Job Description :

The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counselor will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of clinical treatments for CREC students who are at risk for and / or have shown signs of concerns related to mental health and / or substance abuse.

The clinician will identify and / or provide appropriate interventions for students in need of individual counseling, group therapy, family therapy, and crisis intervention.

The role requires maintaining contact with and providing consultation to identified school personnel and other relevant collaborative parties.

The clinician will be expected to provide evidence-based interventions in multiple schools, as well as provide workshops related to Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention education for staff, students, and parents.

In this position, the clinician will support and assist in CREC’s goal to train district personnel as Mental Health First Aid Trainers to provide mental health first aid to school-based staff on a broader scale.

This position will support the efforts of CREC and the Division of CREC Magnet Schools to fulfill its mission as an equity-focused social justice organization by contributing to the mental wellness of CREC students in a culturally responsive manner.

Project Prevent Participating Magnet Schools :

• Ana Grace Academy of the Arts (6-8)
• CREC Family Resource Center

Please note that this is a 1.0 FTE, 10-month (school year) position, contingent upon grant funding. Anticipated Start : 4 / 1 / 24.

Grant anticipated end date : 6 / 30 / 26.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

• Coordinate and / or implement the completion and / or administration of required consent forms and screeners.
• Evaluate each identified student as it relates to mental and physical health, addiction, alcoholism, and / or other concerning behaviors and assess level of readiness or treatment.
• Develop case conceptualization and recommended treatment intervention goals and plans.
• Review conceptualization and treatment plan, including results of any needed clinical assessment(s), and short and long term treatment goals and objectives with the client and family (whenever possible).
• Implement treatment interventions consistent with fidelity to evidence-based model(s), if applicable. This may include assisting client in developing skills and behaviors necessary to reduce mental health concerns and / or increase capacity to engage in recovery.
• Provides individual, family, and group counseling as needed.
• Provides education to students and families on substance use prevention, harm reduction, and treatment strategies and options.
• Documents ongoing client progress and outcomes.
• Demonstrates competency in age-related and / or specialty issues and developmental needs for each population served.
• Works with clients to develop appropriate referral and discharge plans utilizing natural supports.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with family members, school personnel, and other service providers with the intention of supporting the student via a multidisciplinary approach to treatment and recovery
• Works in collaboration with school personnel to identify potential referrals
• Responsible for maintaining student records in accordance with HIPAA, FERPA, and other relevant laws.
• Participates in supervision and meetings to review client and program progress.
• Compiles data needed for the grant program evaluation.
• Develop and / or provide programming for staff, student, family, and / or community to assist with identification of the signs and symptoms of mental health, behavioral, addiction-related concerns

Travel Requirements and Working Conditions :

Essential job functions require traveling to multiple schools. Time off mirrors the school calendar, and the schedule mirrors the school schedule.

Requires at least a Master’s degree in social work, marriage and family therapy, counseling or related clinical discipline, with specialization in substance abuse counseling;

plus at least two years’ experience in a school and / or clinical setting working with children and adolescents, preferably urban (strongly preferred not required).

Requires a high level of knowledge and specialized skills to address complex and multifaceted clinical needs of a population of racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse populations of adolescent students and their families.

Knowledge and understanding of evidence-based treatment models such as ACRA and ACC.

Must be familiar with working with a school-based team (Principal / Administrator, Guidance / School Counselor, School Social Worker, and Teacher).

Must have reliable transportation to travel between school sites.

Licensed in CT (CAC, LCSW, LPC, LMFT) and currently credentialed with insurance providers in CT (strongly preferred not required)

Bilingual English / Spanish (strongly preferred not required).

These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed rather than give an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.

Last updated : 2024-04-30