Integrated Support Services Specialist

Integrated Support Services Specialist

Reporting to the Aftercare Clinical Supervisor, the Integrated Support Services Specialist is responsible for providing hybrid office and field-based support to high-risk, high-needs clients transitioning from the Supervised Release Program. As part of the Clinical Services Department at Queens Supervised Release, this role delivers voluntary, extended aftercare services focused on behavioral health, housing readiness, and holistic recovery. The position emphasizes persistent engagement, trauma-informed care, and community-based service delivery across NYC.

Client Engagement & Support

• Screen clients for biopsychosocial needs—entitlements, medical, substance use, mental health, and housing—using engagement, observation, assessment tools, and team consultations.
• Conduct field-based assessments and provide ongoing community-based support, including the use of the University of Rhode Island Change Assessment (URICA), an Evidence-Based readiness assessment at predetermined intervals to document the client's change process and progress.
• Provide relentless engagement to clients who are persistently engaged in the criminal legal system to identify needs, monitor progress and adjust care plans on an ongoing basis.
• Develop and implement individualized action plans for stabilization, housing, employment, education, behavioral health, and recovery goals.
• Advocate for clients and coordinate with families, other support networks, and service providers.
• Educate families to promote treatment adherence and understanding of behavioral health conditions.
• Tailor service plans to integrate behavioral health goals with housing-readiness benchmarks.
• Facilitate and co-facilitate individual and group sessions using CBT and other Evidence-Based models.

Care Coordination & Service Navigation

• Facilitate access to medical care, entitlements, and integrated physical and mental health services.
• Link clients to employment support, vocational training, life skills programs, and housing application assistance.
• Coordinate with hospitals, shelters, and other partners to maintain continuity of care.
• Assist with scheduling, and required documentation (e.g., 2010e forms) and accompany clients to appointments as needed.
• Identify and address service gaps by leveraging partnerships across mental health, substance use, and housing systems.
• Provide warm handoffs and joint visits to ensure smooth transitions to longer-term services.

Housing Readiness & Transition

• Assess housing readiness and assist in obtaining identity documentation and or needed documentation for supportive housing. Coordinate with housing specialists for placement.
• Participate in case conferences and meetings to support housing transitions.
• Document all client interactions and referrals in a proprietary database; contribute to program evaluation and reporting.

Team Collaboration & Communication

• Communicate respectfully and effectively with multidisciplinary teams and diverse client populations.
• Participate in team meetings and case conferences to align client goals and strategies and ensure coordinated, client-centered care.
• Provide informed referrals and resource navigation to clients and community members.

Motivational Support & Behavioral Change

• Use motivational interviewing to enhance client readiness for both treatment and independent living.
• Use goal-based interventions to support behavioral change and recovery.
• Reinforce client self-efficacy and celebrate progress toward treatment goals.

DEIB

• Actively support the advancement of DEIB cultural competence, including but not limited to the recognition of identity, lived experience, racial, gender, and social equity in all programs, practices, and services.
• Provide input on integrating DEIB across internal processes and external engagements in collaboration with CJA program leadership and line staff responsible for supporting a diverse population of clients.
• Promote inclusive practices that elevate underrepresented voices in all programmatic initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; minimum two years' experience with justice-involved populations and behavioral health needs.
• Alternate requirement: Must have at least 5+ years of progressive experience in developing external partnerships, making community connections and referrals, supporting direct client facing work and providing input on programmatic design (especially for new initiatives).
• Experience in field-based clinical and/or case management support and familiarity with Queens-based services, preferred.
• Individuals with lived experience in recovery, homelessness, or the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Ability to contribute to SOP development and continuous program and/or services improvement.

Hours: M, W, F 9 am – 5 pm and Tues and Thurs 12 pm – 8 pm (flexibility with hours as operationally required)

Salary: $75K

CJA VALUES

• Commitment: We are committed to being active partners in criminal justice reform through initiatives and creative problem-solving that evaluate different methods and strategies for alternatives to detention.
• Fairness: We are guided by fairness and the presumption of innocence for those who are detained and work with integrity and without bias to protect the privacy and interest of court-involved people and their families.
• Innovation: We value curiosity as a driving force to lead the way in pretrial services. We use innovative techniques in research, pilot programs, and engaging justice-involved communities to execute our mission of reducing unnecessary pretrial detention.

BENEFITS: CJA offers a very generous benefit plan including health, dental and vision insurance, a comprehensive mental health, and wellness, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) plan, four weeks' vacation, paid holidays, and a retirement plan with employer matching contributions. CJA is also strongly committed to professional learning and development for its staff members and offers staff varied opportunities for learning and development through partnerships and vendor services for web based, in-person professional development training, as well as in-house job training and development.

Note: Only those candidates being considered will be contacted.

CJA is seeking applicants who pursue professional development pathways by participating in educational opportunities, reading professional publications, maintaining professional networks, and engaging with professional associations.

The New York City Criminal Justice Agency is an Equal Opportunity Employer

CJA is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.