Children Services Worker

State of Connecticut • East Windsor, CT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF) – Albert J. Solnit Children’s Center- Hospital – North Campus, is currently accepting applications for multiple Children Services Worker opportunities. We are seeking compassionate, dedicated, and resilient individuals to join the team at the Albert J. Solnit Children's Center as a Children Services Worker. We are committed to treating every child, adolescent, and team member with dignity and respect. Our trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and gender-sensitive therapeutic environment fosters healing, growth, and positive outcomes for youth with complex behavioral health needs. As a valued member of an interdisciplinary treatment team, you will play a vital role in implementing individualized treatment plans, supporting residents' daily living and emotional well-being, teaching essential life skills, and maintaining a safe, structured therapeutic milieu. This rewarding position offers the opportunity to make a lasting difference by helping youth build the skills, confidence, and stability they need to achieve successful futures while working alongside professionals who are dedicated to excellence in care.

Requirements

• Two (2) years of paraprofessional experience in an applied treatment program for emotionally disturbed, delinquent, behaviorally disordered, educationally deficient or intellectually disabled children or youth.
• Knowledge of human behavior and emotions.
• Knowledge of behaviors characteristic of clients with emotional and/or behavioral disorders.
• Knowledge of proper procedures in threatening or emergency situations.
• Considerable interpersonal skills.
• Ability to foster self-worth and self-identity in clients.
• Ability to counsel and motivate clients in coping with problems and setting achievable goals.
• Ability to use good judgment and assess situations.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in congregate care treatment programs
• Experience working in a psychiatric/behavioral health, medical or hospital setting
• Experience working as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team
• Experience with documenting significant events, critical incidents, and/or interventions
• Experience with escorting residents to destinations on and off grounds
• Experience advocating and teaching self-support skills to youth, reinforcing positive behaviors, and/or applying therapeutic interventions.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to be bilingual or fluent in American Sign Language.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Responsibilities

• Counsels and advises residents individually on such matters as purpose of institutionalization, problems, progress in unit and placement plans.
• Participates in maintaining a therapeutic milieu by meeting psychological and physical needs of residents.
• Oversees daily living activities to ensure proper care of residents.
• Teaches residents in unit self-support skills such as basic money management, daily living habits, hygiene, etc.
• Dispenses rewards to residents as a result of behavior.
• Oversees recreational activities for residents.
• Writes reports of significant events in unit such as runaways and accidents.
• Checks temperatures of residents and dispenses selected medications.
• Records daily activities in log book.
• Escorts residents to destinations on and off grounds, to and from meals, class, infirmary, court, placements, etc.
• Disciplines children who are acting out and follows up with appropriate action.
• Attends staff meetings and training sessions to improve treatment and therapy skills.
• Performs related duties as required.

Benefits

• Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
• A healthy work-life balance to all employees!
• The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree