Social Worker/Counselor for ReNEW Therapeutic Program

ReNEW Schools•New Orleans, LA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

ReNEW is seeking an experienced, fully licensed School Social Worker/Counselor for the ReNEW Therapeutic Program (RTP), an intensive 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/or mental health challenges. The School 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 school setting. The position reports to the RTP Director and the network Director of Mental Health and Pupil Appraisal. Responsibilities include behavioral support and crisis intervention; individual and group therapy; special education and pupil appraisal services; coordination with families, school staff, community providers, and public agencies; and maintaining clinical, student-service, and reporting documentation. ReNEW describes a commitment to staff development through professional development and individual coaching at the school and network levels.

Requirements

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.
At least 2 years of experience providing school-based social work or counseling services in an urban school community.
Strong clinical skills in evidence-based mental health and behavioral interventions for children and adolescents ages 4–16.
Experience creating and executing high-quality systems.
Knowledge of local community resources for special populations and students and families from low-income communities.
Ability to advocate for students and families while partnering with school staff.
Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and exceptional organizational skills.
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; assist with de-escalation and crisis assessments for students experiencing mental health crises.
Support mandated reporting of abuse or neglect as needed.
Facilitate individual and group therapy sessions using evidence-based practices and techniques indicated by students’ IEPs.
Write IEP instructional plans and progress reports, attend IEP meetings, and complete other assigned special education and related-services requirements.
Conduct Functional Behavior Assessments and support development of Behavior Intervention Plans and crisis plans.
Participate in Student Evaluation Plan meetings; conduct psychosocial family interviews for re-evaluations and prepare written summaries; administer parent rating scales when requested.
Collaborate with teachers, support staff, leadership teams, and culture teams to support students.
Connect families with community resources for mental health, basic needs, housing, food insecurity, and other needs; conduct home visits as needed.
Coordinate school-based services for students and families experiencing homelessness, 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 regarding case management, juvenile justice involvement, and truancy referrals.
Collaborate with team members to develop comprehensive treatment plans tailored to each student’s challenges and goals.
Record student services and activities in Accelify/Frontline and parent or family contacts in SchoolRunner.
Complete the monthly mental health report and update campus mental health, homelessness, 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 assigned by the network Director of Mental Health and Pupil Appraisal and/or the RTP Director.