Counselor

Mental Health Counselor

 Intensive Prevention Services

 Salary Range: $53,500.00 – $63,500.00

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The main principles of the IPS counselor’s role include identification of, and referral to, needed services, and active goal-directed support for the youth and family. The IPS Counselor will identify and connect youth and their families to the needed services and monitor the family and youth’s engagement in the IPS program. The role of the IPS counselor is to develop the service plan in collaboration with the case manager, youth and parent. The counselor will provide direct case work to youth and family. The IPS counselor will oversee referrals to other service providers.

EDUCATION/CREDENTIALS/SKILLS:

•          A Master’s degree in human services, preferably social work (MSW) or counseling, plus two years’ experience in family-based social work. A bachelor’s     degree and five years of direct care experience.
•          An annual physical form verifying that the employee is “free from contagion".
•          FBI, child abuse and PA criminal Clearances within 1 year of hire.
•          A proven and demonstrated ability and experience in working with within a team based setting and group settings.
•          Ability to use a computer to send and receive written correspondence.
•          Ability to work collaboratively with other professionals.
•          Ability to lead and co-facilitate focus group sessions.
•          Understanding of educational, child welfare, and judicial systems and the knowledge, skills, and ability to navigate these systems successfully.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

•          IPS is a program designed to provide a safe and holistic environment for at-risk youth to develop themselves and their confidence, through an engaging, supportive and strength based environment. IPS staff will develop programs and activities that include the 7 core concepts of resilience, which are the program’s core values. 
•          The major responsibility, therefore, is to resolve issues, ensure stability and to develop positive youth development and academic support and assist the family and youth with appropriate counseling and behavioral health services. 
•          The IPS Counselor will conduct some basic behavior health screening for youth and family members in order to provide service linkages for all members of the family as appropriate.
•          The IPS Counselor will facilitate the initial assessment with the family in collaboration with the case manager to build the relationship with the youth and family, identifying all family needs and developing an appropriate plan of action.
•          The IPS Counselor works with the youth and family, both individually and as a group, to understand the youth and family members’ feelings and needs, and build skills in appropriately conveying and also meeting those needs. 
•          The IPS Counselors work with youth and family members to build healthy relationships, identify and meet clinical needs, and develop healthy individual and family activities. 
•          The IPS Counselor will work closely with the case manager through teaming and joint sessions as appropriate to integrate case management and counseling activities and assure close alignment with family and youth service plan goals.
•          The IPS counselor will make referrals primarily to the JJC Behavior Health Clinic in order to have the services provided on site.
•          The IPS Counselor monitors progress in clinical services, and works to connect program activities to treatment goals as appropriate in collaboration with the therapist and other behavioral health treatment members and members of the IPS team.   
•          The IPS Counselor will meet with parents and youth in the parent’s home to conduct and assess the support services and to identify and update the treatment plan when needed.
•          The IPS counselor must conduct the weekly home assessment at the convenience of the family.
•          The IPS Counselor will conduct in collaboration with the case manager group, individual and family counseling sessions.
•          The IPS counselor will assist  prior to and during the discharge planning the enrollment in behavioral health services, after school or other remedial or enrichment activities as needed, especially beyond the youth’s involvement in the IPS program.
•          The IPS Counselor will co-facilitate the site based programs in which each youth will participate three times a week.
•          The Counselor will work collaboratively with the assigned case manager and develop activities and coordinate community service/engagement programs.  At crisis times, there may be a need to “double team”.
•          The maximum caseload is 17 clients. Case longevity is determined by court and or DHS personnel.
•          The IPS Counselor must meet with the Program Coordinator weekly for supervision.
•          The IPS Counselor will be assigned to an “after hours on call” roster, with alternating back up of the program director. In this way, families can access our staff round-the-clock. 
•          The IPS Counselor will ensure that services and counseling are commensurate with identified issues, and may need to be increased beyond minimum standards.
•          Following assessment of family’s identified needs, the IPS Counselor will identify community resources, and work collaboratively with the Case              manager to assist families with linking them to the appropriate community resources.
•          The IPS Counselor will ensure that he/she keeps accurate documentation specifically all unsuccessful efforts to maintain the expected level of intensity      and monitoring. All documentation and communication will be directed to the assigned DHS worker or court personnel via e-mail correspondence,            telephone calls, and with hard copies to be kept in client’s file.  
•          The IPS Counselor will assist with arranging and providing transportation needs for children, youth and parents. 
•          The IPS Counselor must attend monthly team sessions to determine and monitor service appropriateness for each youth and to inform the team of the          client’s adherence to orders of the Court and to the program.   
•          The IPS Counselor must attend all mandatory IPS trainings and activities hosted by the Department of Human Services or designee. 
•          A full case record is maintained in accord with performance standards, with monthly supervisor case review.
•          As this is a new program, this job description will change over time, and new duties may be added and existing duties modified.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The ability and willingness to adjust work hours in accord with client schedule.
• The ability to walk, drive, see, bend, stand, and communicate.
• The use of currently inspected car, including the possession of current automobile insurance and driver's license.                    
• The ability and willingness to work with a wide range of ages, neighborhoods, cultural views, and parenting experiences.

Contributing to the team

• Participates in meetings to ensure priorities are clear, coordination is good and communications are open.
• Cooperates and communicates as a multi-discipline staff team member through formal meetings, informal discussion and other participation as necessary.  
• Models traits of a responsible team member, executing job responsibilities, open communication, good follow through; supports team members to do the same.
• Responds promptly to the concerns and interests of the clients, parents, guardians and funding entities and other JJC staff.

Administrative activities

• Ensures compliance with all JJC’s policies and procedures, including confidentiality and reporting suspected abuse in accordance with CPSL, 23 Pa.C.S. § § 6301—6385, and JJC policies and procedures.