Address
Form of workMental Health Specialist
Location: Champaign, Illinois
Position Summary
The Mental Health Specialist provides timely Mental Health evaluation and assessment data to help determine the correct service venue for the customer.
The Mental Health Specialist works in alignment with the program supervisor Director of Clinical Services and Clinical Supervisor to ensure that DFCS expectations and NYAP values around services delivery to youth, families, foster parents, and community partners, provided counseling or therapy, advocacy, and support towards the ultimate goal of living safely and successfully in the community.
Who We Are
The National Youth Advocate Program has been serving communities and clients since 1978 and we continue to grow each year. Our growth allows us to expand and develop new and innovative programs to meet the ever-changing needs of those we serve. We offer unique and personalized services for families and individuals in four areas: Prevention/Intervention, Positive Youth Development, Out-of-Home-Placement and Reunification/Permanency.
We know you are compassionate and dedicated to serving your clients and communities and NYAP is dedicated to providing support to those who join our team! We look for individuals that are ready to make a direct impact and are excited to be an instrument in supporting the needs of our children, youth, and families.
Working At NYAP
- Friday Summer Hours
- Goodwill time off, based on hours worked
- 11 Partially Paid Holidays Per Year
- Tuition Assistance
- Work Anniversary Trips
- Mileage reimbursement
Responsibilities
The Mental Health Specialist will perform duties including, but not limited to:
- Actively supports, represents, and extends the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
- Provides appropriate individual, group, and family Mental Health services, case management, transportation, and other professional services, meeting or exceeding established outcomes thresholds on behalf of persons served.
- Travels daily, to provide community-based services to, and on behalf of, youth and families in compliance with organizational, contract, and regulatory requirements.
- Completes all required documentation in a timely manner.
- Completes all required training in a timely manner.
- Consistently achieves established productivity thresholds.
- Coordinate and monitor services for the youth and family in the community, including but not limited to, Mental Health, medical, educational, psychological, vocational, and social services.
- Regularly reviews and modifies youth-based assessment and treatment plans to assure consistent progress and success on written plan goals.
- Establishes and maintains strong relationships with assigned foster parents and families of origin.
- Assists in family reunification and/or stabilization efforts with the youth’s primary family or other permanent living arrangement consistent with the youth’s case plan.
- Provides safety assessment, crisis response, and behavioral stabilization services as required to assure safety and stability for youth served.
- Participates in the Continuous Quality Improvement activities on a monthly/quarterly basis.
- Actively participates in the weekly clinical supervision process, team meeting and professional development activities.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology preferred, or comparable Human Services field from an accredited institution. Master’s degree in human services is desirable.
- 2 years of work experience working with youth and families in community and a home-based setting is strongly preferred.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, interpersonal skills, customer services, and organizational skills.
- Ability to relate therapeutically with customers, display cultural sensitivity and strong sense of empathy.
- Baseline knowledge of psychiatric diagnosis and recognizes signs/symptoms of psychiatric illness and substance related diagnoses.
- Capacity to remain objective and professional in all areas of job function.
- Ability to organize data, plan, provide written and very feedback, utilize electronic health systems.
- Demonstrates tolerance and respect for the ideas and actions of others.
- Capacity to effectively work with and be respectful and sensitive to persons from various cultures, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks.
- Proficient use of desktop and laptop computers, smart phones and tablets, printers, fax machines and photocopiers as well as software including word processing, spreadsheet and database programs.
Driving and Vehicle Requirements
- Valid driver’s license
- Reliable personal transportation
- Good driving record
- Minimum automobile insurance coverage of $100,00/$300,000 bodily injury liability
If this describes YOU, please apply today!
www.nyap.org/employment
Benefits listed are for eligible employees as outlined by our benefit policy.
