East Hartford, Mental Health / Justice-Involved Youth Counselor
Description:
Town of East Hartford / Department of Youth Services
Mental Health / Justice-Involved Youth Counselor
Closing Date: June 20, 2023
Salary: $60,000.00 with benefits / Full time
QUALIFICATIONS
Master's degree required from an accredited college/university in Behavioral and Mental Health, Social Work, or similar field with license eligibility. Clinical licensure level (LCSW, LMFT, LPC, etc.) preferred. Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred. Minimum of one-year experience in areas that include case management, child and family welfare, or juvenile justice. Must possess a valid driver's license and a vehicle.
RESPONSIBILITIES
This grant-funded position reports directly to the Youth Outreach Coordinator under the guidance of the Director of East Hartford Youth Services, and is responsible for clinical case management services for the Juvenile Review Board. The candidate will also help facilitate the Victim Impact Panel and will work in close association with the Youth Services Counseling Coordinator.
East Hartford Youth Services manages the Town's Juvenile Review Board, a diversion from the Juvenile Court and the Juvenile Justice system. Services focus on accountability and rehabilitation through restorative justice practices in order to reduce recidivism rates. The Behavioral Mental Health / Justice-Involved Youth Counselor will possess excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to advocate and act as a liaison on behalf of youth and families. This position includes building and maintaining extensive relationships with the school district, police department, and other collaborating agencies. This position will terminate once the grant period has ended.
The Behavioral Mental Health / Justice-Involved Youth Counselor will offer additional support to the Outreach Coordinator by working to improve school attendance and academic achievement. Services focus on early interventions, case management and case transitions to families from the East Hartford community. The Behavioral Mental Health / Justice-Involved Youth Counselor will provide and assist in case management support and services, comprehensive assessments, family goal planning, school visits, and removal of attendance barriers and linkages to local community resources. The Behavioral Mental Health / Justice-Involved Youth Counselor will document progress in case notes, databases, and case files. The program goals are to resolve truancy issues and facilitate families' ability to develop positive relationships that promote well-being and permanency of children in the home and school environment.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
- Participates in the JRB process as directed by the Youth Outreach Coordinator (JRB Manager)
- Assists the Youth Outreach Coordinator in screening, assessment, and interview duties.
- Assists in developing individual case plan based on the JRB's recommendations.
- Performs clinical assessments and clinical documentation.
- Monitors the case plan and reassesses as needed.
- Empowers families to seek appropriate and or recommended services.
- Initiates new and innovative prevention-based programs focused on youth and family's behavioral needs.
- Completes training in Restorative Practices and stays up to -date on best practices.
- Acts as liaison to the school system and assists in the development and implementation of school/community-based partnerships to reduce chronic absenteeism and truancy.
- Assists in developing and maintenance of the data collection system and performance measures for the purpose of reporting to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Connecticut Youth Services Association (CYSA)
- Assists in the development of a system to track cases up to 6-month post completion to measure success.
- Offers support for children and families in a manner that fosters independence, growth and development and will facilitate the child and families in achieving their stated goals
- Must be willing to work a flexible schedule including evenings to accommodate families' availability
- Use effective time management, multi-tasking, prioritizing and problem solving skills
- Accurately assess the strengths, supports, and needs of the children, families and communities served
- Maintain consistent communication through school visits with families
- Provide ongoing support to students as needed to achieve academic success
- Ensure that referrals are completed promptly, and to follow up to verify that a linkage and services between the family and the referred resource(s) is secured, and continuous monitoring to ensure that the family is utilizing services
- Accurately document all direct and indirect client activities in case files and multiple databases
- Attend regular supervision, department meetings, and trainings
JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND LICENSING
Applicants must undergo criminal, child abuse and health background checks, as required by the program funder.
LICENSE / CERTIFICATION:
Clinical licensure level (LCSW, LMFT, LPC, etc.) preferred. Valid Driver's License (required)
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY CONTACT:
Town of East Hartford, Department of Human Resources
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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