WORK SCHEDULE: This position is full time regular and exempt. Work hours will vary and must be flexible, to be able to cover the floor as needed for extended periods of time (2-4 hours) and rarely entire shifts.

AT YOUTHCARE: YouthCare envisions a community where no young person experiences homelessness, all young people have the opportunity to thrive, and the systems that oppress them are dismantled. YouthCare serves young people of many racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, and religious beliefs, and we seek a workforce that reflects that diversity.

ABOUT YOUTHCARE: YouthCare works to end youth homelessness and to ensure that young people are valued for who they are and empowered to achieve their potential. Founded in 1974, YouthCare was one of the first programs to serve runaway and homeless youth on the West Coast. The goal was to help young people find safety today and build a future for tomorrow. Over four decades, we’ve defined best practices and developed programs that are a national standard for excellence. Using a youth-centered approach, we ensure that young people experiencing homelessness ages 12-24 have the hope, skills, and confidence to gain long-term stability.

COVID vaccinations are mandated at YouthCare. Employees will be required to submit proof of vaccination or have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation at time of On-Boarding. Please note: Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.

ABOUT YOUTHCARE’S ADOLESCENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT:  YouthCare Department of Adolescent Housing Services is a combination of short and long-term adolescent housing programs, for young people 12 through 17 years old. The housing programs consists of 2 emergency shelters: Adolescent Shelter and Hope Center. Recently our transitional living program; Pathways was embedded into Hope Center as a hybrid model. The Adolescent housing programs can house up to 28 young people with 21 short-term Emergency Shelter beds and 7 long-term Transitional Living Program beds. Serving young people 12 through 17 years old in our short-term emergency shelter bed and youth 16 and 17 years old in the long-term transitional living program beds. Due to the acute nature of the emergency shelters staff support young people who are homeless or unstably housed, sexually exploited and victims of sexual assault and labor trafficking, young people experiencing all types of traumas including the impacts of poverty and system failures, mental health and substance use disorders, and all types of abuse and neglect. Staff in these programs need to be versatile, creative, understanding, consistent and accepting of all identities. As part of the team, we in collaboration with agency staff, family and community members, and other social services agencies in the greater King County and surrounding areas to provide individualized coordinated support for the young people. Providing structure, predictability and dependability is the foundation from which the programs operate. Adolescent housing services provides young people with a safe alternate housing options during times of housing instability. Staff work with families, schools, social workers, juvenile detention staff, service providers and other supportive individuals as identified by the young person.

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the supervision of the Director of Adolescent Services, the Behavioral Health Therapist is responsible for providing and coordinating mental health services to young people who are enrolled at YouthCare’s Adolescent Housing Programs. This position is embedded within the Adolescent Housing programs and will require strong interpersonal skills, the ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment and work as part of the program staff team. Duties include conducting initial introductory intake meetings with each young person, complete an initial mental health and risk assessments, provide ongoing one on one sessions, and maintain open communication with the rest of the team members to ensure seamless support for the young people. This position works in collaboration with all other team members to ensure the needs of the youth and program are being met and works isn’t being duplicated. This position will develop relatable and engaging group curriculum for young people and facilitate at least 2 groups each week. This position works closely with the program case managers and case aides to provide uninterrupted services for young people. The Behavioral Health Therapist must complete required daily documentation and data entry and keep up to date with ongoing paperwork expectations. This position works at two different sites and requires a high degree of flexibility in responding to emergent needs of young people in crisis and excellent verbal and written communication skills

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide 20 - 40 hours weekly of direct client contact, including face-to-face counseling and appropriate outside functions, such as escorting to appointments and home visits.
• Carry a caseload of up to 10-20 active clients.
• Meet all mandated reporting requirements within the required timeframe.
• Provide young people in care with weekly one-on-one sessions. Create and implement group curricula.
• Assess each client’s need for services and develop individualized, strength-based, young people-driven service plans. Identify when family reunification is an option and actively engage youth and families in addressing issues that put housing at risk.
• Develop safety and behavioral plans, as well as post-care resource lists that focus on mental health resources and coping skills following reunification. Communicate safety considerations to the team in a timely manner.
• Work collaboratively within the staff team for implementation of safety plans, no harm or behavior contracts etc. Verbally communicate concerns and expectations with staff and provide written documentation for quick reference and the client file.
• Conduct family sessions and provide psychoeducation to supportive adults. Provide problem-solving skills and positive communication techniques to promote healthy interactions within families.
• Provide family mediation for families struggling with a variety of social issues, including mental illness, drug/alcohol use, mental and physical health, histories of trauma and violence, poverty, etc.
• Assist youth by providing services that are intended to foster positive/effective family relationships, housing and housing stability, and other support services as needed. Refer young people for Family Engagement services when appropriate.
• Assess youth and families for safety concerns; incorporating the youth’s self-determination goals with an understanding of local laws and reporting requirements.
• Co-facilitate weekly meetings with Case Managers to support clients’ ongoing mental health needs. Provide client specific updates for each youth during program staff meetings and attend case consult.
• Provide referrals to long-term mental health supports and/or psychiatric providers in the event that it is necessary for young people to access a higher level of service.
• Complete and submit all documentation in a timely manner, including client intake and exit paperwork, progress notes, assessments, service plans, and incident reports. Review case files of all young people quarterly to ensure proper documentation is being completed.
• Must be flexible, and able to cover the floor and/or transport clients as needed for extended periods of time, in rare circumstances you may be needed for an entire shift.

