Youth and Family Specialist II

Ascentria Care Alliance employees and volunteers take pride in the impact they have on the people they serve. It’s more than just a job, it’s an opportunity our employees have to care for and share in the lives of people who greatly need and appreciate their presence. Ascentria Care Alliance focuses on every child, elder, disabled person, refugee, endangered teen or teenage mom in order to build stronger communities one person at a time. This is an excellent opportunity to enhance the operations of a $75m non-profit social services organization with programs throughout New England.

Summary:

 Ascentria’s Child and Family Services provide program family stabilization, foster care and intensive case management supports to vulnerable youth, families and individuals.     Our team of Youth and Family Specialists/Clinicians provide culturally sensitive mental health assessments, ongoing individual and group counseling, screening at risk trauma related behaviors, and crisis interventions to a range of youth and families involved in the child welfare system as well as those who have arrived into the country unaccompanied.

 Essential Responsibilities:

     Demonstrate a human centered, strength-based, and trauma informed philosophy by treating all clients, families and collaterals in a non-judgmental and respectful manner while building on their strengths.

     Create a trusting and safe relationship with the client and encourages personal growth of the client

        Provide ongoing direct therapeutic services including individual sessions, group sessions, and family support as needed.

     Provide clinical case management working in multiple systems and settings providing services to foster children, foster families, biological families and adults.

     Flexibility to provide services in office setting, in foster homes, virtually, and in community.

     Assists in the education and supervision of youth in group sessions and activities as needed.

     Coordinates with other service providers and assists clinical team in building network and resources.

     Consistently demonstrate discretion and independent judgment with regard to assessing and making decisions around the best interest for children and families

     Undertake the responsibility of “on-call” duty as assigned and is responsive to crises independently either by phone and\or in person, demonstrating a calm and professional approach while assuring safety for all involved.

        Ability to follow HIPAA guidelines as well as mental health federal & state regulations.

         Document all contacts and incidents and ensure that client files are up to date

     Develop and complete assessments, service plans\tx plans, progress notes and any other necessary documentation

        Complete all documentation in a timely manner

        Attends and participates in regular staff and clinical meetings

     Attends outside workshops and agency trainings as part of professional development activities.

     Provides applicable clinical trainings to staff, foster families, biological families and others depending on needs and as applicable per state, including evidence based models.

        Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or related field
  • NH: 2 yrs clinically supervised experience working with children and families is required

  Minimum of LSWA certification or eligibility to obtain certification within six (6) months of date of hire is required.

  Valid Driver’s License, proof of automobile insurance and positive driving record to transport minors in own vehicle if needed.

     Computer skills, including word, email competence, and excel and ability to utilize government and state data tracking software systems.

        Knowledge of treatment modalities and counseling methods.

        Knowledge of and adherence to federal, state, program and agency regulations.

     Ability to work in a multicultural/diverse work environment while exercising tact, discretion and judgement.

     Ability to work effectively in an environment, serving clients who are struggling with severe emotional and mental health related disorders.

     Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries while working with others and in handling confidential information.

        Ability to work independently and seek out supervision as needed or required.

     Ability to conduct self in a manner that is respectful to others and cognizant of cultural differences.