Behavioral Health Specialist, Social Work / Counselor III - Platte Valley Youth Services Center

State of Colorado • Greeley, CO

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Division of Youth Services (DYS) provides a continuum of residential and non-residential services that encompass juvenile detention, commitment, and parole. DYS is the agency statutorily mandated to provide for the care and supervision of youth committed by the District Court to the custody of the Colorado Department of Human Services. The Division operates fifteen secure facilities that serve youth between the ages of 10 and 21, who are pre-adjudicated, sentenced, or committed. The Division also contracts with numerous private residential and non-residential service providers throughout the State. For pre-adjudicated youth, the Division is also responsible for the management and oversight of Colorado Youth Detention Continuum, a State-funded, locally administered program that serves youth at risk of further progressing into the juvenile justice system. In addition to residential programming, the Division administers juvenile parole services throughout the State. This position functions as a mental health counselor, providing mental health and case management services to committed and detained youth in the Division of Youth Services. Services include clinical assessment, monitoring medication effectiveness, individual, group, family and milieu therapies, suicide risk assessment and monitoring, report writing, and mental health service coordination with a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). This position exists to provide mental health/crisis management services for DYS detained/committed youth who often have behavioral and/or psychiatric problems resulting from trauma-related issues. The position uses approved DYS Evidence Based Curricula.

Requirements

• Current, valid Colorado or State participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact licensure as a: Licensed Social Worker (LSW) OR Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) OR Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) OR Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)
• One (1) year of experience with current, valid licensure from a state participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact based on the work assigned to the position.
• Be a minimum of 21 years of age.
• No felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
• Full background check and reference check required.
• State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Check.
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License.
• Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the DYS Pre-service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO) and mandatory annual training in all subject areas.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose that information on the application, explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you, and provide your employee number from your prior State employment.

Nice To Haves

• Relatable experience as a current or previous State of Colorado employee.

Responsibilities

• Maintains a caseload and conducts individual, group, and family therapy sessions using evidence-based treatment theories.
• Interprets treatment issues, problems, expectations, and changes in behavior for residents and families.
• Documents and assesses the effectiveness of specific interventions toward program progression and youth stabilization.
• Provides therapeutic services using a strength-based approach and holistic manner.
• Collaborates with the medical team and psychiatrist regarding psychotropic medication assessment or continuation.
• Collaborates with educational/vocational systems to ensure appropriate academic services are provided.
• Seeks out additional resources as necessary to ensure the best approach to treating the youth.
• Provides therapy in a manner that is consistent with the youth’s ability, taking into account any necessary modifications.
• Supports agency services of cognitive behavioral-based interventions, social learning theory, and motivational interviewing.
• Actively engages family/caregivers in the process of stabilizing and transitioning youth.
• Assesses progress, and barriers to progress, and documents all case management and therapeutic services in the Fusion Electronic Health Record system.
• Follows Sanctuary/ROCK Program principles.
• Facilitates Community Review Teams as needed for Individual Growth and Change Plans and other interventions.
• Reviews assessment data and recommendations with youth, gathers historical information, develops therapeutic rapport, and ensures youth engagement.
• Engages parents/family members, significant others, guardians and referring agents to obtain relevant collateral and supportive data.
• Recognizes signs and symptoms of serious mental illness (per DSM-5 standards), exacerbation of symptoms, decompensation or improvement of mental health status.
• Completes a brief mental health status exam.
• Makes recommendations and develops alternate interventions for youth not responding positively to programming.
• Possesses knowledge of suicide risk indicators, with ability to offer on-going suicide risk assessments.
• Provides input in conjunction with other transition specialists to transition planning and services.
• Coordinates with YSSIII, Client Managers and milieu staff in the implementation of milieu interventions.
• Collaborates with client manager and MDT initial MDT staffing when needed.
• Refers to psychiatrists as needed.
• Determines appropriate, strengths-based treatment goals and objectives for youth.
• Determines appropriate individuals to provide treatment and other services to youth per treatment plan.
• Maintains thorough knowledge of federal confidentiality regulations (42 C.F.R. Part 2 and HIPAA) and all Colorado Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division Rules for treatment practice.
• Stays current on literature and emerging research in the best practices of treating juvenile mental health, substance abuse issues and co-occurring disorders.
• Trains others in the facility in best practice treatment delivery approaches.
• Participates in orientation, educational workshops, mental health, co-occurring disorders, and substance abuse discipline meetings, and trainings.
• Guides staff by modeling interventions, recommending practices and resident assignments.
• Participates in initial case reviews of all new youth, assists in group placement, and assists in case consultation.
• Provides trainings and consultation on a local/agency level.
• Maintains all professional certifications and licensure.
• Actively participates in own professional growth and continued trainings, research and CEU’s.
• Participates in clinical supervision with the clinical director.
• Participates in supervision to remain in good standing for license renewals.
• Participates in treatment team meetings and briefings.
• Provides input on decisions around milieu programming.
• Provides input on implementation of treatment goals and objectives within the milieu.
• Provides input in the development of additional treatment program options.
• Documents in approved EHR a treatment note for all individual and group sessions in DAP format.
• Individualizes group documentation to reflect how each particular youth participated in each group session.
• Identifies appropriate information to be recorded and the appropriate place to record it.
• Identifies appropriate parties to receive information on youth treatment and most appropriate mode of communication.

Benefits

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
• Employee Wellness program
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level