Health Program Analyst I, Criminal Courts Diversion

SUMMARY

The Health Program Analyst I (HPA I) is responsible for assisting the court team leads in supporting the pre-release and court-based work for ODR’s criminal court diversion programs, for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR). ODR’s criminal court diversion programs include ODR Housing and Maternal Health. The ODR Housing program is a permanent supportive housing program serving individuals who are homeless, have a serious mental health disorder, and are diverted into services after being incarcerated in the Los Angeles County Jail. Clients in the ODR Housing program are referred to interim housing and assigned an Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS) provider, who works with the client as they transition from custody to community and on to permanent supportive housing.

This role will legally and clinically screen potential program participants to determine program eligibility and submit written affidavits to the court to advocate for mental health diversion. The HPA I will be present at one or more of the three ODR criminal court hubs (LAX Courthouse, Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Court Center, and Los Angeles Superior Court in Van Nuys) to meet with clients in court lock-up and assist with eligibility assessment, represent ODR in engagement with the court and justice partners, advocate on the client’s behalf, and provide recommendations for support post release. Additionally, the HPA I will be present in court on progress report days to provide consultation and support to clients and their community-based case managers in support of the client’s treatment plan.

Currently, ODR has a hybrid work schedule with a combination of workdays in the office, in the field and remote. This may change at discretion of DHS.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS of the Health Program Analyst I include, but are not limited to :

• Partner with the ODR Court hub team lead (HPA I) to assist with all aspects of the pre-release diversion process for the ODR Housing program.
• Assess program candidates received via referrals from attorneys. Verify clinical and legal eligibility via review of health and legal records or client assessment.
• Conduct jail in-reach as necessary to engage potential clients, provide orientation to the program, or further assess eligibility.
• Meet with program candidates in court lock-up, accompanied by a sheriff deputy, to conduct client interviews and make recommendations for program suitability and service / resource linkage.
• Document summaries of potential program candidates’ legal and health histories to support court advocacy.
• Participate and engage with Justice Partners working within the Criminal Court Diversion population, including those working in the court, jail, and community.
• Submit written affidavits to the court advocating for mental health diversion for eligible candidates.
• Work with justice partners to submit affidavits recommending candidates to be calendared for diversion suitability hearings.
• Act as a liaison to Justice partners working within the criminal court diversion population, including those working in the court, jail, and community.
• In collaboration with ODR Physicians, join ODR’s in-court advocacy for and treatment of ODR candidates and clients, including being present in the court on suitability and progress report days.
• Review court documentation including progress reports, AWOL reports, and other court documentation to ensure accuracy and alignment with court orders.
• Assist in preparing project reports including referral tracking, candidate screening results, and court outcomes.
• Confers with administrators and with representatives of other jurisdictions and agencies to discuss new and ongoing programs and to exchange
• Coordinates and collaborates with all project partners (e.g., Office of Diversion and Re-Entry, participating departments, contracted agencies, stakeholder groups) to ensure all elements of the projects operate in the most efficient and effective manner.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Option I  : A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Counseling, Health Care Administration / Management, Public Administration, Behavioral Sciences, Social Sciences, Business Administration, or a closely related field AND  two years of direct professional experience working with persons experiencing homelessness, serious mental illness, or justice involvement, in the role of case manager, clinician, outreach worker, program manager, or similar.

A Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Counseling, Health Care Administration / Management, Public Administration, Behavioral Sciences, Social Sciences, Business Administration, or a closely related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience in the analysis of mental health or public health programs. This is only applicable to option I.

Option II :  Four years of direct professional experience working with persons experiencing homelessness, serious mental illness, or justice involvement, in the role of case manager, clinician, outreach worker, program manager, or similar.

Preferred Education / Experience

Certificates / Licenses / Clearances

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stand : Frequently

Walk : Frequently

Sit : Frequently

Handling / Fingerin g : Occasionally

Reach Outward : Occasionally

Reach Above Shoulder : Occasionally

Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend : Occasionally

Lift / Carry : Occasionally - Up to 30 lbs

Push / Pull : Occasionally - Up to 30 lbs

See : Constantly

Taste / Smell : Not Applicable

Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions

Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs / day)

Frequently = (2 - 5 hrs / day)

Constantly = (5+ hrs / day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.