State of Colorado
Behavioral Health Specialist, Social Work / Counselor III - Spring Creek Youth S
State of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States, 80509
Behavioral Health Specialist, Social Work / Counselor III – Spring Creek Youth Services Center
Join to apply for the Behavioral Health Specialist, Social Work / Counselor III – Spring Creek Youth Services Center role at the State of Colorado.
Department Information This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies at the locations below.
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 the agency 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. The Division also contracts with numerous private residential and non‑residential service providers throughout the State. For pre‑adjudicated youth, the Division is also responsible for the management and oversight of Colorado Youth Detention Continuum, a State‑funded, locally administered program that provides services to youth at risk of further progressing into the juvenile justice system. In addition to residential programming, the Division administers juvenile parole services throughout the State.
We invite you to explore the 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
Job Summary The Social Work series and other identified Behavioral Health Specialists employed by the facility are responsible for providing evidence‑based and research‑supported therapeutic intervention services to youth committed and detained with the Division of Youth Services. They provide therapeutic care of and support opportunities for growth and change for youth and their caregivers to ensure healthy and successful reintegration. Behavioral Health Specialists maintain and support the DYS treatment model and Sanctuary principles with transition staff, client management, mental health services, medical, special education, security staff and administration as needed.
Job Duties
Maintain a caseload and conduct individual, group, and family therapy sessions using evidence‑based treatment theories in mental health treatment for adolescents.
Maintain a clear understanding of adolescent development, appropriate interventions for this population, and developmental needs.
Use theories relevant to the needs of the youth and their individual history, considering their age, ethnicity, cultural, religious and sexual issues to affect behavior change.
Document and assess the effectiveness of specific interventions toward program progression and youth stabilization.
Provide therapeutic services for substance abuse, mental health issues, trauma histories, cognitive limitations, and services for sexually abusive or violent youth.
Collaborate with the medical team and psychiatrist regarding psychotropic medication assessment or continuation.
Collaborate with educational/vocational systems to ensure appropriate academic services are provided.
Seek out additional resources as necessary to ensure the best approach to treating the youth based on their developmental and neurocognitive ability.
Provide therapy in a manner consistent with the youth’s ability, taking into account any necessary modification due to trauma, substance abuse, brain injury, or mental health disorders.
Support agency services of cognitive behavioral‑based interventions, social learning theory, and motivational interviewing.
Actively engage family/caregivers in the process of stabilizing and transitioning youth to placement.
Assess progress, and barriers to progress, and document all case management and therapeutic services in the Fusion Electronic Health Record system.
Follow Sanctuary/ROCK Program.
Facilitate Community Review Teams as needed for Individual Growth and Change Plans and other interventions.
Assessment and Treatment Planning
Address mental health and other needs identified, taking into consideration the estimated length of stay.
Review assessment data and recommendations with youth, gather additional historical information, develop therapeutic rapport, ensure youth is engaged, maintain confidentiality, and evaluate problematic symptoms.
Engage parents/family members, significant others, guardians, and referring agents to interview and obtain relevant collateral and supportive data.
Recognize signs and symptoms of serious mental illness (per DSM‑5) and monitor mental health status.
Complete a brief mental health status exam.
Make recommendations and develop alternate interventions for youth not responding positively to programming. Knowledge of suicide risk indicators is required, with ongoing suicide risk assessments.
Provide input in conjunction with other transition specialists to transition planning and services for successful reintegration into the community.
Coordinate with YSSIII, Client Managers, and milieu staff in the implementation of milieu interventions.
Determine appropriate strengths‑based treatment goals and objectives for youth.
Determine appropriate individuals to provide treatment and other services to youth per treatment plan.
Training and Consultation
Possess thorough knowledge of federal confidentiality regulations 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA, and all Colorado Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division Rules for treatment practice.
Maintain current knowledge of literature and emerging research in best practices for treating juvenile mental health, substance abuse issues, and co‑occurring disorders with a complex population.
Train others in the facility in best‑practice treatment delivery approaches.
Participate in orientation, educational workshops, mental health, co‑occurring disorders, and substance abuse discipline meetings and trainings.
Guide staff by modeling interventions, recommending practices, and resident assignments that may be implemented.
Participate in initial case reviews of all new youth, assist in group placement, and assist in case consultation.
Provide trainings and consultation on a local/agency level. Maintain professional certifications and licensure.
Participate in clinical supervision with the clinical director.
Participate in supervision to remain in good standing for license renewals. Attend treatment team meetings and briefings.
Provide input on decisions around milieu programming and implementation of treatment goals and objectives within the milieu.
Provide input in the development of additional treatment program options.
Documentation and Communication
Document in approved EHR a treatment note for all individual and group sessions in DAP format.
Group documentations must be individualized, reflecting how each youth participated in each group session.
Identify appropriate information to be recorded and the appropriate place to record it.
Identify appropriate parties to receive information on youth treatment and the most appropriate mode of communication.
Minimum Qualifications
Current, valid Colorado or State participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact licensure as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) OR Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) OR Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) OR 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 Social Work Licensure Compact based on the work assigned to the position.
Preferred Qualifications
Relatable experience as a current or previous State of Colorado employee.
Conditions Of Employment
Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
Full background check and reference check required.
Require State of Colorado residency at the time of application and throughout employment.
Motor Vehicle Check if the employee will drive a state‑owned vehicle.
Possess a valid, non‑restricted Colorado Driver’s License or a non‑restricted U.S. Driver's License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border.
Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the DYS Pre‑service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO) and mandatory annual training in all subject areas.
