Intensive Aftercare Specialist

One Hope United•Chicago, IL

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under assigned Director OR Senior Supervisor, the IPS Aftercare Specialist is a licensed or license eligible professional, responsible for providing enhanced Intensive placement Stabilization (IPS) services to youth stepping down or transitioning from inpatient, or outpatient psychiatric or residential facilities. The Aftercare Specialist will have extensive knowledge of mental health diagnosis, accurate clinical reporting and best practices for psychological treatment and wellness. Along with the ability to assess and diagnose mental and behavioral health conditions. Ensuring confidentiality in all agency internal file management, database and external communications. In addition to proficiency and awareness of evidence-based modalities, Northwestern CANS, Illinois Medicaid IM CANS and Attachment Regulation and Competency Framework (ARC). In accordance with the programmatic and DCFS contractual guidelines. The Aftercare Specialist will provide a high-level coordination of assigned activities that will assist in achieving program and/or agency goals. Meeting with youth and Caregivers in the office, In home and in the community. Serving as a vital link in the healing process, by ensuring continuous intensive therapeutic services, client advocacy, and community support. While promoting Stabilization in the caregivers or foster homes while transitioning youth from more intensive psychiatric facilities, rehabilitation centers and residential placements. Utilizing a graduated intervention program, structured into progressive, multi-stage levels of intensity which will exceed traditional IPS 6-month intervention period.

Requirements

Master’s Degree
2 to 5 years of experience in the field as a licensed Social Worker, psychologist, counselor, or related field.
LPC, LSW, LCPC, LCSW
A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record are required only if driving is an essential function of the role.

