Youth Behavioral Health Advocate

Position Summary:                                                                                                         

The Youth Behavioral Health Advocate provides trauma-informed therapeutic services to children and adolescents residing in the shelter or receiving services through the outreach center. This position supports children and adolescents who have experienced domestic violence, trauma, abuse, and family instability by providing individual counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention, emotional support, and advocacy services. This position will collaborate with shelter staff, caregivers, schools, and community partners to promote safety, emotional healing, resilience and healthy development.

Job Specifications/Qualifications:  (Min. knowledge, skills, and abilities required)          .   

Education/Training/Experience: 0 H.S. Degree   1  College Degree*  1 Certification/License*

•    Master’s degree in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy

•    Active licensure or license eligibility in the state of Florida preferred (LCSW, LMHC)

•    Two (2) years of experience working in the domestic violence field and Florida States Attorney’s Office preferred

•    Competency-based Core training (30 hours) within 90 days of employment required.

Technical or Administrative Knowledge:

•    Computer skills, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, are required.

Special Skills and Abilities:

•    Organizational and communication skills; ability to work collaboratively with others; valid driver’s license and transportation; demonstrated ability to work with people in crisis.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:                                                                                              

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations that do not cause an undue hardship on the company may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, as long as that would not hinder or prevent performance of duties, or be of a safety concern.

Physical Requirements:  

Lifting   

Operating motor vehicle   

Reaching above/below the waist

Pushing/pulling movements

Standing 

Kneeling 

Sitting 

Walking    

Bending/stooping

Climbing stairs / ladders

Typing 

Color / Depth perception

Fine hand & finger movements

Operate various equipment

Working Conditions and Schedules:

Exposed at times to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme heat, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.

Exposed to various noise levels (L= private office, M= showroom/service area, G= jackhammer/metal works/heavy equipment)

Working environment: non-private, varies from outside open parking lot, to showroom, to cubicle workspace, to adaptive office.

Available to works nights, weekends and holidays.

Interacting with co-workers, vendors, and customers.     

Office machines, phones, fax, computers, postage meter, etc. 

Job Functions, Unique Duties and Responsibilities:                                                 

• Follow the administrative guidelines and policies

• Maintain a community image consistent with the mission

• Engage in a relationship with the team, which is proactive, mutually beneficial, fosters teamwork, and advances the mission

• Exercise due care and stewardship of resources, including equipment, food, money, volunteer, and staff time

• Oversee the general physical environment for health, safety, and proper maintenance of facilities

Behavioral Health Advocacy 

• Provide a combination of individual and family counseling to children and adolescents impacted by domestic violence

• Develop, manage, and facilitate support groups as needed, focusing on children and adolescents

• Develop individualized treatment plans based on guests’ needs.

• Provide crisis intervention and emotional stabilization during shelter stays and transitional periods

• Collaborate with a caregiver and shelter staff to support healthy coping skills, emotional regulation, and 

  positive family interactions

• Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation on Osnium

• Participate in treatment team meetings

• Coordinate referrals and collaborate with medical providers, community agencies, and child welfare

• Facilitate therapeutic groups for children and adolescents

• Participate in ongoing trainings related to trauma, domestic violence and child development

Program Support

• 1% Regularly update team members regarding resource listings and the status of participants.  

• 1% Update participant files weekly.

• 1% Collect, organize, and enter data into appropriate formats for the WS database and other databases weekly. 

• 1% Develop self-knowledge of issues domestic violence, laws, policies, and case histories.

• 1% Participate in training opportunities including: the mandatory 24-hour DCF Core Training and 6 shadowing hours to be registered for confidentiality and privilege; maintain 17 hours of domestic violence training per year.  

• 1% Attend staff meetings and local community meetings.

Other 

• 1% Assist with other duties as assigned.