Client Support Services Counselor/ Parent Partner

ChildNet Youth and Family Services is currently recruiting for a Client Support Services Counselor (CSSC)/ Parent Partner for our Inland Empire (IE) Behavioral Health Services program located in Palm Desert, CA.

IE Behavioral Health Services provides various Support Services to Foster Family Network (FFN) foster children, resource parents and their natural families, as well as community-based clients. The Client Support Services Counselor (CSSC)/Parent Partner provides regular Support Services to Intensive Services Foster Care (ISFC) placed clients, resource parents and families in the community, in collaboration with other members of the ISFC and/or mental health treatment team. The CSSC/Parent Partner will be assigned to serve high-risk youth and work within the community, coordinating services needed to meet the needs of clients and their families. All services are provided according to county contracts and in compliance with agency policies and procedures and state requirements. Work hours may begin and end at various intervals throughout the day. Work days may include Saturdays and Sundays, and two consecutive days off during the 40 hour work week are not guaranteed. Position requirements include a work schedule not consistent with eight (8) straight scheduled hours of working time. If a business-related call is received between work functions or between intervals of working time, it is expected that an attempt will be made to return the call within 30 minutes.

The CSSC/ Parent Partner responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Coordinate and provide services, including IHBS/Rehab and TBS services to children and adolescents under the supervision of the CSSC Supervisor or their designee. This will frequently involve one-to-one interaction with a specific client for extended periods.
• Meet with clients regularly, and as often as necessary, to provide opportunities to practice new skills to support them in their homes and in various community environments and situations.
• Meet level of service requirements according to the needs of each child identified on the client treatment plan as requiring services.
• Maintain availability for possible crisis intervention services 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
• Attend and participate in CFT, IEP, and consult meetings, and other client-related meetings as part of the treatment implementation team.
• Complete assessments, reports, and other required paperwork for timely submission to county placing agencies.
• Maintain contact notes and DMH billing documentation for each individual client.
• Identify, report, and respond to extreme behavior, such as verbal aggression, biting, hitting, kicking, throwing items (e.g., food, objects, and/or bodily fluids), self-inflicted injuries, property damage, substance abuse, etc., in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations and ChildNet policies and procedures.
• Facilitate sessions with clients as scheduled throughout the week, minimizing missed sessions. Any missed sessions must be made up during the same week.
• Attend DPSS/DMH meetings, provider meetings, and other community events as a representative of the agency’s ISFC or TBS program.
• Maintain required CSSC/Parent Partner training as outlined in the county contract.
• Maintain a strength-based philosophy (e.g., a family-centered, strength-based, needs-driven planning and service delivery process servicing high-risk youth and their families).
• Participate in the Child and Family Team.
• Maintain an active caseload (assisting the treatment team); provide supervision of assigned clients as needed. Participate in the 24-hour/7 days-a-week on-call system to assure that families can access support during times of need.
• Assist the Clinician by providing direct services to the client and family as identified in the treatment plan. Work directly with each assigned child and their family in their respective environments, including in-home/out-of-home placements and in their respective communities as identified in the treatment plan. Advocate for youth and families within their respective communities. (e.g., IEP meetings, court appearances, etc.).
• Coordinate and organize formal and informal support to partner with families, leading to a plan that is permanent in the community.
• Complete all required reports and documentation in accordance with county obligations and ensure integrity of all documentation.
• Maintain availability to meet client needs at varying times, including evenings and weekends.
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

The CSSC/ Parent Partner shall possess:

• Bachelor’s degree in a social science-related field (e.g., Social Work or Social Welfare, Marriage & Family Therapy, Child Psychology, Child Development, Counseling Psychology or Social Psychology, etc.); AND at least six months of experience working with emotionally disturbed children in institutional or out-of-home care settings; OR
• Associate’s degree in a social science-related field AND at least one year of experience working with emotionally disturbed children in institutional or residential settings.
• The educational requirements may be waived for CSSC/Parent Partner with at least two years of experience working with emotionally disturbed children or children who have a serious behavioral problem, and who demonstrate a combination of education, skills, and experience that meets the specific cultural and linguistic needs of the target population.
• Must have been or currently be the parent or primary caregiver of a child who received/receives mental health services, must have personal experience with a special needs (emotional or behavioral) youth AND, at the time of hire, must not have an open case with either the Probation Department or DPSS.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Must have a reliable source of transportation.
• Bilingual proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and understanding Spanish is required.

All offers of employment with ChildNet Youth and Family Services, Inc. are contingent upon a post-offer, pre-hire medical clearance with an occupational physical, tuberculosis screening, and a negative drug test. A background clearance which consists of fingerprinting through the Dept. of Justice/FBI/Child Abuse Index Search is required. Underwriting requirements of this agency include keeping a valid California driver’s license, valid auto liability insurance on file, and maintaining a good driving record while employed.

EOE M/F/V/D

Hourly rate; $23

WHO WE ARE

ChildNet Youth & Family Services, a nonprofit corporation headquartered in Long Beach, CA. We provide Counseling, Education, Foster Care and In-Home Services to at-risk children. ChildNet has been at the forefront of providing innovative and quality care to thousands of children and their families for over 50 years.

OUR MISSION

To provide safe homes, education and counseling to vulnerable children and families.

OUR EMPLOYEES

Are a diverse group of professionals who create a culture of caring with our clients and within the organization.

WHAT WE OFFER

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and 403b Retirement including eligibility of a discretionary employer contribution after 2 years of service, Stability, Career Advancement, Tuition Reimbursement, along with generous sick, vacation and holiday time. ChildNet offers a hybrid work policy; eligibility is determined by business and program needs.

WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE! COME AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH US!