Address
Form of workJob Description
About Delaware Guidance Services
Delaware Guidance Services for Children and Youth, Inc. (DGS) is the largest provider of outpatient behavioral health services to children and families in Delaware. We operate offices in Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Lewes, and Seaford, and we are the only statewide not-for-profit outpatient behavioral health organization for children and adolescents accredited by JCAHO. In 2020, we were honored as a Compassionate Champion for our dedication to serving youth and families using a trauma-informed approach.
Through DGS, clients and families have access to outpatient counseling, group therapy, parent-child interaction therapy, and school-based services. Our community-based service lines serve youth and families who require a more intense therapeutic protocol. DGS’ 24-hour statewide Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) dispatches skilled crisis intervention clinicians to provide immediate care to children experiencing behavioral health crises. Therapeutic options are available for a wide range of diagnoses including depression, anxiety, mood disorders, eating disorders, traumatic stress-related disorders, and suicidal ideation. In 2021, DGS clinicians provided over 54,000 direct care hours to children, youth, and families in Delaware. Over 93% of clients report improvement in their level of functioning following treatment, and therapeutic benefits derived from trauma-informed care extend to clients’ siblings, caregivers, classmates, and peers.
Our client population is racially and ethnically diverse; 80% of DGS clients are Medicaid recipients and 90% have household incomes under $30,000. Many of our clients present with significant treatment challenges including learning impacts due to missed school and negative economic impact due to parental missed work. We provide care to anyone in need, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay for care. DGS also provides services specifically tailored to meet the unique behavioral health care needs of child welfare-involved families and foster youth
Why Work at Delaware Guidance Services?
DGS strives to build a collaborative, flexible, and client-focused work environment. Employee wellness is a top priority. In addition to offering flexible work arrangements, DGS offers a comprehensive and competitive employee benefits package including the following:
- Competitive Compensation
- Incentive Pay for Specific Roles
- Generous Paid Time Off (starting at 44 days of paid leave a year)
- Up to 8% Annual Contribution to Your Retirement Fund
- Free Professional Development Opportunities
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Life and Long-term Disability Insurance
- Flexible / Hybrid work environment (community based)
- Salary + $3,500 Program Premium
- Generous benefits and time off policies
- Ability to work with children through a mission driven organization
The Family Based Mental Health Therapist (MHT) serves as one part of a therapist dyad to the children and families participating in the program. They work to provide intensive family, individual and crisis-based interventions to youth and families. The MHT will work together with their co-therapist to provide/coordinate community based mental health treatment and services. The MHT is responsible for developing and implementing systemically based interventions utilizing structural family therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, behavior modification, psychoeducation and other researched-based approaches.
Family Based Services is a community-based program that provides all clinical services in the community. Staffs are required to be in the office for weekly group and individual supervision, as well as other meetings or appointments as scheduled. Approximately 80-90% of time is spent in the community. The MHT provides services in the client’s home/environment during “non-traditional hours”, according to the needs and schedules of the families on their caseload. Provide crisis interventions and stabilization 24/7 to the clients/families on their caseload which may include responding by phone and in-person during non-traditional hours. All assessment and treatment activities implemented will conform to family-based regulations and good practice standards.
Essential functions:
Clinical Therapy and Case Management
- Provide intensive family therapy, individual therapy, other relational therapy (co-caregivers, siblings) and crisis-based interventions to youth and families on a weekly basis
- Engage primary caregiver(s) and other key participants in active, change-oriented treatment by identifying and overcoming barriers to engagement and attainment of identified goals
- Engage key participants and relevant systems while identifying systemic strengths and needs within each system to ensure their support and cooperation throughout treatment
- Complete eco-systemic structural assessment of targeted behaviors/problems within the ecological context.
- Provide services based on the family’s schedule, including provision of services and crisis intervention by phone and in person, during “non-traditional hours” which may include evenings and weekends if necessary
Team Partnership
- Work collaboratively with a co-therapist as well as other systems impacting the family (i.e. Family Court, Child Welfare, Educational Systems, other Mental/Behavioral Health Providers, etc.).
- Utilize team supervision to build a strong partnership with their co-therapist. Work the different stages of “Intentional Teaming.”
Training and Supervision
- Participate in weekly team and group supervision
- Participate in training to develop skills required to implement Family-Based program model
- Actively participate in case consultation utilizing taped therapy session as needed
General Responsibilities
- Uphold professional standards of treatment and the mission of the organization
- Maintain a quality code of conduct, ethics and professionalism
- Provide goal-directed and team-oriented services
- Communicate effectively and professionally with all stakeholders
- Achieve level of productivity (service hours) within established range set by the program director.
- Adhere to professional code of ethics and follow existing federal and state guidelines and laws pertaining to mandated reporting procedures
- Willingness to work with diverse groups and multi-cultural populations with a degree of respect and professionalism
- Perform other duties as assigned by their manager.
Clinical Documentation
- Maintain clear and concise documentation of treatment interventions and case development in accordance with reporting and documentation regulations and agency policies
- Develop and implement initial and ongoing treatment plans with focus on utilizing strengths and reviewing outcomes regularly using an analytic process
- Complete all program paperwork to agency standards and submit according to determined time frames
- Conduct initial and ongoing assessment of the identified youth and family, including review of referral information
Competencies/ Capabilities:
- Initiative/drive, and self-starter
- Collaborative Team Member, Strong Interpersonal skills/relationships/teamwork
- Judgment/decision making/problem solving
- Adaptability/continuous improvement/flexibility
- Commitment and willingness to professional growth and development
Supervisory responsibilities: None
Work environment: Client homes, Schools, Community, Office, Partial telecommuting with approval
Physical demands:
- Prolonged periods of sitting in sessions, ability to drive throughout the day, and ability to working on a computer
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times
Travel required: Regular (daily at times) travel within county utilizing agency fleet with occasional transport of clients, milage reimbursement when utilizing personal vehicle
Required education and experience:
- Master’s Degree from an accredited school, degree must qualify for licensure in the state of Delaware as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), License Professional Counselor of Mental Health (LPCMH), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Psychologist
- Valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record
- Two or more years of experience in mental health or behavior health services
Preferred education and experience:
- Two or more years of experience in Family therapy or other related experience
EEO:
Delaware Guidance Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
