WHO WE ARE:
Annually serving over 1,400 youth and families, Lawrence Hall is a community-based organization committed to helping Chicago's youth, families, and communities heal from the adverse effects of childhood trauma. For more than 150 years, Lawrence Hall has been delivering high-quality care throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and is a statewide leader in highly effective, evidence-based, and innovative therapeutic treatment. Their core programs include Child and Family Treatment Center, Therapeutic Day School, Creative Therapies, Foster Care, Transitional/Independent Living Program, Workforce Development, and Community Wellness, which have met the changing and complex needs of youth and families by becoming more community-based and developing preventative programs that help curb violence in Chicago's communities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Under the direct supervision of the Clinical Services Manager or designated supervisor, the Older Adolescent Program (OAP) Therapist carries a caseload of youth in care aged 17-21 years old. The therapist is responsible for providing individual and group therapy services, including placement stabilization services, community-based interventions, and in-home treatment. Due to the community-based nature of the work, transportation of youth in agency or personal vehicles may be required. Treatment may also aim to help youth in care with the identification, development, and restoration of family and support networks. Treatment is trauma-focused, addressing clinical concerns such as trauma symptoms, attachment issues, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and reluctance/resistance to treatment. The therapist will also develop trainings and conduct consultation services with OAP employees to provide support and stabilization for the sites at which the youth reside. This position requires effective verbal communication with team members, community resources, and young people/families, as well as the ability to provide ongoing required written documentation. The therapist must effectively use Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. Lawrence Hall fosters a culture built upon four core values: Respect, Empowerment, Safety, and Teamwork. These values are deeply embedded within our organization's philosophy of trauma-informed care and directly influence every position. The therapist must effectively use both verbal and physical crisis intervention skills and techniques with individuals aged 6 to 21 years. Physical intervention skills require the ability to kneel and return to standing without assistance. The therapist must also maintain flexibility to adjust work schedules according to the program's needs.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Carries a selected caseload of older adolescent youth in care (age 17-21).
- Rotates and travels across the Chicagoland area between Older Adolescent Program TLP and ILO sites to provide services.
- Facilitates individual, group, and family treatment modalities.
- Formulates and frequently reviews treatment plans with the supervisor.
- Administers ongoing screening tools to assess the functioning, needs, and progress of the youth.
- Prepares required clinical documentation such as Mental Health Assessments, Individual Treatment Plans, and Quarterly Progress Reports.
- Implements an intentional trauma-focused treatment process that incorporates attachment theory, cognitive behavioral approaches, and strengths/skills-based interventions.
- Takes leadership in the planning and facilitation of clinical trainings for the OAP team.
- Works closely with other team members to meet the needs of youth in care through participation in site team meetings, youth staffing meetings, and site supervisor meetings.
- Provides support and teaches OAP team methods for managing clinical and crisis issues.
- Assists youth and employees in creating safety plans and initiating clinical consultation and services that aim to stabilize the youth's placement to reduce crisis and placement disruption.
- Attends agency seminars and trainings to increase professional knowledge and skills.
- Liaison to DCFS or other agencies (courts, school districts, hospitals, SASS, outside treatment providers, etc.) to communicate concerns, goals, progress, and treatment accomplishments.
- On-call/afterhours response to clinical crisis situations when they arise.
- Determines with the team needs for adjunctive community programs (schools, recreation, jobs, vocational opportunities, medical, etc.).
- Locates and evaluates resources as needed; works closely with the case management team to facilitate referrals for supportive services.
- Liaison/facilitator in community, police, and neighborhood situations.
- Participates in psychotropic medication reviews.
- Documents all provided services as required by agency policy.
- Uses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels.
- Understands that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are survival skills developed in response to traumatic experiences.
- Maintains confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environment.
- Attends at least two trainings related to being trauma-informed in a twelve-month period.
- Ability to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees, and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recovery.
- Maintains an electronic calendar to account for daily activities and provides permissions for viewing to the appropriate individuals.
- Performs the above tasks under close weekly support, supervision, training, and direction of the clinical services manager or designated supervisor.
- Knowledge of basic computer skills and ability to communicate effectively via email.
- Maintains a professional standard when representing the agency or young people.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master's or Doctorate degree in Social Work or related Human Service field with LSW or LPC upon hire.
- LCSW or LCPC required upon eligibility.
- Knowledge of childhood trauma and prior experience working with youth and families exposed to trauma or experiencing traumatic stress preferred.
- Knowledge of youth development, adolescent issues, and positive youth development/strength-based approach preferred.
- Personal vehicle or access to a vehicle and proof of insurance.
- Valid Illinois Driver's license.
- No history of child abuse or neglect.
- Ability to pass background and drug screening.
Highlighted benefits:
- Provides full-time employees 2 times their salary in term life insurance at no additional cost.
- Reimburses gym memberships up to $20 per month to aid overall fitness and health.
- Offers 100% match up to 3% on retirement savings after 1 year of service.
- All employees start with an average of 17-25 days of PTO.
- Employee Referral Program gives employees an opportunity to receive up to $1500 for referring candidates.
- 9 paid holidays off.
Frequently cited statistics show that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Lawrence Hall encourages you to apply even if you do not meet all listed qualifications. We look forward to your application.
This position meets the FLSA requirements for Exempt.
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