteria, and behavioral health case management.
Knowledge of evidence‑based counseling techniques, including motivational interviewing, CBT, and trauma‑informed care.
Strong understanding of justice‑involved populations and barriers to care.
Familiarity with Illinois Medicaid, public benefits, and behavioral health service networks.
Proficiency in EHR systems such as CareLogic and Salesforce.
Ability to engage diverse client populations, including those with histories of incarceration, trauma, and substance use.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and online collaboration tools (Zoom/Teams, messaging).
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of experience in substance use treatment, mental health, or reentry services.
Minimum 2 years of experience in a substance use treatment environment.
Minimum 1 year of case management experience.
Minimum 1 year working with justice‑involved individuals.
Experience facilitating group therapy and individual counseling sessions.
Experience conducting ASAM assessments and developing treatment plans.
Lived experience in recovery and/or the justice system is highly preferred.
Licenses and Certifications
Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) required.
Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), or equivalent credentials preferred.
Employment Type and Compensation Full time. Salary: $53,100 annually.
#J-18808-Ljbffr