Colorado
Behavioral Health Specialist, Social Work / Counselor III - Spring Creek Youth S
Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States, 80509
This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
We invite you to explore the
Division of Youth Services (DYS)
website and learn about the services provided to youth, families, and local communities in the State of Colorado at https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs/dys
About the Division of Youth Services The Division of Youth Services (DYS) provides a continuum of residential and non‑residential services that encompass juvenile detention, commitment, and parole. DYS is statutorily mandated to provide for the care and supervision of youth committed by the District Court to the custody of the Colorado Department of Human Services. The Division operates fifteen secure facilities that serve youth between the ages of 10 and 21, who are pre‑adjudicated, sentenced, or committed. DYS also contracts with numerous private residential and non‑residential service providers throughout the State.
Summary of Work Unit The Social Work series and other identified Behavioral Health Specialists are responsible for providing evidence‑based and research‑supported therapeutic intervention services to youth committed and detained with the Division. They maintain and support the DYS treatment model and Sanctuary principles with transition staff, client management, mental health services, medical personnel, special education, security staff, and administration as needed. Within the facility, the position remains current on literature and research, especially regarding emerging practices for complex mental health populations.
Summary of the Position This position functions as a mental‑health counselor. The primary function is to provide mental‑health and case‑management services to committed and detained youth in the Division of Youth Services. Services include clinical assessment, medication monitoring with the facility psychiatrist, individual, group, family and milieu therapies, suicide risk assessment, report writing, and coordination with a Multi‑Disciplinary Team (MDT).
Job Duties
Maintain a caseload and conduct individual, group, and family therapy sessions using evidence‑based treatment theories for adolescents.
Apply knowledge of adolescent development and appropriate interventions, considering cultural, religious, sexual, and ethnic factors.
Document and assess the effectiveness of specific interventions toward program progression and youth stabilization.
Deliver therapeutic services addressing substance abuse, mental health issues, trauma histories, cognitive limitations, and services for sexually abusive or violent youth.
Collaborate with medical teams and psychiatrists regarding psychotropic medication assessment or continuation.
Collaborate with educational/vocational systems to ensure appropriate academic services.
Seek additional resources as necessary to ensure the best approach based on developmental and neurocognitive abilities.
Engage family/caregivers in stabilizing and transitioning youth to placement.
Assess progress and barriers; document all case‑management and therapeutic services in the Fusion Electronic Health Record system.
Follow Sanctuary/ROCK Program and facilitate Community Review Teams as needed for individual growth and change plans.
Assessment and Treatment Planning
Address mental‑health and other needs identified, considering the estimated length of stay.
Review assessment data; engage youth, parents/family, and significant others in gathering collateral information.
Identify signs and symptoms of serious mental illness and monitor mental‑health status for each youth.
Provide brief mental‑health status exams and develop strengths‑based treatment goals and objectives.
Recommend alternate interventions for youth not responding positively; conduct suicide risk assessments as required.
Coordinate transition planning and services to aid successful reintegration into the community.
Training and Consultation
Maintain knowledge of federal confidentiality regulations and state regulations pertaining to treatment practice.
Lead training sessions on evidence‑based treatment delivery.
Participate in orientation, education workshops, and supervision to maintain competency.
Provide consultation on local/agency level and manage professional certifications and licensure.
Documentation and Communication
Document treatment notes for individual and group sessions in the approved EHR using DAP format.
Ensure documentation reflects each youth's participation in group sessions.
Identify appropriate information to record and parties to receive updates.
Minimum Qualifications
Current, valid Colorado or State licensure within the Social Work Licensure Compact, including: Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC).
One (1) year of experience with current, valid licensure from a state participating in the Compact.
Preferred Qualifications
Relatable experience as a current or previous State of Colorado employee.
Conditions of Employment
Minimum age of 21 years; no felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
Full background and reference checks required.
State of Colorado residency at time of application and throughout employment.
Valid Colorado Driver’s License (or U.S. Driver’s License) for residents within 30 miles of the state border.
Successful completion of DYS Pre‑service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO), and mandatory annual training.
EEO Statement The State of Colorado is an equal‑opportunity employer. We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL” workforce and providing culturally responsive programs and services. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and abilities to apply. In all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans).
