Behavioral Health Specialist (Social Worker / Counselor I) - Platte Valley Youth Services

State of Colorado•Greeley, CO

10d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is open only to Colorado state residents. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies at the Platte Valley Youth Services Center. 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 provides services to 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 work unit exists to provide supervised onsite mental health services to committed and detained youth in a secure facility. It provides individual, family, or group services in support of and in alignment with the Division of Youth Services (DYS) strategic plan and DYS treatment model within a trauma informed environment. This work unit identifies youth needs and develops interventions to mitigate risk and enhance protective factors to ensure successful reintegration into the community. It works collaboratively with milieu staff, education, family, client management, and community stakeholders to provide evidence-based services to youth with complex mental health needs. This position is designed to provide onsite services and is not approved to provide remote services to youth unless approved by the Director of Behavioral Health and Medical Services (BHMS) or designee. The purpose of this position is to deliver supervised clinical services to youths facing complex mental health challenges, trauma, substance abuse, and related issues within the facility. Additionally, the trainee will be trained to address criminogenic risk factors and family interventions in the adolescent demographic. The trainee will gain an understanding of criminal behavior in adolescents, aiming to reduce criminogenic risks and enhance protective factors, while also tackling the interplay between mental health and criminal activity. The role is structured to foster learning and application of strength-based perspectives, systems theory, and trauma-informed care. The trainee will also be expected to learn about and cater to the needs of committed or detained youths who exhibit behavioral and psychiatric problems stemming from traumatic experiences, such as abuse or significant family distress. This role conducts a mental health screening in line with DYS policy upon a youth's admission when applicable. It determines whether a youth qualifies for chronic care services or has special needs affecting their experience in a DYS facility. Additionally, this role refers youth to psychiatric services when suitable. It collaborates with medical personnel to assess if medical conditions affect the youth's emotional and psychological well-being. Utilizing the Youth Assessment Screening Instrument (YASI) and other validated tools, this position addresses criminogenic risk factors influencing underlying behavior through a strengths-based method and consideration of a youth's protective factors.

Requirements

Four (4) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position.
A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to four (4) years.
Must be 21 years of age.
Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License.
Applicant must obtain one of the following mental health professional licenses within 30 months of hire: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, or Licensed Psychologist.
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.

Nice To Haves

Enrolled in a Master's program that is license eligible.
Current or previous State experience.

Responsibilities

Completes mental health screening according to DYS policy when a youth is admitted to a DYS Youth Center.
Thoroughly assesses a youth’s mental health needs by reviewing the youth’s main and medical files and making initial and collateral contacts as appropriate.
Maintains a caseload and will provide behavioral health care to each youth.
Conducts individual, group, and family therapeutic interventions using evidence-based treatment theories and curricula.
Provides counseling in accordance with training and expertise gained through specific training and knowledge of DORA standards and the Civil and Forensic Mental Health Services (CFMHS) expectations.
Identifies pertinent individual needs and protective factors, considering age, ethnicity, culture, religion, and sexual identity, which influence behavior change and the mitigation of complex concurrent needs and risks to the community, as well as symptoms in the individual and family during detention.
Utilizes and presents a case conceptualization model of youth on caseload upon entering the facility and discusses this with supervisor and present to Department chairs for collaboration and decision making around appropriate services.
Participates and supports orientation, educational workshops, mental health, co-occurring disorders, and family department meetings, and training to assure and maintain competency in the provision of evidence-based mental health services.
Serves as clinical support to unit managers and other clinical providers regarding the delivery of clinical services, milieu services and interventions.
Provides consultation to milieu staff to assist in the implementation of youth treatment goals and objectives.
Participates in family department meetings and training to assure and maintain competence.
Supports and promotes Division and agency initiatives.
Is knowledgeable of and in compliance with all DYS policies and audit standards.
Is responsible for maintaining all professional certifications.
Actively participates in own professional growth and continued training, research, and CEU’s.
Participates in clinical supervision with the clinical director.
Participates in team meetings and shift briefings.
Documents in approved electronic database for all individual and group sessions in approved DYS format.
Ensures all intern notes are entered into the approved electronic database when responsible for supervising the intern.
Documents calls to guardians and client managers.
All documentation shall be reviewed and signed off on by the Clinical Clinical or their designee.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

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