Bilingual Crisis Counselor

The Host Homes program provides three weeks of emergency shelter to homeless and/or runaway youth, ages 12-17. In order to provide youth with safe, loving, and stable homes, the program recruits, trains, and certifies both English and Spanish speaking individuals and families as host families. This position is listed for the Prince George’s County, Riverdale MMYC Site. The Host Home Crisis Counselor collaborates with other Host Home staff, families, and individuals to provide crisis counseling services. They help remove barriers by providing reunification focused counseling and address client/ family concerns. Staff must be committed to working flexible hours throughout the week and weekend, 29 hours per week.

JOIN US AND SUPPORT YOUTH TO LIVE, WORK, AND STUDY WITH DIGNITY, HOPE, AND JOY!

LAYC/MMYC is an organization that makes a difference in our community. We invite you to join our talented staff and become a part of an organization that is known for its commitment to excellence, mission, and respect for youth. We value diversity as a strength, with 85% of our staff identifying as people of color. We prioritize recruiting and supporting staff who have shared life experiences as our youth.

LAYC/MMYC’s mission is to empower a diverse population of youth to achieve a successful transition to adulthood, through multicultural, comprehensive, and innovative programs that address youths' social, academic, and career needs. To achieve that mission, LAYC/MMYC provides services and opportunities to approximately 5,000 individuals annually to support academic achievement, promote healthy behaviors, and guide youth toward successful adulthood. LAYC/MMYC also conducts advocacy and public policy work to broaden opportunities for youth.

LOCATION: Riverdale, MD

COMPENSATION: $30 per hour

COMPETITIVE BENEFITS

In addition to a friendly work environment, we are pleased to offer the following benefits to our employees.

• Sick Leave Accrual
• One to two days per week of telework for most positions.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Writes full psychosocial assessments for youth in the program.
• Assists youth in the attainment of personal goals.
• Develops each youth’s Case Plan within 72 hours of admission to the program.
• Conducts support groups.
• Conducts family sessions as appropriate and with the goal of helping youth create a net of life-long informal support.
• Can meet the scheduling needs of the client.
• Monitors youth’s progress and maintains frequent communication with youth through phone calls, home visits, school visits, text messages, and any other means of communication to ensure that individual goals are being addressed and met.
• Works with and develops strong, healthy relationships with youth, family members, and others involved in the youth’s life.
• Provides in depth skills development (life skills, career development, etc) on an individual basis for youth as needed.
• Gathers appropriate documents for case files and requests necessary information from outside agencies to maintain the file up to date.
• Works with community agencies, school leaders, and LAYC/MMYC program staff to develop and foster an effective coordination of services for youth.
• Collaborates with external evaluators and assists in data collection as needed.
• Provides crisis intervention and responds to emergencies as necessary and remains available for emergencies.
• Tracks outcomes and enters case notes regularly in LAYC’s database system, Efforts-to Outcome (ETO) to assist in the evaluation of the program.
• Improves professional skills by attending workshops, seminars, and training sessions as allowed by time and funding constraints.
• Works in collaboration with the Host Homes recruitment Case Manager to conduct monthly outreach events.
• Conducts community mental health workshops in Spanish and in English.
• Is available to conduct one-on-one, family, group counseling sessions.
• Helps with the recruitment of new participants and new Host Parents.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Program Manager.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s Degree in Counseling, Social Work, or a related field of study.
• Licensed according to the State of Maryland licensing board requirements (LCSW,LMFT, LPC, LAC, LMSW)

• Minimum 2 years of experience working with at-risk youth.
• Experience in managing crisis situations.
• Proficient computer skills, experience with ETO or other data collection system a plus.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual or fluent/proficient: English and Spanish required
• Knowledge of case management, monitoring and reporting.
• Ability to work well and communicate with a culturally diverse population.
• Ability to translate Positive Youth Development techniques into practice.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Excellent oral and written skills
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of community and local resources in DC and Maryland.
• Flexible schedule, including occasional evenings for school events.
• Complete criminal and child abuse/neglect clearances.
• Flexible, energetic, positive individual with commitment to youth development in a high quality, respectful environment.
• Ability to work well and communicate with culturally diverse populations.
• LAYC/MMYC requires the COVID-19 vaccine of all its employees. You will be asked to provide proof of vaccination at the time of your interview and at your onboarding.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This is largely a sedentary position that requires the ability to speak, hear, see, and lift small objects up to 10 lbs. May require the ability to travel locally and/or regionally.

LAYC/MMYC is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing opportunities without regard to age, race, color, pregnancy, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or status within any other protected group.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume.