Social Worker/Counselor for ReNEW Therapeutic Program

ReNEW Schools•New Orleans, LA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

ReNEW is seeking an experienced, fully licensed School Social Worker/Counselor for the ReNEW Therapeutic Program (RTP), an intensive, school-based therapeutic program serving students in grades K–8 with severe behavioral and mental health needs. The role provides therapeutic support and guidance to children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges. The Social Worker/Counselor works with a multidisciplinary, school-based Student Support Team to implement IEPs, foster emotional growth, and promote positive behavioral change in a structured setting. The position reports to the RTP Director and the network Director of Mental Health and Pupil Appraisal. ReNEW describes its work as transforming underperforming schools into academically rigorous schools and emphasizes professional development and individual coaching at the school and network levels.

Requirements

Hold a current, active Louisiana license as an LMSW or LCSW under the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners, or as a PLPC or LPC under the Louisiana State Board of Licensed Professional Counselors.
Have at least 2 years of experience providing school-based social work or counseling services in an urban school community.
Demonstrate strong clinical skills in evidence-based mental health and behavioral interventions for children and adolescents ages 4–16.
Have experience creating and executing high-quality systems.
Know local community resources for special populations and students and families from low-income communities.
Be able to advocate for students and families while partnering with school staff.
Demonstrate a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and exceptional organizational skills.
Have excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

Implement behavior modification strategies and skill-building activities to improve students’ coping mechanisms, social skills, and emotional regulation.
Work with students and families to develop and reinforce positive behaviors and adaptive responses to stressors.
Conduct suicidal and homicidal threat assessments; support de-escalation and crisis assessments for students experiencing mental health crises; and support mandated reporting of abuse or neglect as needed.
Provide individual and group therapy using evidence-based practices and therapeutic techniques indicated by students’ IEPs.
Write IEP Instructional Plans, attend IEP meetings, and prepare IEP Progress Reports for students on the caseload.
Conduct Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and support development of Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) and Crisis Plans.
Complete other assigned special education and related-services requirements.
Participate in Student Evaluation Plan (SEP) meetings.
Conduct psychosocial family interviews for re-evaluations and prepare written summaries.
Administer parent rating scales, including BASC-3, ABAS-3, and Connors, when requested.
Collaborate with teachers, support staff, leadership teams, and culture teams in support of students.
Connect families with local community resources for mental health, basic needs, housing, food insecurity, and other needs; conduct home visits as needed.
Coordinate school-based support for homeless students and families, students in foster care, and outside behavioral health providers.
Serve as a point of contact for the Office of Student Support and Attendance, Juvenile Court, and Municipal Court for students receiving case management services, juvenile-justice-involved students, and families referred for truancy.
Collaborate with team members to develop comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each student’s challenges and goals.
Document student services and activities in Accelify/Frontline and parent or family contacts in SchoolRunner.
Complete the Monthly Mental Health Report for the Director of Mental Health and Pupil Appraisal and update campus mental health, homeless, behavioral health provider, and FBA/BIP trackers.
Maintain clinical files for students on the caseload and student files related to other services provided.
Complete additional documentation and reporting as designated by the network Director of Mental Health and Pupil Appraisal and/or Director of RTP.