Therapeutic Director (LCSW or LPC Required)

EQA Schools•New Orleans, LA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

EQA is a New Orleans nonprofit with the mission of providing struggling students with the skills, confidence and experiences to succeed in the education and career paths of their choice. The organization currently runs three alternative high schools: The NET:Central City, The NET:Gentilly, and The NET: East; and a middle school: The Bridge. EQA Schools exists for students who have dropped out of, been expelled from, or who have otherwise struggled in a traditional school setting. EQA programs are built on the belief that alternative schools should not punish or “fix” young people; they should be vibrant, flexible, and restorative environments that support students in being their best selves. The Bridge Middle School Program launched in August 2019 to serve 7th and 8th grade students during their expulsion terms. The program is rooted in restorative and therapeutic practices: students participate in intensive behavioral, social, and academic support and work to build skills that will help them transition successfully back to their home school. The Bridge seeks a highly skilled therapist to provide individual, family and group counseling to its students and to lead The Bridge’s therapeutic team and trauma-informed school setting.

Requirements

5+ years experience working with young people with significant trauma
2+ years experience managing staff and leading programming in therapeutic settings
Valid Louisiana license of LCSW or LPC required: please include a copy of your license when applying
Passion for improving educational opportunities for urban students and for being a part of a strong, mission-driven team
Ability to support and manage students and staff during period of crisis and high stress
Commitment to EQA’s mission, vision and values
Excellent organization, communication, interpersonal skills
Flexible and learning mindset dedicated to effectively & innovatively problem solving

Responsibilities

Assessing student needs and developing Individual student plans
Facilitating transitions into and out of the program
Providing individual, group and family therapy
Managing crisis prevention and interventions
Liaising with outside providers to insure wrap around supports
Coaching, developing, and managing counselors and therapists
Modeling collaborative, servant leadership
Constantly developing your craft
Complete psycho-social assessments informed by knowledge of the impact of race, gender and social injustice on the family and youth.
Effectively and appropriately assess needs, characteristics, and interactions of students, families, staff, and community
Develop an Individual Student Plan with the student, family, and staff which will guide their journey through the school
Use DSM V and current research to accurately assess student needs
Conduct compliant and productive Functional Behavior Assessments on each student
Maintain electronic and paper records of assessments and share with students, families, and staff as appropriate to insure empowerment and appropriate interventions and in keeping with confidentiality mandates
Develop and conduct effective transition meetings with families, students, home school staff and bridge staff
Work with each student to create their “transition manual”
Provide appropriate information and supports to home school to insure students transition back successfully
Provide high quality individual counseling using cognitive behavioral therapy or other best practices
Design and provide high quality group counseling around student needs including, but not limited to, grief, trauma, substance abuse, conflict resolution, anger management using C-BITs and other best practices
Engage families, do home visits, mediate with family members and otherwise include families in students’ growth and development
Provide all services in ways that build upon students’ individual strengths and assets and maximize students’ opportunities for agency their healing/growth
Maintain all case notes and records for the Bridge, sending schools, and Medicaid reimbursements
In collaboration with students, families, and staff, design crisis plans for high needs students
Train students and staff to handle crisis in safe, restorative, and appropriate ways
Support students and families through crisis and liaison with all parties to insure student receives the supports they need during and after the crisis
Research and vet resources and build partnerships with high quality providers
Collaborate with team to insure all students are connected with appropriate referrals, supports and resources
Track referral outcomes and advocate for students and families to insure they receive appropriate care
Assists students in accessing formal and informal community resources
Manage and develop classroom counselors and other therapeutic staff members
Work with the Principal to develop all staff in therapeutic practices
Design and provide both group and individualized professional development which is responsive and tailored to school-wide and teacher-specific needs
Provide continual feedback, support, and hold team members accountable for helping students grow and meet their goals
Practice EQA Operating Values and the EQA Leadership Framework
Participate in leadership develop opportunities and hone your skillfulness
Productively participate in school decisions to insure fidelity to mission and vision
Provide support and back up for Principal and others as needed
Provide high quality consultation for long term strategic planning
Collect, communicate, and analyze student records and data to insure appropriate student progress
Conform to the National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics and Standards for School Social Work practice
Maintain appropriate communication and confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, FERPA, state law and school policy.
Set goals for student development and professional growth
Actively reflect on your own work and monitor progress toward goals
Productively seek, give, and use feedback
Positively contribute to the school’s collegial community
Participate in all scheduled professional development activities and seek out additional opportunities
Involve yourself in the continual development and improvement of the school’s curriculum, culture, and program.