Nice To Haves

Licensed or license eligible professional
Extensive knowledge of mental health diagnosis, accurate clinical reporting and best practices for psychological treatment and wellness.
Ability to assess and diagnose mental and behavioral health conditions.
Proficiency and awareness of evidence-based modalities, Northwestern CANS, Illinois Medicaid IM CANS and Attachment Regulation and Competency Framework (ARC).
Ability to provide enhanced Intensive placement Stabilization (IPS) services to youth stepping down or transitioning from inpatient, or outpatient psychiatric or residential facilities.
Ability to provide a high-level coordination of assigned activities that will assist in achieving program and/or agency goals.
Ability to meet with youth and Caregivers in the office, In home and in the community.
Ability to serve as a vital link in the healing process, by ensuring continuous intensive therapeutic services, client advocacy, and community support.
Ability to promote Stabilization in the caregivers or foster homes while transitioning youth from more intensive psychiatric facilities, rehabilitation centers and residential placements.
Ability to utilize a graduated intervention program, structured into progressive, multi-stage levels of intensity which will exceed traditional IPS 6-month intervention period.
Ability to provide crisis intervention in-home services in local coverage areas as appropriate to program requirements.
This position will require day and overnight travel for training opportunities, advocacy for youth and families in community meetings, or staffing and client sessions.
Ability to mentor and support Interns and new counseling staff.
Ability to input weekly SDS notes documenting client, caregiver, referring agency and collateral interactions and communications.
Ability to complete monthly progress reports which upon supervisory approval are sent to the referring case agency.
Ability to complete twice monthly DCFS database tracking of client/family sessions, outings, communications and strength-based purchases as outlined programmatically and per the funder.
Ability to maintain the highest ethical standards in keeping with professional affiliations and demonstrates the ability to perform strength-oriented practice.
Ability to provide comprehensive and initial diagnostic assessment of all referred clients utilizing interviews and well-recognized criteria.
Ability to regularly discuss progress toward goals with clients and encourages client feedback and client ownership of outcomes.
Ability to ensure there is a medical rule out of symptoms and coordinates the approach with medical and other providers serving the client.
Ability to adapt clinical methodology to the needs of the client using an evaluative tool and client feedback approach to ensure client service is meeting needs, and as needs change, adapts method and degree of therapy.
Ability to collaborate with existing and future mental health-related services, supportive services, treatment, and counseling.
Ability to maintain comprehensive client file with progress reports/session notes, completing assessments and CANS/IM CANS outcomes, closing summaries, preparing reports for court as needed, testifying in court as needed, and participating in multidisciplinary staffing as needed.
Ability to develop collaborative relationships with staff and other programs both within and outside of the agency and assume initiative in developing therapeutic groups.
Ability to represent the agency at court hearings and attend required staff meetings as required.
Ability to monitor client progress and periodically reassess client's level of functioning as necessary, utilizing standard clinical instruments as well as Child and Needs Assessment 2.0 (CANS) and Illinois Medicaid IM CANS.
Ability to take a protective role in overall service by ensuring integration of clients with other providers by including them in the treatment planning.
Ability to report to the Child Abuse Hotline as directed by the Mandated Reporter Act.
Ability to maintain discretion, as entrusted with client’s personal information and knowledge of their unique situation. This confidentiality extends to ensure client data is secure both virtually, while in person and in office.
Ability to report any exposure to communicable diseases.
Ability to conduct frequent regional and all-state in-person and virtual team meetings with staff.
Ability to participate in frequent agency management meetings and work groups.
Ability to submit expense vouchers, bi-weekly timesheets, renewed driver's licenses, and automobile insurance coverage on the due date as determined by the funder, program/organization.
Ability to support the creation and maintenance of programmatic information in Microsoft Teams and on the SharePoint site.
Ability to work to ensure quality-of-service delivery and the achievement of programmatic outcome goals as outlined in the IPS contract.
Ability to attend hearings, administrative case reviews (ACR), clinical staffing, CIPP, CFTM, and Provider meetings as needed.
Ability to ensure collaboration with Supervisors, IPS Coordinator, and Case Aides to ensure that the required documents are in the client’s case file.
Ability to ensure significant incident reporting is completed within the 12-hour reporting period.
Ability to participate and present information in various collateral and community groups to promote agency programs and to network with the community as needed.
Ability to input SDS outcomes for CQI reports as required.
Ability to ensure adherence to contractual obligations with the funding source.
Ability to ensure direct and indirect weekly filing of all IPS documents, notes in client files.
Ability to provide on-call support after hours on a rotation with all IPS offices in Central, Southern, and Northern regions.
Ability to provide onsite support to prevent placement disruption, meeting with clients at minimum twice weekly.
Ability to track and document all client disruptions, movements and placement stability for utilizing programmatic tracking tools
Ability to facilitate placement needs of children with collaboration with referring case agency (residential, hospital facility, DCFS/POS).
Ability to conduct in home and community visits.
Ability to maintain positive relationships with other agencies and community members as applicable.
Ability to complete any necessary file documentation required for DCFS database tracking twice monthly.
Ability to prepare documentation for court proceedings, as needed.
Ability to collaborate with clients and publishers to ensure information packets and other promotional and registration materials are accurate and completed in a timely manner.
Ability to collaborate with the Catering Manager and other appropriate staff to plan for meals and entertainment.
Ability to assist with room reservations and, as appropriate, travel arrangements in alignment with contract.
Ability to provide on-site support during the event as needed to provide services or resolve problems.
Ability to perform other related duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

