Metropolitan Family Services
VP-CST Citywide Mental Health Practitioner
Metropolitan Family Services, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Overview
Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) has been empowering families to learn, earn, heal, and thrive since 1857. We are looking to fill a VP-CST Mental Health Practitioner role at Metropolitan Peace Academy (MPA).
Salary Average starting salary is $55,000 to $66,000 annually, based on skill and experience level. LCSW or LCPC candidates may be considered for a starting salary up to $78,000.
Essential Job Functions
Conduct comprehensive assessments and intakes to determine client needs, strengths, and eligibility for VP-CST services.
Provide individualized case management, counseling, and advocacy to address behavioral health, safety, and stabilization needs in alignment with the VP-CST model.
Develop and monitor service plans, collaborating with clients and interdisciplinary teams to establish achievable goals.
Recommend changes to the authorizing LPHA and VP-CST services including transition to less intensive services consistent with the individual’s IATP.
Maintain timely and accurate documentation in compliance with Medicaid, managed care, and agency recordkeeping standards.
Maintain fidelity to the VP-CST approach, ensuring no more than an 18:1 client-to-staff ratio, and prioritize intensive, relationship-based engagement.
Deliver community-based and home-based services, including individual, family therapy, group therapy, crisis intervention, skill building, and resource navigation as directed by the IATP.
Facilitate or co-facilitate groups as appropriate to promote psychoeducation, coping strategies, or community building.
Identify and connect clients to community resources, coordinating care across systems such as housing, medical, employment, and legal supports.
Advocate for clients within community networks, helping reduce barriers and ensuring culturally responsive, trauma-informed care.
Participate and lead required trainings, team supervision, and team meetings to uphold program quality and professional development.
Represent the agency and the VP-CST program in the community, building partnerships and increasing awareness of available services.
May require additional certifications or training in youth development, restorative justice, or mentoring practices as specified by the program, grant, or funding source.
Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to maintain consistent community-based behavioral health services under the VP-CST model, often in collaboration with outreach workers and other community partners.
Skilled in working effectively with diverse individuals and groups impacted by trauma, community violence, and systemic inequities.
Strong understanding of trauma-informed care principles, adult development, and the impact of poverty, violence, and discrimination on mental health.
Familiarity with community resources (housing, employment supports, substance use treatment, healthcare) and ability to navigate local systems on behalf of clients.
Awareness of HIPAA, confidentiality requirements, and ethical standards in behavioral health and social services.
Conflict resolution and de-escalation skills, with the ability to remain calm under pressure and respond effectively in sensitive situations.
Collaborative mindset, able to work as part of a multidisciplinary VP-CST team (case managers, outreach workers, clinicians, peer specialists) to support holistic care.
Ability to complete structured assessments and screening tools (such as PHQ-9, GAD-7, or program-specific intake forms) accurately and sensitively.
Presentation and group facilitation skills, with the ability to deliver psychoeducation workshops or community trainings on behavioral health, coping strategies, and wellness topics.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, data entry systems, electronic health records, and professional written and verbal communication.
Availability to work flexible schedules, including evenings and weekends, as program needs require.
Qualifications
Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) preferred.
Bilingual in English/Spanish or another language prevalent in the service community preferred.
Awareness of Medicaid billing and documentation standards preferred.
Master’s degree in social work or counseling from an accredited college or university required.
Must have applied to take the LSW or LPC examination (or hold an equivalent state credential) preferred.
2+ years of experience working in community violence prevention, behavioral health, criminal justice, or related community-based settings preferred.
Must become IM+CANS certified within 3 months of hire and maintain re-certification annually preferred.
Additional Requirements
Satisfactorily pass all relevant screenings and criminal background checks.
Transportation/Travel Requirements
Driving for work required with a personally owned vehicle. Travel between sites required.
Physical Demands
While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and viewing a computer terminal.
Benefits Package Highlights
Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, and Vision Coverage.
Metropolitan Family Services contributions of $2,000 to individual and $4,000 to family HSA accounts, pro-rated to your benefits start date.
FREE General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services provided to all team members.
Ascensus 401K plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility.
Metropolitan Family Services puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package. Find out more by clicking here!
And so much more! Make sure you click here to see the full suite of benefits offered!
More About Us Metropolitan is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 122,970 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs, and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and empowerment.
Qualifications Education Required
Masters
Experience Preferred
Experience working in community violence prevention, behavioral health, criminal justice, or related community-based settings.
