Behavioral Health Clinician

SGA YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES NFP•Chicago, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Behavioral Health Clinician will conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, behavioral health screenings, and clinical evaluations for participants in the Midwest Healthy Start program. They will develop individualized treatment plans and provide short-term individual, family, and group counseling using evidence-based interventions, including trauma-informed services for pregnant and postpartum individuals, fathers/partners, and families. This role also involves serving as a behavioral health consultant for SGA's Start Early Early Head Start, Home-Based, and Family Child Care programs, providing reflective consultation and coaching to staff. The clinician will collaborate with various professionals to ensure coordinated, family-centered care and connect participants to necessary resources. Additionally, the position involves developing and facilitating trainings for staff and families, maintaining accurate clinical documentation, ensuring compliance with regulations, and participating in program evaluation and quality improvement initiatives. Professional responsibilities include participating in supervision, continuing education, and representing SGA at community events.

Requirements

Master's Degree in Social Work from an accredited program.
Current Illinois Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license required.
Minimum five years of clinical experience providing behavioral health services.
Experience providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive care.
Knowledge of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, crisis intervention, and community behavioral health systems.
Microsoft Office and ETO proficiency.
Must have a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance required for work-related travel.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with pregnant women, infants, families, or maternal and child health populations preferred.
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
Head Start/Early Head Start
Reflective Practice
Child Development
Parent-Child Relationship-Based Interventions
Home Visiting Programs
Maternal Mental Health
Early Intervention systems
Experience providing reflective supervision or reflective consultation.
Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and infant/early childhood mental health best practices.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, behavioral health screenings, and clinical evaluations for participants enrolled in the Midwest Healthy Start program.
Utilize validated screening tools, including the PHQ-9, EPDS, GAD-7, and other evidence-based assessment instruments, to identify behavioral health needs.
Develop individualized treatment plans and provide short-term individual, family, and group counseling using evidence-based interventions.
Deliver trauma-informed behavioral health services to pregnant and postpartum individuals, fathers/partners, and families experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, adjustment disorders, and other behavioral health concerns.
Provide crisis intervention, suicide risk assessments, safety planning, stabilization services, and referrals for higher levels of care when appropriate.
Serve as the behavioral health consultant for SGA's Start Early Early Head Start, Home-Based, and Family Child Care programs.
Provide reflective consultation and coaching to Home Visitors, Family Child Care Specialists, Family Support Specialists, and supervisory staff regarding infant and early childhood mental health, child development, attachment, trauma, and challenging behaviors.
Conduct observations during home visits, family child care settings, and program activities to assess social-emotional concerns and recommend appropriate interventions.
Consult with families regarding child development, parent-child relationships, behavioral concerns, emotional regulation, and positive parenting practices.
Support implementation of Head Start Performance Standards related to Mental Health Services and contribute to continuous quality improvement efforts.
Collaborate with Community Health Workers, Nurse Practitioners, medical providers, educators, Early Intervention providers, and community partners to ensure coordinated, family-centered care.
Connect participants and families to behavioral health, substance use treatment, domestic violence services, housing resources, developmental evaluations, Early Intervention, and other community-based supports.
Participate in multidisciplinary case conferences, care planning meetings, and family staffing sessions to coordinate services and improve participant outcomes.
Provide clinical consultation and guidance to program staff regarding participant engagement, behavioral health concerns, trauma-informed practices, and appropriate intervention strategies.
Develop and facilitate trainings for staff and families on topics including infant and early childhood mental health, maternal mental health, trauma-informed care, positive behavior supports, protective factors, resilience, reflective parenting, stress management, and self-care.
Assist in developing behavioral health protocols, clinical workflows, and best practices that strengthen service delivery across programs.
Maintain timely, accurate, and complete clinical documentation, including assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, referrals, and discharge summaries.
Ensure compliance with agency policies, HIPAA regulations, ethical standards, licensing requirements, and grant deliverables.
Assist with program evaluation, data collection, outcome measurement, quality improvement initiatives, and preparation of grant reports.
Participate in clinical supervision, reflective practice, continuing education, and professional development activities.
Represent SGA at community meetings, collaborative partnerships, and professional events.
Perform other duties as assigned.