Provides Intensive crisis intervention response, assessment, and aftercare services utilizing graduated and multi-level interventions, tailored to the intensity of the client.
Conduct an initial visit within 5 days of referral opening per contractual and programmatic expectations.
Provides crisis intervention in-home services in local coverage areas as appropriate to program requirements.
Provides active guidance/feedback during family contacts (i.e., during sessions, crisis interventions, and other crisis stability events).
Completion of intake, Mental Health Assessment, DCFS Extension and Discharge processes, and Treatment Planning as outlined in IPS programmatic and contractual expectations.
Diagnose and treat mental health disorders.
Facilitate sessions with individuals, groups, or families.
Proficiency in the practice of evidence-based modalities and frameworks.
Assist in the integration of all services provided for the client by serving as a central point of communication for service components during the intervention period and after-care services.
Provides crisis response mental health interventions and specific services according to the funding source (such as DCFS).
Completes crisis counseling assessments, decision-making, evaluation risk, mental health interventions, and supporting family unit during services.
Provides training and Psychoeducation to caretakers where applicable.
Mentors and supports Interns and new counseling staff.
Selects and administers Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) to youth aged 7 to 21, along with other evidence-based tests and assessments as needed and skilled in administration.
Inputs weekly SDS notes documenting client, caregiver, referring agency and collateral interactions and communications.
Completes monthly progress reports which upon supervisory approval are sent to the referring case agency.
Completes twice monthly DCFS database tracking of client/family sessions, outings, communications and strength-based purchases as outlined programmatically and per the funder.
Maintains the highest ethical standards in keeping with professional affiliations and demonstrates the ability to perform strength-oriented practice.
Provides comprehensive and initial diagnostic assessment of all referred clients utilizing interviews and well-recognized criteria.
Regularly discusses progress toward goals with clients and encourages client feedback and client ownership of outcomes.
Ensures there is a medical rule out of symptoms and coordinates the approach with medical and other providers serving the client.
Adapts clinical methodology to the needs of the client using an evaluative tool and client feedback approach to ensure client service is meeting needs, and as needs change, adapts method and degree of therapy.
With the receipt of written consent, Collaborates with existing and future mental health-related services, supportive services, treatment, and counseling.
Maintains comprehensive client file with progress reports/session notes, completing assessments and CANS/IM CANS outcomes, closing summaries, preparing reports for court as needed, testifying in court as needed, and participating in multidisciplinary staffing as needed.
Develops collaborative relationships with staff and other programs both within and outside of the agency and assume initiative in developing therapeutic groups.
Represents the agency at court hearings and attends required staff meetings as required.
Monitors client progress and periodically reassesses client's level of functioning as necessary, utilizing standard clinical instruments as well as Child and Needs Assessment 2.0 (CANS) and Illinois Medicaid IM CANS.
Takes a protective role in overall service by ensuring integration of clients with other providers by including them in the treatment planning.
Adhere to an Evidence-Based/Informed program: ARC.
Reports to the Child Abuse Hotline as directed by the Mandated Reporter Act.
Will provide exceptional customer service to parents, foster caregivers, referring case agencies, community partners and other team members.
Will Maintain discretion, as entrusted with client’s personal information and knowledge of their unique situation. This confidentiality extends to ensure client data is secure both virtually, while in person and in office.
Reports any exposure to communicable diseases.
Conducts frequent regional and all-state in-person and virtual team meetings with staff.
Participates in frequent agency management meetings and work groups.
Submits expense vouchers, bi-weekly timesheets, renewed driver's licenses, and automobile insurance coverage on the due date as determined by the funder, program/organization.
Support the creation and maintenance of programmatic information in Microsoft Teams and on the SharePoint site.
Works to ensure quality-of-service delivery and the achievement of programmatic outcome goals as outlined in the IPS contract.
Attends hearings, administrative case reviews (ACR), clinical staffing, CIPP, CFTM, and Provider meetings as needed.
Ensures collaboration with Supervisors, IPS Coordinator, and Case Aides to ensure that the required documents are in the client’s case file.
Ensures significant incident reporting is completed within the 12-hour reporting period.
Participates and presents information in various collateral and community groups to promote agency programs and to network with the community as needed.
Inputs SDS outcomes for CQI reports as required.
Ensures adherence to contractual obligations with the funding source.
Will ensure direct and indirect weekly filing of all IPS documents, notes in client files.
Provide on-call support after hours on a rotation with all IPS offices in Central, Southern, and Northern regions.
Provide onsite support to prevent placement disruption, meeting with clients at minimum twice weekly.
Tracks and documents all client disruptions, movements and placement stability for utilizing programmatic tracking tools
Facilitate placement needs of children with collaboration with referring case agency (residential, hospital facility, DCFS/POS).
Conduct in home and community visits.
Maintain positive relationships with other agencies and community members as applicable.
Complete any necessary file documentation required for DCFS database tracking twice monthly.
Prepare documentation for court proceedings, as needed.
Collaborates with clients and publishers to ensure information packets and other promotional and registration materials are accurate and completed in a timely manner.
Collaborates with the Catering Manager and other appropriate staff to plan for meals and entertainment.
Assists with room reservations and, as appropriate, travel arrangements in alignment with contract.
Provides on-site support during the event as needed to provide services or resolve problems.
Performs other related duties as assigned.