The Drug Treatment Court Program is contained within the criminal justice system and operates within the same framework that governs all adult criminal court proceedings in the Provincial Court of Alberta. The Drug Treatment Court operates based on a guilty plea with a delayed sentencing process (s.720(2) of the Criminal Code. It is the responsibility of this position to coordinate service participant programs and services in line with court and treatment obligations, and program expectations. This position works collaboratively with the probation officer and other members of the multi-disciplinary team and reports directly to the Program Manager.
This role of the Case Manager is to assist participants in reducing drug abuse with a goal of abstinence, as well as to support participants in changing criminal and addictive thinking patterns, address the issues behind their addiction, and to restore justice by reducing criminal recidivism and victimization in the community, by giving participants the opportunity to become productive, contributing members of society. This is accomplished through establishing a treatment plan in collaboration with the probation officer, following the five-phase model, frequent court appearances, deliverance of sanctions and rewards as it relates to participant behaviour and working in close partnership with multi-disciplinary team members, which includes judges, crown prosecutors, police, and duty counsel.
The decisions that this position makes will directly impact on the lives of those selected to participate in the program however strict adherence to the program guidelines are an essential component of this position. This is a justice-focused program not a social services program.
Key Responsibilities
Scope and Influence
Influence is to be exerted in the best interests of the organization and fidelity to the Drug Treatment Court Program while strongly supporting its mission, values, and guiding principles. The position is a key support to the Manager in completing their duties and responsibilities.
DTC Specific Mission and Vision: To protect the community by reducing drug driven crimes in balance of rehabilitation of participants.
Values: In our interactions with all stakeholders: commitment, trust, empathy, respect, and genuineness.
Guiding Principles: quality service, community safety, accountability, honesty, leadership excellence, professionalism, communication, engagement, unity.
Specific Duties
- Administration:
- Maintain and monitor all file documentation as per program policy
- Maintain accurate and timely data collection, data entry and completion of any program assessment and surveys as per Pastew Place and program policy
- Managing a caseload of up to 10 participants
- Document interactions with participants in case notes within 48 hours, unless otherwise directed by program manager
- Accurately observe and record drug analysis testing results daily
- Document any irregular activity or observations to case notes and advise manager immediately
- Reporting to and working in collaboration with members of the multi-disciplinary team on a regular basis, including mentor, probation, crowns, police, etc
- Review and complete weekly updates for court
- Attend court weekly and as required to support the service participant, as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Conduct searches of service participants lifestyle in accordance with participant waiver, for the sole purpose of the program requirements, and report violations
- Make recommendations and decisions regarding the ongoing participation in the program for compliant and non-compliant demonstrated behaviours by service participants
- Complete service participant intensive treatment case plans
Service Participant Support:
- Deliver services following Drug Treatment Court Best Practices and Standards to ensure fidelity to the program
- Complete service participant treatment case plans with members of the treatment team, including probation
- Assisting participants in finding volunteer opportunities
- Conducting regular checks on participants’ cell phones, financial statements, etc.
- Provide referrals for participants to counselling, treatment centers, pro-social activities, etc.
- Working with treatment center(s) and their addiction counselors to ensure participants are following through and engaging in treatment programming
- Working closely with probation to supervise and manage program expectations and release order conditions of participants
- Frequent meetings and/or communication with participants to monitor compliance and engagement in the program and recovery
Health and Safety:
- Deliver services in accordance with program and Pastew Place policy and procedure
- Communicate pertinent information to program manager, case manager, multi-disciplinary team and other staff as necessary
- A lengthy screening process is put in place by police and crowns to eliminate participants that pose a safety risk to staff are accepted in the program.
- Contribute to overall risk management
- Ensure that all health and safety reports are complete as per Pastew Place requirements
- Work in partnership with colleagues to take reasonable care to avoid harm in the workplace
- Responsible to ensure supervised workers have training; work in a healthy and safe manner; are advised of potential job hazards; and follow Pastew Place policies and procedures
Community Engagement:
- Maintain positive working relationships with external agencies and partners
- Maintain positive working relationships with the multi-disciplinary team members (Judges, Crowns, Police, Probation, Duty Counsel, Court Clerks etc.)
- Be a positive ambassador for Pastew Place and the Drug Treatment Court Program
- Participate in community committees and events as directed
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with network agencies, including the correctional center(s).
- Liaise with internal and external stakeholders as required and in collaboration for implementation of service participant case plans
- Liaise with community treatment providers to establish treatment programs and treatment supports and services
Agency Collaboration:
- Maintain positive professional working relationships with colleagues and multi-disciplinary team members
- Participate on agency committees as directed
- Engage in agency activities and unit and staff meetings
- Contribute to overall Pastew Place mission, vision, and values
Additional Responsibilities:
- As directed by Program Manager
- Participate in core agency training and additional training opportunities as directed
- Arrange recovery and residential housing for service participants as needed
- Assist in finding housing for participants
- Work collaboratively with team in review of applications, assessments and decisions regarding acceptance and placement
- Liaise with social supports for funding and supports for service participants
- Review Relapse Prevention Plans, goal setting, phase checklists, and graduation application with service participants in preparation for graduation documents to be submitted to the Manager
- Must be comfortable making recommendations for participants to be returned to custody
- Demonstrate a strong sense of teamwork for debriefing, discussion of ethical dilemmas, and team cohesion
- Comfortable operating on a sanctions and reward-based model.
Minimum Requirements:
- Adhere to Drug Treatment Court Best Practices and standards
- Ability to make tough decisions and convey the same to participants
- Awareness of personal life choices and professional boundaries
- Promote recovery of participants as this is an abstinence-based program
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and comfortable in having difficult conversations with participants
- Demonstrates professionalism within all aspects of employment
- Degree/Diploma in human services, criminal justice, or related field; a combination of work experience and a Certificate shall be considered
- Understanding of addictions, mental health, and the criminal justice system
- Two years’ minimum experience working with multiple stakeholders in justice, addictions, or social assistance
- Two years minimum experience with case management
- Friendly, positive, and professional demeanor
- Experience working with multi barriered individuals and diverse populations
- Attention to accuracy and detail
- Competent in MS Office/M365 including Word, Excel, Outlook and SharePoint
- Current Standard First Aid CPR Level C Certificate or ability to obtain before employment
- Clear Criminal Record Check including vulnerable sector dated within the past 90 days
- Valid Alberta Driver’s License, Driver’s Abstract, and use of reliable vehicle with $2M Third Party Liability insurance to carry
Preferred Requirements:
- Diploma or degree in criminal justice, addictions, social assistance, or related field
- Strong knowledge of addictions, mental health, and the criminal justice system
- Understanding of criminal and addictive thinking
Hours of Work
- Schedule is based on a 37.5-hour work week, with a one hour paid lunch. Flexibility to respond to program needs and issues is required
- Participation in the On-Call rotation
Salary and Benefits
Salary $60,000.00 - $68,000.00 per year. Benefits as per Compensation Grid and Group Benefits Package
Pay: $60,000.00-$68,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