This job description is not intended to cover every aspect of your job at YouthCare. We are a team that works together to meet the needs of our clients and every member of the team is expected to pitch in and help even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this description.

QUALIFICATIONS –

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Master's Degree required: MSW, LMFT, LMHC or equivalent highly preferable
• Experience working with vulnerable young people and/or their families
• Ability to relate in an empathetic, supportive, non-judgmental manner to young people and their families
• Knowledge and experience of crisis intervention, child abuse/neglect, juvenile justice, domestic violence, housing and homelessness, substance abuse, mental health issues, public assistance rights, sexual abuse and assault, family dynamics.
• Strong engagement and relationship-building skills.
• Consistent access to a personal vehicle, car insurance that meets YouthCare’s minimum requirements, and a willingness to transport young people.
• Ability to follow YouthCare’s Taking Call policy when taking calls off site. Policy requirements include:
  • No use of alcohol or any substance that would cause the staff member to be under the influence. Staff members taking calls are expected to abide by YouthCare’s Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace policy as if on-duty.
  • Maintain cell phone coverage for entire time-period staff is taking call. Respond to calls and messages promptly.
  • Be able to answer calls at any time and physically be present if necessary.
• Experience and credentials must comply with program contractual requirements, including but not limited to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) background clearance process and must be at least 21 years of age. DCYF Clearance must be maintained for entirety of employment when working with under-18 clients.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• 3 or more years of experience successfully working with vulnerable young people or young adults in a crisis, during outreach efforts or in residential setting.
• At least 1 year of experience providing clinical services
• Mental Health licensure highly preferred
• Knowledge of systems and resources relevant to the population
• Experience networking and advocating with other agencies to access housing, medical, financial, legal, educational and other resources on behalf of young people.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Must be able to provide I-9 supporting documentation for employment.
• Ability to provide a negative TB Test (results must be within one-year of hire date).
• Employees who drive YouthCare vehicles as a requirement for their position, must be at least 21 years of age, possess a valid Washington State Driver’s License, meet minimum safe driver criteria established by the agency and our insurance company which includes completion of Defensive Driving and 15-passenger Van trainings. Drivers under the age of 25 must have been licensed for at least 3-years and those operating vehicles with a capacity of 15 or more passengers must be at least 25 years old.
• Ability to obtain a current Food Handler’s Card
• Successful completion of pre-service trainings as required by contracting agencies. Trainings such as CPR & First Aid (Adult/Child), Bloodborne Pathogens, and Behavior Management. 
• Computer software skills including Windows, Microsoft outlook, Microsoft Word and Excel
• Initiative, creativity, reliability, flexibility, thoroughness.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with good quality spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• High integrity when dealing with a broad array of cultures and restricted and/or confidential information.
• Ability to coordinate overall program functioning.
• Ability to maintain stable performance under pressure or conflict and handle stress in a manner that maintains teamwork and respect for others and to the agency
•  Coachability and willingness to engage in candid two-way feedback as a means of professional growth
• Ability to accurately maintain and produce files, records, logs and reports.
•  Ability to establish new partnerships and foster positive relationships with existing partners.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries with clients while building trust and respect.
• Ability to deal therapeutically with behavioral and emotional problems presented by young people and understanding of emotionally, physically and sexually abused young people.
• Ability to verbally and physically respond to an aggressive person in ways that de-escalate, establish and maintain staff and young peoples’ safety.
• Ability to develop and lead therapeutic groups
• Ability and willingness to stay awake and alert during overnight shifts.
• May be required to assume responsibilities or duties within the agency not specifically delineated in this job description for short periods of time or on an infrequent basis.
• Commitment to YouthCare’s initiative to build cultural proficiency across the agency. Acceptance of a variety of lifestyles, behaviors, and cultural and spiritual practices.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to perform range of physical motions, exerting up to 50 pounds. Lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds; standing, walking, sitting for long periods of time, kneeling, squatting, and stooping; running for brief periods of time; and go up and down stairs.

BENEFITS: YouthCare provides a competitive benefits package to full time employees including medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, short-term disability, life insurance, 401(k), vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave after successful completion of the 90-day Introductory Period.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT: YouthCare is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs and YouthCare is committed to recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, regardless of actual or perceived sex; race; color; religious creed; national origin; ancestry; age; marital status; pregnancy; nursing parent status; physical, mental or sensory disability; medical condition; genetic information; sexual orientation; gender (including gender identity or expression); military or veteran status; or any other basis protected by federal, state and/or local laws. People of Color and Members of the LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply.