Social Worker / Counselor I (Behavioral Health Specialist) - Spring Creek Youth Services

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Social Worker / Counselor I (Behavioral Health Specialist) - Spring Creek Youth Services

Salary

$2,562.92 Biweekly

Location

El Paso County, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

IKA 05448 9/12/24

Department

Colorado Department of Human Services

Division

OCYF - Spring Creek Youth Services Center

Opening Date

09/12/2024

Closing Date

9/23/2024 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Type of Announcement

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Primary Physical Work Address

3190 E. Las Vegas St, Colorado Springs, CO 80906

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

araceli.diaz@state.co.us

How To Apply

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

Department Information

This position is open to current Colorado residents only.

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies at the locations below.

Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details! (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-of-colorado-employee-benefits)

Division of Youth Services - Spring Creek Youth Services Center

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

Opt in below to receive text message updates on CDHS recruiting events!

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Description of Job

Summary of Work Unit:

This work unit exists to provide supervised onsite mental health services to committed and detained youth in a secure facility. It provides individual, family, or group services in support of and in alignment with the Division of Youth Services (DYS) strategic plan and DYS treatment model within a trauma informed environment. This work unit identifies youth needs and develops interventions to mitigate risk and enhance protective factors to ensure successful reintegration into the community. It works collaboratively with milieu staff, education, family, client management, and community stakeholders to provide evidence-based services to youth with complex mental health needs. This position is designed to provide onsite services and is not approved to provide remote services to youth unless approved by the Director of Behavioral Health and Medical Services (BHMS) or designee.

Summary of the position:

The trainee role requires a master's degree in mental health, qualifying as a Social Worker, Counselor, or Marriage and Family Therapist. The role's purpose is to deliver supervised clinical services to youths facing complex mental health challenges, trauma, substance abuse, and related issues within the facility. Additionally, the trainee will be trained to address criminogenic risk factors and family interventions in the adolescent demographic. The trainee will gain an understanding of criminal behavior in adolescents, aiming to reduce criminogenic risks and enhance protective factors, while also tackling the interplay between mental health and criminal activity. The role is structured to foster learning and application of strength-based perspectives, systems theory, and trauma-informed care. The trainee will also be expected to learn about and cater to the needs of committed or detained youths who exhibit behavioral and psychiatric problems stemming from traumatic experiences, such as abuse or significant family distress.

This role conducts a mental health screening in line with DYS policy upon a youth's admission when applicable. It determines whether a youth qualifies for chronic care services or has special needs affecting their experience in a DYS facility. Additionally, this role refers youth to psychiatric services when suitable. It collaborates with medical personnel to assess if medical conditions affect the youth's emotional and psychological well-being. Utilizing the Youth Assessment Screening Instrument (YASI) and other validated tools, this position addresses criminogenic risk factors influencing underlying behavior through a strengths-based method and consideration of a youth's protective factors.

This role will employ a case conceptualization model to collect facts about the youth, assess needs, recognize strengths, and devise treatment/intervention strategies. Under supervision, this position is accountable for creating and executing Individual Growth and Change Plan (IGCP) and chronic care plans in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team, which may include the client manager, family, facility staff for youth, and the community stakeholder team when suitable.

Services are rendered in accordance with DORA regulations and mental health training, encompassing clinical assessment, service planning, individual and group counseling, record-keeping, and coordination with a multidisciplinary team. The position is tailored for on-site service delivery and does not permit remote services unless sanctioned by the Associate Director of Behavioral Health and Medical Services (BHMS) or the Director of Behavioral Health Operations or their designee.

The role involves providing direct services to youth, including individual, family, and group sessions, as well as learning daily behavioral health services, ensuring that transition planning and service continuity post-discharge are executed. The professional in this position understands adolescent behavior and is capable of treating youth by reducing risks, enhancing protective factors, and addressing the interplay between substance abuse and behavior. Utilizing a strength-based approach, systems theory, trauma-informed care, and behavioral strategies, this position, as a Social Worker/Counselor I, also supports other Behavioral Health Specialists peers and Clinical Interns.

Job Duties:

Assessment and Treatment Planning.

When applicable this position completes mental health screening according to DYS policy when a youth is admitted to a DYS Youth Center. This position will thoroughly assess a youth’s mental health needs by reviewing the youth’s main and medical files and making initial and collateral contacts as appropriate. Maintains a caseload and will provide behavioral health care to each youth. Conducts individual, group, and family therapeutic interventions using evidence-based treatment theories and curricula. Provides counseling in accordance with training and expertise gained through specific training and knowledge of DORA standards and the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health (OCFMH) expectations. Therapeutic intervention service needs include substance use, psychoeducation, mental health issues, trauma histories, cognitive limitations, sensory integration, and offense specific services youth who have committed sexual offense along with youth who are abusive or violent youth. Detention mental health services are - relevant to the needs of the youth. This role involves identifying pertinent individual needs and protective factors, considering age, ethnicity, culture, religion, and sexual identity, which influence behavior change and the mitigation of complex concurrent needs and risks to the community, as well as symptoms in the individual and family during detention. Treatments and interventions for youth are delivered using a strengths-based approach and in a holistic manner.

