Navigators play a critical role in connecting individuals with mental health needs to services in the community to improve health, wellness, and/or recovery outcomes. The job responsibilities listed below are guidelines from NYS OMH, and can be modified based on the program details, specific needs of the Court system, and individuals served. 1. Conduct initial screenings to assist with referrals to mental health and/or substance use treatment services and determine if a more comprehensive evaluation is needed. 2. Connect individuals with appropriate mental health services, treatment programs, and community resources based on their needs and circumstances, including when available, a connection to Single Point of Access (SPOA), Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) teams, Intensive and Sustained Engagement Teams (INSET), case management services, and/or Safe Options Support (SOS) teams. 3. Follow-up with referred individuals and community providers to ensure seamless transition and engagement in services. If individuals are not attending treatment, continue to encourage participation and, where possible, resolve potential barriers. 4. Develop and maintain a comprehensive guide of appropriate local behavioral health and social services linkages to assist in matching individuals with the best resources to promote health, wellness, and recovery. 5. Facilitate communication and collaboration with existing providers, criminal justice stakeholders, and state agencies on mental health related issues. Provide warm hand-off whenever possible including with existing HUB Mental Health (MH) Courts (Buffalo, Lackawanna and City of Tonawanda) Court coordinators, where appropriate. Mental Health (MH) HUB courts are described under “Scope of Professional Services” on page 8. 6. Provide participants with basic education about the Court process and terms. 7. Connect participants to resources for shelter, food, or other health-related social needs; as needed, aid and/or refer them for completion of applications of social services benefits. 8. Provide on-going training and consultation about Navigator services and available NYS and Erie County behavioral health resources to various criminal justice stakeholders and mental health agencies to increase referral opportunities. 9. Maintain clear and accurate records of participants served, contacts, interventions, and outcomes. Prepare NYS OMH and ECDMH reports as required. 10. Enter data on program referrals, participant demographics, interventions, and outcomes into the NYS OMH Diversion Center Navigator data collection system. 11. Coordinate with NYS OMH Diversion Center to discuss system issues and develop innovative solutions to barriers.
