Child Development Specialist- Sub Acute Stabilization (Fri & Sat 7am-3pm)

About us: The Village was one of the first agencies in the country to provide homes for neglected children. Today, we continue to achieve our mission “to build a community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children” by providing a full range of behavioral health, early childhood and youth development, substance use treatment and support services for children, adults and families in the Greater Hartford, Connecticut region.

Named a Connecticut Top Workplace for six consecutive years with national distinction for workplace culture and diversity, equity and inclusion practices, you can be sure you’re joining an organization that’s just as committed to your success as we are to those we serve.

Starting hourly rate $20.50 

Shift: Saturday and Sunday 7am-3pm 

Sub-Acute Crisis Stabilization Child Development Specialist

The Subacute Crisis Stabilization program (SACS) serves youth/young adults ages 5-18 years of age who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis, requiring more than 24 hours for full stabilization and no more than a 14 day stay. Trauma informed treatment through the SACS program is designed to support youth who are experiencing challenging life stressors (disruptive behaviors within the home/community, suicidal or homicidal thinking or are at high risk for using substances). Holistic family focused treatment will be provided to address such mental health stressors and support youth in transitioning back to their homes, schools and communities while reducing the need for hospitalizations/re-hospitalizations or emergency department use.

JOB SUMMARY

The Child Development Specialist I participate as a key member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team in the treatment and/or education of children with significant emotional, behavioral, and learning disabilities. This staff ensures that the children’s physical and emotional needs are met daily and supports the children’s academic learning by focusing on the enhancement of their social, recreational, and behavioral functioning.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain the safety of children in all situations using supervision and the implementation of various therapeutic techniques, including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention.
• Maintain a safe, clean and dignified milieu environment.
• Serve as a healthy role model.
• Demonstrate techniques that enhance problem solving abilities and enable growth and maturity.
• Understand and relay relevant information.
• Record and document critical information in a timely matter.
• Communicate with parents/guardians in a professional and timely matter.
• Communicate with coworkers in a professional and timely matter.
• Communicate with external professionals (e.g. Teachers, DCF Workers) in a professional and timely manner.
• Manage and assist in the modification of child behavior.
• Maintain appropriate certifications (see Licensure Requirements below).
• Provide safe transportation to and from program activities.
• Conduct oneself in a professional, courteous manner in all job-related interactions.
• Interact with children in a positive, nurturing, therapeutic manner.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate therapeutic groups.
• Participate in program meetings, agency meetings, supervision and training events as deemed appropriate by supervisor.
• Conduct any other related work to ensure that the physical and emotional needs of the children are met and that the program continues to operate effectively.
• May be required to work in other programs as needed.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:

• Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree strongly preferred; Associates Degree or High School diploma considered.
• Licensure/Certification Requirements: Valid driver’s license and the capacity to attain or maintain a Public Service License, Medication Administration Certification, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Certification, American Red Cross First Aid and CPR Certification, Defensive Driving Certification, Safe Food Handling Certification.
•  Experience Level: Three years in human service field or experience working with special needs children.
•  Specific Skills, Knowledge and Ability Requirements: Knowledge of basic child development, issues related to the effects of abuse and neglect.
•  Must be able to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
•  Must be culturally competent to serve a diverse population.
•  Must have the ability to manage stress and to respond to emergency situations safely and calmly.
•  Proficient with word processing and spreadsheet applications. Possess solid general computer skills, including ability to work in a Windows XP environment. Familiarity with specific applications used by the Village a plus.
•  Physically able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations, i.e. must be able to supervise groups of children and perform physical intervention if required; must be able to move freely from place to place without restriction.

• All Child Development Specialists in the Residential and School programs are required to obtain and maintain the following certifications:

Certification                                                                           Timeframe

Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)                               Within 2 months of hire

First Aid / CPR                                                               Within 2 months of hire

Public Service License (PSL)/V Endorsement                     Within 2 months of hire

DCF Medication Certification                                            Within 6 months of hire