This role will utilize appropriate behavioral interventions, sensory integration, and methods like DBT, CBT, and Motivational Interviewing techniques with youth when necessary. It is responsible for interpreting treatment issues, needs, expectations, and behavioral changes for residents and their families. Additionally, it will document and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in achieving the objectives and goals outlined in the treatment plan.

Treatment - incorporates and addresses the youth’s risk, needs and protective factors and how criminal conduct, trauma histories, substance abuse and mental health issues are related. Collaborate with the medical team and psychiatrist regarding psychotropic medication use in treatment and collaborate with primary BHS on assessing needs for medication if appropriate. Collaborate with client manager and primary BHS to assist in developing wrap-around transition and aftercare services for the youth nearing parole / discharge to support sobriety. Collaborate with educational/vocational systems to ensure appropriate academic services are provided, and work with the school Behavioral Health Specialist in ensuring consistent behavior interventions for youth who may be struggling in the school environment. Seek out additional resources as necessary to ensure the best approach to treatment with the youth based on their developmental and neurocognitive ability. Therapeutic interventions are provided in a manner that is consistent with the youth’s ability, considering any necessary modification needed because of trauma, substance abuse, brain injury and mental health disorders. This position supports agency services of individualized services using cognitive behavioral based interventions, sensory modulation, Motivational Interviewing, Sanctuary model and the DYS Treatment Model.

Facilitation of daily groups (as necessary), assessment of progress, barriers to progress, collaboration with multidisciplinary team members, communication of pertinent information to primary BHS, milieu staff and education, and documentation of all case management and therapeutic services in the electronic record system by the end of next business day. Documents summary of progress in monthly treatment plans for youth on caseload. Documents all assessments, sessions, court reports, transition plans, community passes and staffing sessions. Communicates effectively in verbal and written formats, that demonstrates knowledge and expertise in working with juveniles who have substance abuse issues. Can elaborate on needs, protective factors, progress and barriers to progress in a manner that is understandable to all audiences and partners, to include family, client management, education staff, parole boards, private providers, courts, etc. Conducts all mental health services in accordance with DORA and OCFMH standards to mitigate risk and improve overall health. Services provided are at an advanced level based on licensing and experience in the substance abuse field, relevant to current research and best practice principles.

Treatment.This position utilizes and presents a case conceptualization model of youth on caseload upon entering the facility and discusses this with supervisor and present to Department chairs for collaboration and decision making around appropriate services. Duties include:

• Within the first 30 days of a youth’s arrival, this position thoroughly assesses youth’s treatment needs by reviewing the youth’s DYS Assessment report and medical record and making initial and collateral contacts as appropriate. When applicable completes a Mental Health screening of all youth who are being detained.

• Collaborate and coordinate treatment needs of youth with DYS client manager, and assessment services to match treatment with estimated length of stay and client need, within 30 days of admission.

• Interview the resident ensuring that the assessment data is as reliable as possible, that the resident is engaged in a supportive and educative manner, that confidentiality is maximized, and that problematic symptoms and behaviors are thoroughly evaluated and handled in a sensitive and safe manner.

• Contact/engage parents/family members, significant others, guardians, and referring agents to interview and obtain relevant collateral and supportive data to enhance the understanding and dynamics of the youth’s situation.

• Collaborate with and coordinate with direct staff, education, client manager, youth, and other pertinent treatment team members in the development of a treatment service plan.

• Provide oversight to the treatment plans and identify goals and measurable objectives, interventions and those responsible for providing them, frequency of interventions, and responsibility of the youth.

• Treatment plan objectives will include skills that youth is working on in addition to individual and group session objectives.

• A multi-disciplinary integrated and comprehensive approach will be applied to treatment planning, involving the youth, and family members as well as professionals utilizing best practice strength-based approach.

• This position utilizes a case conceptualization model in gathering facts about the youth, determining needs, identifying protective factors and developing treatment needs, this will be presented to supervisor and discussed with a multidisciplinary team.

• This position places an emphasis on facilitating a review, making recommendations, and developing alternative interventions to be implemented by team staff and client for cases that represent a negative or no change response to treatment.

• Treatment planning will be cognizant of gender, cultural, religious, or spiritual and sexual identity issues to affect behavior change and reduction of symptoms in the adolescent and family. This position guides transition planning and services to aid in successful youth reintegration into the community.

• Collaborate with client manager and MDT in recommending transition and aftercare programming as appropriate.

• Participate in the assessment of safety and intervention/and monitoring plans for suicidal youth, with the direct supervision of a licensed behavioral health specialist, only for youth on their caseload.

Training, Consultation. Participates and supports orientation, educational workshops, mental health, co-occurring disorders, and family department meetings, and training to assure and maintain competency in the provision of evidence-based mental health services. Serve as clinical support to unit managers and other clinical providers regarding the delivery of clinical services, milieu services and interventions. Provide consultation to milieu staff to assist in the implementation of youth treatment goals and objectives. Participates in family department meetings and training to assure and maintain competence. Supports and promotes Division and agency initiatives. Is knowledgeable of and in compliance with all DYS policies and audit standards. Is responsible for maintaining all professional certifications. Actively participates in own professional growth and continued training, research, and CEU’s. Participates in clinical supervision with the clinical director. Participate in team meetings and shift briefings.

Documentation. Document in approved electronic database for all individual and group sessions in approved DYS format. Group documentations must be individualized, reflecting how each particular youth participated in each group session. Document incident reports as indicated, ensure follow-up for DHS reports on a timely basis. Ensure all intern notes are entered into the approved electronic database when responsible for supervising the intern. Document calls to guardians and client managers. All documentation shall be reviewed and signed off on by the Clinical Clinical or their designee.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience Only:

Four (4) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position.

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to four (4) years.

Preferred qualifications:

Enrolled in a Master's program that is license eligible.

Conditions of Employment:

• Full Background - CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference checks, Professional License Verification, Drug Screen, PREA, Trails check.

• Current/valid and unrestricted US Driver’s License

• Travel. Transportation of youth in state vehicles, travel to assigned trainings and/or alternate work sites.

• Shift Work- Subject to assigned shifts.

• 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

• Must be 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence

• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position, (3) provide the employee number from the applicant’s prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

Appeal Rights:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov ; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#how-to-apply)

Need help with your application? Click here.

The Assessment Process (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#assessment-process)

For additional recruiting questions, please contact araceli.diaz@state.co.us

About Us:

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs) (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including aPERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Planwww.copera.orgplus 401(k) and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans

• Employer supplementedHealth Savings Account

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• BenefitHubstate employee discount program

• Employee Wellness program MotivateMe

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

  *Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more

  information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs .

Our Values:

We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans .

Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

ADAA Accommodations: CDHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.

THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#technical-support)

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

01

If you are a current or former State of Colorado employee, please list your employee number (starts with 997). Failure to provide this requested information may render your application incomplete, and you may no longer be considered for the position.

02

Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application. In the space below, please provide an explanation as to why the prior termination or resignation should NOT disqualify your application from the current position.

03

A condition of employment requires applicants to be 21 years of age or older. Do you meet this condition?

• Yes

• No

  04

  Are you currently licensed or approved by the CO DORA to provide mental health services?

• Yes, I am currently licensed or approved by the CO DORA to provide mental health services

• No, I am not currently licensed or approved by the CO DORA to provide mental health services

  05

  Are you currently enrolled in a masters degree program or do you have:

• A LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist), LAC (Licensed Addictions Counselor), LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), or PSY (Licensed Psychologist)

• A behavioral health license eligible master's degree, but no license at this time. A behavioral health license eligible master's degree, but no license at this time

• Within 6 months or less of graduation in a behavioral health license eligible masters program?

• Not currently enrolled in a behavioral health license eligible master's program

  06

  How many years of experience do you have working with youth who have complex mental health needs, severe behavioral challenges, learning disabilities, co-occurring disorders, limited skills?

• 0-3 years

• 3-5 years

• 5+ years

  07

  How many years of experience do you have facilitating psychotherapy/psychoeducation groups?

• 0-3 years

• 3-5 years

• 5+ years

  08

  How many years of experience do you have working with youth in the juvenile justice field?

  09

  How many years of experience do you have writing individual treatment plans?

  10

  How many years of experience do you have working on teams? communication on a team?

  11

  Have you ever been reported to a licensing board? If so, what were the circumstances and what was the outcome?

  12

  Describe your ability to work on a team with various work backgrounds as well as a time when a conflict arose on that team and how you addressed the conflict

  13

  The bottom of this job announcement provides links to additional information on how to apply, the assessment process, toll free applicant technical support, and about how the State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. Please acknowledge below that you have read the information provided in these links.

• This information is available to me and I have read this information

• I am unable to access the links with this information on the job posting. (If you select this option, please contact the recruiter, whose information is listed on this announcement, so that they can send this information directly to you.)

  14

  Your legal name is used in the hiring process for background checks. Did you use your full legal name in your application?

• Yes

• No

  Required Question

Agency

State of Colorado

Address

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Website

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