Youth Justice Therapist
Applewood Centers
Summary
The Youth Justice Therapist provides intensive assessment and therapeutic services for difficult incarcerated youth within the assigned Ohio Department of Youth Services (ODYS) Correctional Facility. The Youth Justice Therapist works closely with ODYS staff, jurists and other court officials to ensure client treatment needs are addressed. The Youth Justice Therapist works with clients in the ODYS correctional facility providing assessment, treatment and making recommendations for ongoing services and therapy upon client's discharge from the facility. The Youth Justice Therapist will be using the ODYS system for documentation. ODYS will provide a task supervisor, ACI will provide a clinical supervisor. ACI and ODYS supervisors will collaborate to provide best oversite.
Job description
Job Summary
The Youth Justice Therapist provides intensive assessment and therapeutic services for difficult incarcerated youth within the assigned Ohio Department of Youth Services (ODYS) Correctional Facility. The Youth Justice Therapist works closely with ODYS staff, jurists and other court officials to ensure client treatment needs are addressed. The Youth Justice Therapist works with clients in the ODYS correctional facility providing assessment, treatment and making recommendations for ongoing services and therapy upon client's discharge from the facility. The Youth Justice Therapist will be using the ODYS system for documentation. ODYS will provide a task supervisor, ACI will provide a clinical supervisor. ACI and ODYS supervisors will collaborate to provide best oversite.
Essential Duties
- Provide high quality, detailed and in depth bio/psycho/social assessment for youth referred to program.
- Meet or exceed productivity targets as well as collect outcomes measures/data at case discharge.
- Gather information for ongoing treatment needs and goals and prepare detailed recommendations for clients upon discharge from the facility.
- Assess and develop treatment goals and interventions, implement interventions, and identify and targeting of barriers to treatment progress.
- Develop comprehensive, diagnostic case conceptualization as well as focused, measurable and achievable service plans that are consistent with the client's identified needs and cultural assessment-cultivating and maintaining professional alignment and engagement with families.
- Appropriately articulate and present clinical findings, therapeutic goals/targets, and recommendations to court officials/staff in a professional manner.
- Collaborate with ODYS staff to identify clinical interventions that best support youth in the correctional facility (i.e. safety planning, suicide watch protocols, mental health interventions, and linkage to stepdown programming).
- Facilitate individual, group and family therapy sessions for youth placed in the assigned ODYS Correctional Facility.
- Form and maintain collaborative working relationships with collateral professionals and/or agencies concerning individual cases.
- Develop and maintain the clinical record through timely and legible completion of assigned documentation according to applicable licensing and accreditation regulations and standards.
- Close cases in a timely manner, accurately completing aftercare plans and related paperwork, including treatment summaries, based on goal achievement and/or agency policy/procedure.
- Attend weekly team meetings and supervisions on time and as scheduled.
- Be open to feedback and suggestion from others, be prepared for meetings, actively participate as a supportive team member, and maintain a positive working relationship with co-workers.
- Actively and consistently participate in trainings.
- Has/Maintains a good on-time and attendance record.
- Set and maintain appropriate boundaries with incarcerated youth, family members and ODYS staff.
Other Duties
- Maintain awareness of industry trends and professional knowledge by attending agency training, maintaining continuing education standards and reviewing professional publications.
- Attend scheduled staff meetings, supervision, and on-going training as required.
- Maintain trainings, certifications and licensure must be kept current in accordance with applicable licensing and accreditation regulations and standards.
- Maintain necessary documentation and oversight of client clinical record.
- Respect the privacy of clients and hold in confidence all information obtained during the client’s treatment. All client-related documents should be handled in accordance with Agency guidelines on confidential material.
- Maintain high standards of ethical and professional conduct and adhere to Agency policies and procedures.
- Maintain appropriate clinical and professional boundaries with incarcerated youth, family members and ODYS facility staff.
- Other duties as assigned by management.
Requirements
- Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or Clinical Mental Health Counseling required
- Master's degree preferred
- Full-time position requires Minimum Master's degree in Social Work or Clinical Mental Health Counseling required
- Part-time - Valid Ohio LSW, LPC or MFT required
- LISW, LPCC or IMFT preferred
- Full-time - Valid Ohio LISW, LPCC or IMFT required
- Strong clinical skills including expertise in crisis intervention, diagnosis/diagnostic assessment, clinical service referrals, brief mental health counseling and motivational interviewing
- Possess skill, knowledge and abilities to perform the essential duties of their role; keeps knowledge up to date
- Demonstrate ability to perform job responsibilities with a high degree of initiative and independent judgment
- Demonstrate awareness, sensitivity and skills in working professionally with diverse individuals, groups and communities who represent various cultural and personal background and characteristics
- Communicate clearly using verbal, nonverbal, and written skills in a professional context; demonstrates clear understanding and use of professional language
- Adhere to professional values such as honesty, personal responsibility, and accountability; Applies ethical concepts within scope of work and adheres to Agency policies and procedures
- Function effectively as a member of a professional team that includes employees, clients and family members
- Recognize problems and responds appropriately; gathers information and sorts through it to identify and address root cause issues; makes timely decisions
- Demonstrate competence in utilizing Agency computer systems and software as required to perform essential job functions
- In lieu of Master’s degree, Bachelor’s degree with 2 or more years of experience providing therapy and/or assessments to youth plus valid Ohio LSW required
- A valid driver's license with approved driving record(less than 6 points), personal transportation and insurance, if required to drive on behalf of the agency
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- 24/7 EAP
- Paid parental leave
- Fertility/IVF support
- Pet insurance
- 50% CWRU MSW tuition discount
- Free supervision
- 403(b) with employer match
- Employer-paid life & LTD insurance
- Generous PTO
- Paid organizational holidays
Company overview
Applewood Centers is a comprehensive mental health care organization specializing in providing behavioral health services to children, adolescents, and families. As a leading healthcare provider in the mental health sector, the organization offers a wide range of therapeutic interventions and support services designed to address various psychological and emotional challenges. Their services typically include outpatient counseling, intensive treatment programs, family therapy, and community-based support systems. Applewood Centers focuses on creating individualized treatment plans that incorporate evidence-based practices to promote mental wellness and resilience. The organization plays a crucial role in the mental health care ecosystem by addressing the growing need for accessible and effective behavioral health services, particularly for youth populations. Their multidisciplinary approach combines clinical expertise with compassionate care to help individuals and families navigate mental health challenges and achieve improved quality of life.