Director of Court Services bei The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (“The HARRIS CENTER”) is seeking a visionary and dynamic Director of Court Services to serve in our Forensic Mental Health department.  The Director of Court Services provides comprehensive support to the operations of the Jail Based Competency Restoration Program (JBCR), Forensic Single Portal (FSP) and Competency and Sanity Unit (C&S). This support includes both contractual and fiscal obligations for each of the programs. Requires submitting documentation to various intra and inter stakeholders. This person will serve as the main point of contact and line of communication from the courts, District Attorney, Public Defenders Office, Community Supervision Corrections Department, Defense Attorney to services provided by the Harris Center. Must have an understanding of Community Based Standards, TX Health and Human Services Standards, NCCHC, Tx Jail Commission and TCOOMMI etc.

Your Role in Action:

• Coordinates and implements business activities necessary to maintain day to day operations in accordance with organization/departmental procedures for Competency and Sanity (C&S), Jail Based Competency Restoration (JBCR) and Forensic Single Portal (FSP).
• Ensures the daily monitoring of JBCR defendants and referrals to the program so that the program operates at or near full capacity while maintaining 80% restoration rate and to meet all contract requirements.
• Ensures clear communication with the courts and advocates on patients behalf to help expedite legal proceedings.
• Ensures the monitoring of patients pending admission to and returning from competency restoration programs to include psychiatric care, case management, medication compliance and discharge planning.
• Ensures discharge planning for Forensic Committed individuals returning to the local community from a state approved competency restoration program via the Harris County Jail. 
• Ensures the competency and sanity unit operates within statutory guidelines and provides clear communication to court administration to include but not limited to areas of concern and up to date status of program.
• Provides supervision to designated unit staff to facilitate optimal staff performance of job duties.
• Evaluates work performance of staff supervised and institutes written disciplinary actions for substandard performance when to include but not limited to productivity standards, documentation and data submission.
• Participates in the hiring and termination process of supervised staff.
• Institutes procedures/actions of follow up on incidents/safety issues that pose a liability risk for the agency and/or have a significant impact on the quality of consumer care.
• Complies with The Harris Center and Harris County Sheriff’s Offices policies and procedures, along with any other state or county accrediting/regulatory bodies and contractual requirements.
• Monitors patient services for quality and clinical appropriateness.
• Performs other related duties as assigned and adapts to changing work requirements.

• Contributes to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma-informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.

What qualifications you will need:

Education:

• Master’s degree (M.A.) or equivalent
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Marriage and Family 
  Therapist (LMFT).

Experience:

• Must have 7 years’ experience working in a mental health setting with 5 years of supervisory experience; 
  experience working in a jail preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• The person must have well developed interpersonal, organizational skills and be a team player with a desire to provide high level customer service. Effective time management and organizational skills. 
• Possess strong verbal and communications skills and interacts effectively at all levels within the organization.
• Basic Knowledge of Competency and Sanity Evaluations and restorations statues.
• Must maintain current licensure/credential with appropriate state licensure board.
• Ability to lead others.
• Good interpersonal and public relation skills.
• Solid analytical, creative, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to identify and offer solutions to resolve problems, using knowledge of the organization to identify helpful resources.
• Able to work well independently and willing to work on assigned shift/days

About us:

The Harris Center is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas.  As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provides care to over 90,000 people and has an annual budget of over $300 million.

As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The Harris Center provides a full continuum of services at 80 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 40 different languages as well as sign language in order to better serve what is one of the largest communities in the nation.

By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.

What else you should know:

• This posting is associated with position #62071
• Monday to Friday 8am -5pm

What we have to offer:

The Harris Center not only offers a competitive salary but also a suite of excellent benefits designed to enrich your life both professionally and personally. Imagine a future with a robust retirement plan complemented by our generous company matching – a testament to our investment in your long-term financial well-being. Experience the unique advantage of our prior service credit, accelerating your journey towards a more substantial Paid Time Off accrual, empowering you to enjoy well-deserved breaks.

Enjoy Cell Phone Discounts, exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work, and a free Headspace subscription for mental wellness. Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program supports your overall well-being.

Take advantage of significant financial relief through student loan forgiveness as a valued member of The Harris Center team. As a qualifying entity, our employees are eligible for various student loan forgiveness programs, designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with higher education.

Contributes to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma-informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.