Part-Time Congregate Residential Counselor

Our Open•Roslindale, MA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

When you join The Home for Little Wanderers, you join a team of professionals dedicated to creating better, brighter futures for kids. For over 200 years, The Home for Little Wanderers has helped build stable lives and hopeful tomorrows for vulnerable children and their families. Our 25+ community-based and residential programs serve thousands of at-risk youths from birth to age 26. Many of these children have experienced abuse, neglect, trauma, or a disrupted family life. As the oldest child welfare agency in America, we provide them with safe surroundings, permanent loving relationships, and a secure path toward a better, brighter future. The Home’s Therapeutic After School Program (TASP), a clinically-focused partial-day program that serves youth aged 12 to 16 based in Roslindale, MA, is seeking a Part-Time Residential Counselor. The program utilizes a strength-based, family-centered model to deliver specialized and supportive services. The Department of Mental Health, the Department of Children and Families, and other state and community agencies refer many youth to TASP as an alternative to out-of-home placement and who would benefit from therapy and psycho-educational services. The interdisciplinary program works to ensure youth are having a positive and fun after-school experience while integrating therapeutic, recreational, educational, and family services working towards achieving each child’s goals based on their individualized treatment plans. Under the direction of the supervisor, they will be primarily responsible for providing a safe and secure environment for clients. The Residential Counselor is expected to be knowledgeable of the program’s mission, treatment philosophy, and policies and procedures and to implement this understanding in their direct care and supervision of clients. In this position, the beneficiary will counsel, observe, and provide behavioral training, outreach support, advocacy and treatment to children and their families to facilitate reunification and/or long-term out of home placement. Additional case management duties include ensuring that the individuals served are supported to lead emotionally and physically healthy lifestyles in preparation for long-term placement. This may include, but is not limited to, exercise and nutrition training, community integration, psycho- educational therapeutic counseling, human rights advocacy, medical advocacy, medication administration, social and life-skills training, as well as educational and life planning.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
One year childcare experience in a residential setting with similar population of children
Computer literate, including Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer, with the ability to learn new software applications

Nice To Haves

May be required to operate a vehicle
May be required to have a valid driver’s license and a “satisfactory” driving record
If required to transport clients, must maintain the minimum amounts of liability insurance as required by The Home and/or other regulatory requirements and vehicle registration must be current

Responsibilities

Knowledge and application of program routines/ structure.
Maintain a general understanding of the population of clients with whom we work
Foster healthy, appropriate relationships with our clients through daily interactions
Develop an understanding of level system (cards, behavior contracts, etc.)
Supervise and coordinate activities of daily living for students, including hygiene, clothing, chores, and other activities.
Assist children with the transition from each scheduled activity.
Provide First Aid appropriately as needed
May plan and participate in activities with clients/students on an individual and small group (less than 6) level in accordance with treatment plans and goals.
Teach age appropriate life skills and social skills through modeling, counseling, and other techniques.
Participate in groups and activities designed to enhance growth and development.
Participate in off-campus recreational/educational activities
Maintain a safe and supportive environment.
Manage living, dining, educational, recreational areas to provide a clean, organized environment for students.
Insure adequate supervision of students through coordination of care with other staff.
Provide group and individual behavior support and intervention as trained, including the use of TCI appropriate physical restraint as necessary.
Coordinate medical and emergency situations with the supervisor.
Communicate through written and verbal means with other program staff on positive skills and accomplishments as well as difficult or challenging client issues.
Complete all assigned paperwork including time sheet, level card, goal/ level tracking, incident reporting, and 51A’s in a thorough and timely manner.
Attend trainings.
Participate in supervision meetings with supervisor.