Position Details

Crisis Intervention Specialist

Under the direction of the Crisis Intervention Supervisor and within federal, state, and local guidelines performs advanced and/or supervisory case management work.  The Crisis Intervention Specialist is responsible for the overall implementation of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Crisis Services for Denton County MHMR Center in accordance with the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) Performance Contract, Attachments Y and Z. Responsibilities include education, training, and coordination for Individual and their family, Center staff and/or contract service providers including the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT), Crisis Respite staff, Behavior Support staff, Service Coordination staff, and any other service providers associated with the individual.  Will work in Center facilities, in individual's homes, in the community as well as the flexibility to do telecommuting when applicable. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Education, Training, and Experience

  • A bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited college or university with a major in a social, behavioral, or human service field including, but not limited to, psychology, social work, medicine, nursing, rehabilitation, counseling, sociology, human development, gerontology, educational psychology, education, and criminal justice is required.
  • A minimum of two (2) years of experience working with individuals with IDD who have mental health and behavior support needs or linking people with IDD to mental health supports.
  • One year of required experience of a qualified intellectual disability professional described in 42 CFR , ?483.430(a)(1). 
  • English/Spanish bi-lingual preferred.

Registration, Certification, Licensure, and Other Qualifications

  • Must have and maintain a background and criminal history free from any disqualifying offenses as outlined by the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) and the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
  • Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and automobile insurance.
    • Individuals with an out-of-state driver's license must be able to obtain a driver's license in the state of Texas within thirty (30) days.
  • Successful completion of all position-specific training within thirty (30) days of employment is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Understanding and practice of Trauma Informed Care principles.
  • Ability to interact with potentially aggressive Individuals.
  • Must be knowledgeable about IDD programs and services in the local service area.
  • Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate therapeutic support plans for each Individual.
  • Skills include assessment of individual support needs, historical information, and identifying treatment goals.
  • Skills and ability to develop, implement and evaluate in-home or out-of-home respite plans.
  • Ability to gather, analyze, and report data.
  • Ability to communicate professionally in written and oral communication.
  • All job specific training must be completed within 30 days of hire including training modules available at https://tango.uthscsa.edu/mhwidd.
  • Ability to display regular and reliable (in-person, if required) attendance.
  • Understanding and practice of Trauma Informed Care principles.

Essential Duties

The following list outlines key responsibilities for the position; however, it is not exhaustive and does not encompass all responsibilities. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

Provides information about Center IDD programs and services to Individuals with IDD, their families, and IDD providers in the local service area.

  • Provides information about IDD Programs and services within three business days of request.

Collaborates with appropriate LIDDA staff , Transition Support Team members, Community Resource Committee Group (CRCG) members, other Center Supervisors/Program Managers, and community members/organizations to identify Individuals with IDD in the LIDDA's local service area who are at risk of requiring crisis services.

  • Collaborates and communicates Transition Support Team members.
  • Collaborates and communicates with LIDDA staff and/or Denton County MHMR Guardianship program.
  • Attend monthly Staffing meeting with Contracted Psychologist.

Completion of CIS assessments to identify Individual's historical information, Individual's treatment goals, and to identify potential support needs. CIS assessments include: CIS Triage form; BioPsychoSocial Assessment; Prevention, Stabilization, and Safety Plan.

  • Completes CIS Triage at the time of referral/ consultation.
  • Completes BioPsychoSocial Assessment on all Individual in crisis.
  • Completed Prevention, Stabilization, and Safety Plan with Individual is reporting suicide risk.

Collaborate with the Service Coordinator, other members of the Service Planning Team, and paid provider to identify:

  • Prevention strategies to avoid potential crisis events and to promote the Individual's coping skills.
  • Training and support needs that provide the greatest chance of success of living in the community, such as scheduled respite services or planned crisis respite to avoid a potential crisis event.
  • Address concerns and issues identified during follow-up and monitoring visits, such as involvement with law enforcement or emergency room visits.
    • Collaborate no later than the end of the next business day with Service Coordinators, Service Planning Team, and paid providers.

Identifies Individuals in need of accessing IDD Crisis Respite ?KIVA? house services for the prevention, reduction, and/or stabilization of current crisis.

  • Collaborates with IDD Crisis Respite ?KIVA? contracted staff, Denton County MHMR staff members, Individual's natural support systems, Individual's Service Planning team,  and/or community partners on possible crisis respite admission.
  • Assist Individuals on completing Nursing Assessment prior to admission into IDD Crisis Respite ?KIVA? house.
  • Ensure Individual has access to all medication, clothing, and items while at IDD Crisis Respite ?KIVA? house.
  • Collaboration with Individual and/or LAR on the completion of all IDD Crisis Respite ?KIVA? house admission paperwork
  • Ensure Individual meets with designated Crisis Intervention team member weekly to discuss Individual's goals, case progression, and any other questions/comments/concerns.

Collaborates with the Service Coordinator, other members of the Service Planning Team, paid providers and natural support systems regarding crisis follow-up and relapse prevention activities, including:

  • Assist with an Individual's transition from crisis respite back to their home or other appropriate setting.
  • Addresses concerns and issues identified during follow-up and monitoring visits, such as involvement with law enforcement or emergency room visits.
  • Documents all activities, collaboration, and consultation.
    • Collaborates with Service Coordination or other members of the Service Planning Team by the end of the next business day.
    • Address follow-up issues within three business days.

Identifies Individuals previously and/or currently receiving LIDDA services incarcerated within a local/state facility by accessing TLETS/MBOW jail report.

  • Accessing the jail match reports upon notification of an exact or probable match. Jail match reports are housed in the Mental and Behavioral Health Outpatient Warehouse (MBOW)
  • Confirm the matched person received the specific services tied to the grid codes that TLETS identified and determine if the person is currently open to services or if they were served in the past three years.
  • Coordinates with the Individual's Service Coordinator, if applicable
  • Collaborates with the correctional institution to:
    • Clarify the status of the person.
    • Pull the person from the general population, if not already separated
    • Identify treatment or service needs.
    • Coordinates collaborative post release diversion initiatives to assist the person in discharging from the correctional institution.
  • Collaborate with Denton County MHMR MCOT's Jail In-Reach Liaison in the case the Individual reports suicidal risk.