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We invite you to explore the
Division of Youth Services (DYS)
website and learn about the services provided to youth, families, and local communities in the State of Colorado at https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs/dys
About the Division of Youth Services The Division of Youth Services (DYS) provides a continuum of residential and non‑residential services that encompass juvenile detention, commitment, and parole. DYS is statutorily mandated to provide for the care and supervision of youth committed by the District Court to the custody of the Colorado Department of Human Services. The Division operates fifteen secure facilities that serve youth between the ages of 10 and 21, who are pre‑adjudicated, sentenced, or committed. DYS also contracts with numerous private residential and non‑residential service providers throughout the State.
Summary of Work Unit The Social Work series and other identified Behavioral Health Specialists are responsible for providing evidence‑based and research‑supported therapeutic intervention services to youth committed and detained with the Division. They maintain and support the DYS treatment model and Sanctuary principles with transition staff, client management, mental health services, medical personnel, special education, security staff, and administration as needed. Within the facility, the position remains current on literature and research, especially regarding emerging practices for complex mental health populations.
Summary of the Position This position functions as a mental‑health counselor. The primary function is to provide mental‑health and case‑management services to committed and detained youth in the Division of Youth Services. Services include clinical assessment, medication monitoring with the facility psychiatrist, individual, group, family and milieu therapies, suicide risk assessment, report writing, and coordination with a Multi‑Disciplinary Team (MDT).
Job Duties
Maintain a caseload and conduct individual, group, and family therapy sessions using evidence‑based treatment theories for adolescents.
Apply knowledge of adolescent development and appropriate interventions, considering cultural, religious, sexual, and ethnic factors.
Document and assess the effectiveness of specific interventions toward program progression and youth stabilization.
Deliver therapeutic services addressing substance abuse, mental health issues, trauma histories, cognitive limitations, and services for sexually abusive or violent youth.
Collaborate with medical teams and psychiatrists regarding psychotropic medication assessment or continuation.
Collaborate with educational/vocational systems to ensure appropriate academic services.
Seek additional resources as necessary to ensure the best approach based on developmental and neurocognitive abilities.
Engage family/caregivers in stabilizing and transitioning youth to placement.
Assess progress and barriers; document all case‑management and therapeutic services in the Fusion Electronic Health Record system.
Follow Sanctuary/ROCK Program and facilitate Community Review Teams as needed for individual growth and change plans.
Assessment and Treatment Planning
Address mental‑health and other needs identified, considering the estimated length of stay.
Review assessment data; engage youth, parents/family, and significant others in gathering collateral information.
Identify signs and symptoms of serious mental illness and monitor mental‑health status for each youth.
Provide brief mental‑health status exams and develop strengths‑based treatment goals and objectives.
Recommend alternate interventions for youth not responding positively; conduct suicide risk assessments as required.
Coordinate transition planning and services to aid successful reintegration into the community.
Training and Consultation
Maintain knowledge of federal confidentiality regulations and state regulations pertaining to treatment practice.
Lead training sessions on evidence‑based treatment delivery.
Participate in orientation, education workshops, and supervision to maintain competency.
Provide consultation on local/agency level and manage professional certifications and licensure.
Documentation and Communication
Document treatment notes for individual and group sessions in the approved EHR using DAP format.
Ensure documentation reflects each youth's participation in group sessions.
Identify appropriate information to record and parties to receive updates.
Minimum Qualifications
Current, valid Colorado or State licensure within the Social Work Licensure Compact, including: Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC).
One (1) year of experience with current, valid licensure from a state participating in the Compact.
Preferred Qualifications
Relatable experience as a current or previous State of Colorado employee.
Conditions of Employment
Minimum age of 21 years; no felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
Full background and reference checks required.
State of Colorado residency at time of application and throughout employment.
Valid Colorado Driver’s License (or U.S. Driver’s License) for residents within 30 miles of the state border.
Successful completion of DYS Pre‑service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO), and mandatory annual training.
EEO Statement The State of Colorado is an equal‑opportunity employer. We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL” workforce and providing culturally responsive programs and services. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and abilities to apply. In all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans).
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