Mental Health Therapist I

National Youth Advocate Program•Homewood, IL

13d

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Clinical Supervisor or designee, the Mental Health Therapist I works with children and families to support their safety and successful lives in the community. The role works closely with youth, families, foster parents, and community partners, providing advocacy and support. It delivers community-based mental health and related services, coordinates care, and supports progress toward each youth’s case-plan goals. The position is based in Homewood, Illinois, with a stated schedule of 9-5am and flexibility as needed for client appointments on evenings and weekends. Travel is required to provide services in the community. The stated annual salary is $56,000–$58,000. National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP) has served communities and clients since 1978 and offers personalized family and individual services in prevention/intervention, positive youth development, out-of-home placement, and reunification/permanency. NYAP describes its work as supporting children, youth, families, and communities, and is an equal opportunity employer, including disability and veterans.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work or a comparable Human Services field from an accredited institution.
Willingness to work flexible, non-traditional hours to serve foster caregivers, families of origin, and persons served.
Ability to be flexible and responsive to youth, foster caregivers, system partners, and internal customers.
Ability to remain objective and professional in all areas of the role.
Tolerance of and respect for the ideas and actions of others.
Ability to work effectively and respectfully with people from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds.
Proficiency using desktop and laptop computers, smartphones, tablets, printers, fax machines, and photocopiers, as well as word-processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
Valid driver’s license, reliable personal transportation, and a good driving record.
Minimum automobile insurance coverage of $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury liability.

Nice To Haves

Two years of direct-service work experience with youth and families is strongly preferred.
A valid advanced professional license is preferred: LPC, LCPC, LMFT, or LMSW; license-eligible candidates are also noted.

Responsibilities

Support and represent the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
Provide individual, group, and family mental health services, case management, transportation, and other professional services, meeting or exceeding established outcome thresholds.
Travel daily to provide community-based services to and on behalf of youth and families, in compliance with organizational, contractual, and regulatory requirements.
Complete required documentation and training in a timely manner.
Consistently achieve established productivity thresholds.
Coordinate and monitor community services for youth and families, including mental health, medical, educational, psychological, vocational, and social services.
Regularly review and modify youth-based plans to support progress toward written goals.
Establish and maintain strong relationships with assigned foster parents and families of origin.
Assist with family reunification and stabilization efforts or another permanent living arrangement consistent with the youth’s case plan.
Provide safety assessments, crisis response, and behavioral stabilization services as needed to support youth safety and stability.
Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities monthly or quarterly.
Participate actively in weekly supervision.