Licenses & Certifications Preferred
Licensed Social Work
Licensed Clinical P
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Salary Average starting salary is $55,000 to $66,000 annually, based on skill and experience level. LCSW or LCPC candidates may be considered for a starting salary up to $78,000.
Essential Job Functions
Conduct comprehensive assessments and intakes to determine client needs, strengths, and eligibility for VP-CST services.
Provide individualized case management, counseling, and advocacy to address behavioral health, safety, and stabilization needs in alignment with the VP-CST model.
Develop and monitor service plans, collaborating with clients and interdisciplinary teams to establish achievable goals.
Recommend changes to the authorizing LPHA and VP-CST services including transition to less intensive services consistent with the individual’s IATP.
Maintain timely and accurate documentation in compliance with Medicaid, managed care, and agency recordkeeping standards.
Maintain fidelity to the VP-CST approach, ensuring no more than an 18:1 client-to-staff ratio, and prioritize intensive, relationship-based engagement.
Deliver community-based and home-based services, including individual, family therapy, group therapy, crisis intervention, skill building, and resource navigation as directed by the IATP.
Facilitate or co-facilitate groups as appropriate to promote psychoeducation, coping strategies, or community building.
Identify and connect clients to community resources, coordinating care across systems such as housing, medical, employment, and legal supports.
Advocate for clients within community networks, helping reduce barriers and ensuring culturally responsive, trauma-informed care.
Participate and lead required trainings, team supervision, and team meetings to uphold program quality and professional development.
Represent the agency and the VP-CST program in the community, building partnerships and increasing awareness of available services.
May require additional certifications or training in youth development, restorative justice, or mentoring practices as specified by the program, grant, or funding source.
Other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to maintain consistent community-based behavioral health services under the VP-CST model, often in collaboration with outreach workers and other community partners.
Skilled in working effectively with diverse individuals and groups impacted by trauma, community violence, and systemic inequities.
Strong understanding of trauma-informed care principles, adult development, and the impact of poverty, violence, and discrimination on mental health.
Familiarity with community resources (housing, employment supports, substance use treatment, healthcare) and ability to navigate local systems on behalf of clients.
Awareness of HIPAA, confidentiality requirements, and ethical standards in behavioral health and social services.
Conflict resolution and de-escalation skills, with the ability to remain calm under pressure and respond effectively in sensitive situations.
Collaborative mindset, able to work as part of a multidisciplinary VP-CST team (case managers, outreach workers, clinicians, peer specialists) to support holistic care.
Ability to complete structured assessments and screening tools (such as PHQ-9, GAD-7, or program-specific intake forms) accurately and sensitively.
Presentation and group facilitation skills, with the ability to deliver psychoeducation workshops or community trainings on behavioral health, coping strategies, and wellness topics.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools, data entry systems, electronic health records, and professional written and verbal communication.
Availability to work flexible schedules, including evenings and weekends, as program needs require.
Qualifications
Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) preferred.
Bilingual in English/Spanish or another language prevalent in the service community preferred.
Awareness of Medicaid billing and documentation standards preferred.
Master’s degree in social work or counseling from an accredited college or university required.
Must have applied to take the LSW or LPC examination (or hold an equivalent state credential) preferred.
2+ years of experience working in community violence prevention, behavioral health, criminal justice, or related community-based settings preferred.
Must become IM+CANS certified within 3 months of hire and maintain re-certification annually preferred.
Additional Requirements
Satisfactorily pass all relevant screenings and criminal background checks.
Transportation/Travel Requirements
Driving for work required with a personally owned vehicle. Travel between sites required.
Physical Demands
While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch. The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and viewing a computer terminal.
Benefits Package Highlights
Medical Coverage, Dental Coverage, and Vision Coverage.
Metropolitan Family Services contributions of $2,000 to individual and $4,000 to family HSA accounts, pro-rated to your benefits start date.
FREE General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services provided to all team members.
Ascensus 401K plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility.
Metropolitan Family Services puts our people first with a top-of-the-line benefits package. Find out more by clicking here!
And so much more! Make sure you click here to see the full suite of benefits offered!
More About Us Metropolitan is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 122,970 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs, and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and empowerment.
Qualifications Education Required
Masters
Experience Preferred
Experience working in community violence prevention, behavioral health, criminal justice, or related community-based settings.
Licenses & Certifications Preferred
Licensed Social Work
Licensed Clinical P
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
#J-18808-Ljbffr