Early Diversion Outreach Specialist

Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm (Times may vary; occasional evening or weekend maybe required)

Location: Cape Girardeau, MO (Cape County)

Pay Non - Exempt: $20.00 - $22.40 per hour

Qualifications:

• Bachelor''s degree, or
• Any four-year combination of higher education and qualifying experience, or
• Four years of qualifying experience
• Must hold or obtain by start date, MO Class E Driver''s License (Class D for IL Residents), and proof of continuous Auto Insurance.

Job Summary:

As an Early Diversion Outreach Specialist, you''ll provide short-term outreach, engagement, and care coordination for adults living with mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders who may be at risk of criminal justice involvement. This role exists to help people connect to the right behavioral health supports earlier-before crises escalate.

Key responsibilities include building rapport in the community; coordinating with behavioral health providers, healthcare organizations, emergency responders, law enforcement, and other partners; offering behavioral health education; completing screenings; providing motivational support; and linking individuals to appropriate treatment and community resources. You''ll also support community education and training efforts that strengthen awareness and referral pathways.

Job Duties:

1. Conduct community outreach and engagement activities to identify adults with mental illness and co-occurring

substance use disorders who are at risk of criminal justice involvement.

2. Build collaborative relationships with law enforcement, EMS, fire departments, hospitals, behavioral health

providers, courts, and other community partners to promote early diversion and improve referral pathways.

3. Screen individuals for behavioral health needs and assist with early identification of mental health and

substance use concerns.

4. Provide brief engagement, motivational support, and crisis stabilization services to encourage participation in

treatment and recovery.

5. Coordinate care by connecting individuals with appropriate behavioral health, substance use treatment,

healthcare, housing, employment, and other community support services based on individual needs.

6. Maintain ongoing follow-up and navigation services until individuals are successfully linked to long-term

treatment and recovery supports, with services generally lasting no more than three months.

7. Educate individuals, families, and community partners regarding available behavioral health services, evidence-

based treatment options, and recovery resources.

8. Assist with the development, coordination, and delivery of community education and training on behavioral

health, substance use disorders, suicide prevention, trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, and early

diversion practices.

9. Participate in community system mapping, coalition meetings, and collaborative planning efforts to strengthen

local early diversion initiatives.

10. When available and appropriate, Early Diversion Outreach Specialists will respond alongside law enforcement

officers and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel during behavioral health-related calls for service.

11. Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential documentation of outreach activities, referrals, service

coordination, and client progress in accordance with agency policies and grant requirements.

12. Document in the electronic health record and other systems as required by programming.

13. Collect and report required program data and outcome measures to support grant compliance and program

evaluation.

14. Participate in required supervision, staff meetings, professional development, and ongoing training.

15. Perform other duties as assigned to support the goals of the Early Diversion Program and Community Counseling Center.

Why You''ll Love Working at CCC (Community Counseling Center)

• 24 Paid days off your first year + Birthday Off
• 7 Paid Holidays
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Company - Paid Life & LTD Insurance
• Retirement Plan with auto - enrollment
• And More