The Diana Screen® is administered to all applicants seeking positions of trust with children and teens.
Former state employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose that information on the application.
EEO Statement The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL” of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds, identities, and abilities to apply.
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Department Information This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies at the locations below.
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 the agency 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. The Division also contracts with numerous private residential and non‑residential service providers throughout the State. For pre‑adjudicated youth, the Division is also responsible for the management and oversight of Colorado Youth Detention Continuum, a State‑funded, locally administered program that provides services to youth at risk of further progressing into the juvenile justice system. In addition to residential programming, the Division administers juvenile parole services throughout the State.
We invite you to explore the 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
Job Summary The Social Work series and other identified Behavioral Health Specialists employed by the facility are responsible for providing evidence‑based and research‑supported therapeutic intervention services to youth committed and detained with the Division of Youth Services. They provide therapeutic care of and support opportunities for growth and change for youth and their caregivers to ensure healthy and successful reintegration. Behavioral Health Specialists maintain and support the DYS treatment model and Sanctuary principles with transition staff, client management, mental health services, medical, special education, security staff and administration as needed.
Job Duties
Maintain a caseload and conduct individual, group, and family therapy sessions using evidence‑based treatment theories in mental health treatment for adolescents.
Maintain a clear understanding of adolescent development, appropriate interventions for this population, and developmental needs.
Use theories relevant to the needs of the youth and their individual history, considering their age, ethnicity, cultural, religious and sexual issues to affect behavior change.
Document and assess the effectiveness of specific interventions toward program progression and youth stabilization.
Provide therapeutic services for substance abuse, mental health issues, trauma histories, cognitive limitations, and services for sexually abusive or violent youth.
Collaborate with the medical team and psychiatrist regarding psychotropic medication assessment or continuation.
Collaborate with educational/vocational systems to ensure appropriate academic services are provided.
Seek out additional resources as necessary to ensure the best approach to treating the youth based on their developmental and neurocognitive ability.
Provide therapy in a manner consistent with the youth’s ability, taking into account any necessary modification due to trauma, substance abuse, brain injury, or mental health disorders.
Support agency services of cognitive behavioral‑based interventions, social learning theory, and motivational interviewing.
Actively engage family/caregivers in the process of stabilizing and transitioning youth to placement.
Assess progress, and barriers to progress, and document all case management and therapeutic services in the Fusion Electronic Health Record system.
Follow Sanctuary/ROCK Program.
Facilitate Community Review Teams as needed for Individual Growth and Change Plans and other interventions.
Assessment and Treatment Planning
Address mental health and other needs identified, taking into consideration the estimated length of stay.
Review assessment data and recommendations with youth, gather additional historical information, develop therapeutic rapport, ensure youth is engaged, maintain confidentiality, and evaluate problematic symptoms.
Engage parents/family members, significant others, guardians, and referring agents to interview and obtain relevant collateral and supportive data.
Recognize signs and symptoms of serious mental illness (per DSM‑5) and monitor mental health status.
Complete a brief mental health status exam.
Make recommendations and develop alternate interventions for youth not responding positively to programming. Knowledge of suicide risk indicators is required, with ongoing suicide risk assessments.
Provide input in conjunction with other transition specialists to transition planning and services for successful reintegration into the community.
Coordinate with YSSIII, Client Managers, and milieu staff in the implementation of milieu interventions.
Determine appropriate strengths‑based treatment goals and objectives for youth.
Determine appropriate individuals to provide treatment and other services to youth per treatment plan.
Training and Consultation
Possess thorough knowledge of federal confidentiality regulations 42 CFR Part 2 and HIPAA, and all Colorado Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division Rules for treatment practice.
Maintain current knowledge of literature and emerging research in best practices for treating juvenile mental health, substance abuse issues, and co‑occurring disorders with a complex population.
Train others in the facility in best‑practice treatment delivery approaches.
Participate in orientation, educational workshops, mental health, co‑occurring disorders, and substance abuse discipline meetings and trainings.
Guide staff by modeling interventions, recommending practices, and resident assignments that may be implemented.
Participate in initial case reviews of all new youth, assist in group placement, and assist in case consultation.
Provide trainings and consultation on a local/agency level. Maintain professional certifications and licensure.
Participate in clinical supervision with the clinical director.
Participate in supervision to remain in good standing for license renewals. Attend treatment team meetings and briefings.
Provide input on decisions around milieu programming and implementation of treatment goals and objectives within the milieu.
Provide input in the development of additional treatment program options.
Documentation and Communication
Document in approved EHR a treatment note for all individual and group sessions in DAP format.
Group documentations must be individualized, reflecting how each youth participated in each group session.
Identify appropriate information to be recorded and the appropriate place to record it.
Identify appropriate parties to receive information on youth treatment and the most appropriate mode of communication.
Minimum Qualifications
Current, valid Colorado or State participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact licensure as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) OR Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) OR Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) OR 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 Social Work Licensure Compact based on the work assigned to the position.
Preferred Qualifications
Relatable experience as a current or previous State of Colorado employee.
Conditions Of Employment
Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
Full background check and reference check required.
Require State of Colorado residency at the time of application and throughout employment.
Motor Vehicle Check if the employee will drive a state‑owned vehicle.
Possess a valid, non‑restricted Colorado Driver’s License or a non‑restricted U.S. Driver's License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border.
Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the DYS Pre‑service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO) and mandatory annual training in all subject areas.
The Diana Screen® is administered to all applicants seeking positions of trust with children and teens.
Former state employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose that information on the application.
EEO Statement The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL” of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds, identities, and abilities to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr