Description

Mission Statement:

Transitions Mental Health Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating stigma and promoting recovery and wellness for people with mental illness through work, housing, community and family support services. 

Organization Description

Transitions – Mental Health Association is a non-profit agency committed to providing comprehensive mental health services and support to individuals and families by inspiring hope, growth, recovery and wellness in our communities. TMHA has decades of experience with teams of compassionate staff. TMHA is a driving force in improving mental health and wellness in our communities and a supportive and inclusive work environment that values diversity and individual contributions. 

Position Title: RESIDENTIAL YOUTH COUNSELOR –PART TIME

Program: YOUTH TREATMENT PROGRAM 

“Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.” - Dalai Lama

Position Summary

The Youth Treatment Program (YTP) is a restorative, trauma-informed, residential treatment program for up to six SLO County Foster Youth. Residential Youth Counselors (RYC) provide 24/7, awake support in a home-like setting located in downtown San Luis Obispo. The program is centered on the principle that youth heal, and behavior changes, in the context of adults who are safe, regulated, predictable, empathic and attuned. YTP meets the residents where they are at, and operates through the lens that all behavior is an attempt to meet a need, while our job is to support them in having the capacity, safety and trust to learn and practice healthier and safer strategies to meet those needs. This trauma-informed approach concentrates on “connection before correction,” and strives to build a sense of alliance, rather than compliance with each youth – where youth are able to trust the care of adults and trust adults’ limits as care. 

RYC’s responsibilities are to be present to engage, support and supervise the residents as well as carry out the program structure and schedule throughout each day. RYCs ensure that the program is a safe and healthy living environment by providing: empathic listening, active engagement in activities, supporting completion of activities of daily living, containing and de-escalating crisis, mediating conflict, setting and maintaining healthy boundaries, assisting residents in learning how to trust adult care, building healthy relationships and assisting residents in utilizing community resources in order to return to a home based setting. RYC’s enjoy opportunities to facilitate growth, increase safety and provide our residents with fun and normalcy through outings and activities such as: games, art, watching current teen TV hits, hikes, swimming, walking along the beach, shopping, bowling, ice cream, movies and more. We are looking for professionals who have a passion for building and contributing to a supportive and safe environment for residents and the team as a whole. 

Hours

24 hour weekly. There is the opportunity to pick up additional shifts on occasion. Includes a 403b retirement (with up to a 5% employer match) paid vacation/holiday time, paid sick time and a variety of helpful employee perks as well. Set weekly schedule: Wednesdays: 2p-10p, Thursdays: 7a-3p and Fridays: 3p-11pm

Salary

Anticipated hiring wage $22.00 per hour. (*Full Salary Schedule is $22.00-$25.00)

Position Summary

Transitions – Mental Health Association has an opening for a Residential Youth Counselor. Under the general direction of the Program Manager, the Residential Youth Counselor: supervises residents at all times, ensures a safe and healthy living environment, performs moderate household maintenance; provides empathic listening and active engagement in activities, as well as contains, de-escalates and mediates conflict; sets healthy and clear boundaries; facilitates structured support groups, and assists residents in learning how to trust adult care and build healthy relationships; assists youth in utilizing community resources in order to return to stable living within the community. YTP is a restorative, trauma-informed treatment program. Treatment is rooted in the most current research on the neurobiology of human behavior and how developmental stress and trauma changes the brain and interrupts the formation of healthy attachments and relationships. The program’s philosophy is predicated on the concept that “changing behavior requires changing the brain”. The program is centered on the principle that youth heal (and behavior changes) in the context of adults who are safe, regulated, predictable, empathic, and attuned. YTP is focused on how to create the conditions for the youth’s brain and body to restore as much calm and self-regulation as possible as the foundation for growth, learning and intrinsically motivated behavior change. YTP staff members are trained to work with these youth to find effective ways for them to meet their needs for physical and emotional safety. “Repairs” or “Restorative tasks” are opportunities for the youth to learn new skills and change their neurobiology within the context of healthy adult relationships. Working through ongoing relational ruptures and repairs create opportunities to learn how to build trust with adults—which is at the heart of how growth and change occurs at YTP. This restorative, trauma-informed approach concentrates on “connection before correction” and strives to build a sense of alliance (rather than compliance) with each youth—where youth are able to trust the care of adults and also trust adults’ limits as care. 

Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Ensure safety, health, and general well-being for residents.

2. Supervise and interact with residents and staff during program activities; this may include outings, daily chores, education of residents and transportation to and from scheduled appointments.

3. Promote, encourage and maintain trauma-informed practices in all services and activities. 

4. Practices and promotes, both individually and in team meetings, the Collaborative Communication Guidelines

5. Offer crisis intervention such as guidance, counseling, and role modeling. Follow program policies regarding crisis intervention. 

4. Prepare program paperwork including, program documents, incident reports, petty cash receipt, daily task log and daily log notes on each resident. 

5. Promote general cooperation and harmony in the group living situation.

6. Organize and transport residents to and from appointments and outings; this may include refueling of vehicle.

8. Monitor resident medications and be responsible for all accompanying paperwork and procedures. Attend medical appointments as needed and be responsible for all accompanying paperwork and procedures

9. Complete required in-service training.

10. Assume other duties as assigned

Job Environment:

1. Moderate physical activity; may include moving up to 50 pounds.

2. Involves moderate risks that require safety precautions and the risk of exposure to potentially intense situations. 

Requirements

Minimum Requirements 

Per California Care Licensing, must meet at minimum one of the requirements as listed below:

1. Have a Bachelor of Arts or Sciences Degree

2. Have a valid Child Development Teaching Permit

3. Completed 12 semester units of Early Childhood Education, Adolescent Development, or Foster and Kinship Care Education and have at least 100 hours of experience working with youth

4. A valid certificate as an Alcohol Counselor, Drug Counselor or Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and have at least 100 hours of experience working with youth

5. A valid vocational training certificate, credential, or documentation demonstrating that the individual is a trade journeyperson who instructs children in vocational skills and have at least 100 hours of experience working with youth as a mentor, athletic coach, teacher, vocational coach or tutor

6. Previously been employed as a full time staff or served as a volunteer at a group home, STRTP, or substance abuse treatment program for at least one year

7. Relevant life experience in the child welfare, mental health or juvenile justice systems as a consumer, mentor or caregiver or other relevant experience

Must have strong interpersonal skills and oral/written communication skills. Conditions of employment include: must be at least 21 years of age; possess a valid CA Driver’s License, minimum of 2 years driving experience, reliable transportation, proof of auto insurance, and DMV driving record that meets TMHA’s current vehicle insurance requirements. May be required to utilize personal vehicle and auto insurance. Ability to possess and maintain good physical and mental health. Attendance is an essential function of this job that requires face-to-face interaction with clients and/or other employees. Ability to work well within a team and maintain a professional, respectful attitude in the workplace. Ability to be willing to work with supervisor oversight and direction. At the time of hire, other conditions of employment are to comply with a T.B. skin test or chest x-ray indicating a negative tuberculosis result, a fit for duty health screen and receipt of a criminal record clearance through fingerprinting. Must be able to successfully complete First Aid and CPR training.