Community Mental Health Liaison

Job Description:

Job Title: Community Behavioral Health Liaison
Location: Columbia, Missouri
Department: Crisis Services
Employment Type: Full-Time

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Job Summary:

Make a meaningful impact by connecting individuals involved in the criminal justice system with timely behavioral health care and community resources. The Community Behavioral Health Liaison II coordinates complex cases, supports crisis intervention and diversion initiatives, and builds strong partnerships among law enforcement, courts, jails, treatment providers, and community organizations. Join a compassionate, collaborative team committed to reducing barriers, promoting recovery, and improving outcomes for individuals with behavioral health needs.

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This position offers…

- Employee Assistance Program – 24/7 counseling services, legal assistance, & financial consultation for you and your household at no cost
- Mileage Reimbursement – Company paid for work functions requiring travel
- Employee Discounts – Hotels, Theme Parks & Attractions, College Tuition
- Workplace Culture - An environment cultivating employee wellbeing, valuing each individual's humanity, and actively promoting a healthy, joyful workforce
- Additional Perks & Benefits - Scroll down to bottom of this post to learn more

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Key Responsibilities:

- Connect individuals referred by authorized sources with appropriate behavioral health services, social supports, and community resources.
- Partner with law enforcement through ride-alongs, wellness checks, consultation, and training to strengthen crisis intervention and diversion efforts.
- Collaborate with courts, treatment teams, and justice partners to coordinate services, explore competency restoration options, and improve system responses.
- Coordinate with jails to complete behavioral health screenings, develop re-entry and discharge plans, and promote continuity of care following release.
- Support crisis intervention initiatives, including co-responder programs, 988 coordination, and other community-based diversion models.
- Educate law enforcement officers, court personnel, and community stakeholders about behavioral health, crisis response, de-escalation, and available resources.
- Participate in state and regional initiatives, including Sequential Intercept Model Mapping and Crisis Intervention Team program development.
- Maintain timely, accurate documentation, data tracking, and reporting in accordance with confidentiality, HIPAA, program, and funding requirements.
- Participate in supervision, professional development, and required training to maintain compliance and advance job-related skills.
- Perform other duties as assigned.

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Education, Experience, and/or Credential Qualifications:

- Possess a master’s degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice, or a related field.
- Possess at least two years of experience in behavioral health, criminal justice, or a related area.
- Complete the 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team training within six months of hire or within the timeframe required by the applicable funding source.

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Additional Qualifications:

- Demonstrate knowledge of behavioral health conditions, treatment approaches, recovery principles, criminal justice processes, and community resources.
- Apply crisis intervention, de-escalation, behavioral health screening, assessment, and sound judgment in complex or high-stress situations.
- Build collaborative relationships and communicate effectively with individuals, families, law enforcement, court personnel, treatment providers, and community partners.
- Facilitate effective presentations and training sessions for diverse professional and community audiences.
- Work independently with minimal supervision while organizing, prioritizing, and managing multiple complex cases.
- Navigate behavioral health and criminal justice systems to identify solutions and reduce barriers for individuals served.
- Demonstrate adaptability, professionalism, cultural competence, active listening, and effective written and verbal communication.
- Successfully complete required background screenings, including criminal record, driving record, abuse and neglect, and fingerprint checks.
- Maintain a current driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and current auto insurance.

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Physical Requirements

Sedentary work requiring up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, up to one-third of the time, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently, from one-third to two-thirds of the time, to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The position involves sitting most of the time, with brief or occasional periods of walking or standing, as well as repetitive movements of the hands, fingers, and arms for typing or writing during the work shift.



Position Perks & Benefits:

Paid time off: full-time employees receive an attractive time off package to balance your work and personal life

Employee benefits package: full-time employees receive health, dental, vision, retirement, life, & more

Top-notch training: initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive

Career mobility: advancement opportunities/promoting from within

Welcoming, warm, supportive: a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness.



Brightli is on a Mission:

A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance user care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.

As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we prioritize fostering a culture of belonging and connection within our workforce. We encourage applications from individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, as we believe that a rich tapestry of perspectives strengthens our mission. If you are passionate about empowering local communities and creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization dedicated to cultivating an authentic workplace.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Burrell Behavioral Health is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.