Behavioral Health Specialist, Social Work/Counselor III - Marvin Foote
State of Colorado, Centennial, CO, United States
This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Division of Youth Services Overview
The Division of Youth Services (DYS) provides a continuum of services for juveniles, including residential and non‑residential programs, juvenile parole, and the administration of the Colorado Youth Detention Continuum.
Summary of the Position
This position functions as a mental health counselor, providing mental health and case management services to committed and detained youth. Services include clinical assessment, monitoring medication, individual, group, family and milieu therapies, suicide risk assessment, report writing, and coordination with a multidisciplinary team.
Job Duties
Provide Treatment
Maintain a caseload and conduct individual, group, and family therapy sessions using evidence‑based treatment theories for adolescents.
Maintain a clear understanding of adolescent development and appropriate interventions.
Use theories relevant to the needs of the youth, considering age, ethnicity, culture, religion, and sexual issues to affect behavior change.
Document and assess the effectiveness of specific interventions toward program progression and youth stabilization.
Provide therapeutic services for populations with substance abuse, mental health issues, trauma histories, cognitive limitations, and specific services for sexually abusive or violent youth.
Use a strength‑based, holistic approach to therapy.
Collaborate with the medical team and psychiatrist regarding psychotropic medication assessment or continuation.
Collaborate with educational/vocational systems to ensure appropriate academic services.
Seek additional resources as necessary to best treat the youth based on their developmental and neurocognitive ability.
Provide therapy adapted to the youth’s abilities and needs, accounting for trauma, substance abuse, brain injury, and mental health disorders.
Support agency services of cognitive behavioral interventions, social learning theory, and motivational interviewing.
Engage family/caregivers in the stabilization and transition process.
Assess progress, barriers, and document all case management and therapeutic services in the Fusion Electronic Health Record system.
Follow Sanctuary/ROCK Program guidelines.
Facilitate Community Review Teams for Individual Growth and Change Plans.
Assessment and Treatment Planning
Address mental health and other needs identified, considering length of stay.
Review assessment data and develop therapeutic rapport with youth.
Engage parents/family members, guardians, and other agents for collateral information.
Monitor signs of serious mental illness per DSM‑5 and assess mental health status.
Complete brief mental health status exams.
Recommend alternate interventions for youth not responding positively.
Provide input on transition planning and services for successful reintegration.
Coordinate with YSSIII, client managers, and milieu staff to achieve program success.
Determine strengths‑based treatment goals and objectives for youth.
Select appropriate personnel to provide treatment and services per the plan.
Training and Consultation
Maintain knowledge of federal confidentiality regulations and all Colorado treatment rules.
Stay current on literature and emerging research in juvenile mental health.
Train facility staff in best practice treatment delivery approaches.
Participate in orientation, educational workshops, and other training to maintain competency.
Guide staff by modeling interventions and recommending practices.
Assist in case reviews of new youth and initial placement decisions.
Provide training and consultation at the local/agency level.
Maintain professional certifications and licensure.
Participate in own professional growth and continued training.
Engage in clinical supervision and maintain license renewals.
Provide input on milieu programming and the implementation of treatment goals.
Contribute to the development of additional treatment program options.
Documentation and Communication
Document treatment notes for all individual and group sessions in DAP format.
Ensure group documentation reflects each youth’s participation.
Identify appropriate information to record and the correct place to record it.
Determine appropriate parties to receive information on youth treatment and communication mode.
Qualifications
License and Experience
Current, valid Colorado license as Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC).
At least one year of experience with current valid licensure based on the work assigned to the position.
Preferred Qualifications
Relatable experience as a current or previous State of Colorado employee.
Conditions of Employment
Minimum age 21 with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
Full background and reference checks required.
State of Colorado residency at time of application and throughout employment.
Valid, non‑restricted Colorado Driver’s License.
Completion of DYS Pre‑service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO) and mandatory annual training in all subject areas.
Benefits
Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans.
Medical and dental health plans.
Employer‑supplemented Health Savings Account.
Paid life insurance.
Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage.
11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave.
State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center.
Employee Wellness program.
Excellent work‑life programs such as flexible schedules, training and more.
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions.
Some positions may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
ADA Accommodations
CDHS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process.
EEO Statement
The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL” of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Candidates from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities are encouraged to apply. The State of Colorado provides employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status. Preference is given to military veterans.
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Division of Youth Services Overview
The Division of Youth Services (DYS) provides a continuum of services for juveniles, including residential and non‑residential programs, juvenile parole, and the administration of the Colorado Youth Detention Continuum.
Summary of the Position
This position functions as a mental health counselor, providing mental health and case management services to committed and detained youth. Services include clinical assessment, monitoring medication, individual, group, family and milieu therapies, suicide risk assessment, report writing, and coordination with a multidisciplinary team.
Job Duties
Provide Treatment
Maintain a caseload and conduct individual, group, and family therapy sessions using evidence‑based treatment theories for adolescents.
Maintain a clear understanding of adolescent development and appropriate interventions.
Use theories relevant to the needs of the youth, considering age, ethnicity, culture, religion, and sexual issues to affect behavior change.
Document and assess the effectiveness of specific interventions toward program progression and youth stabilization.
Provide therapeutic services for populations with substance abuse, mental health issues, trauma histories, cognitive limitations, and specific services for sexually abusive or violent youth.
Use a strength‑based, holistic approach to therapy.
Collaborate with the medical team and psychiatrist regarding psychotropic medication assessment or continuation.
Collaborate with educational/vocational systems to ensure appropriate academic services.
Seek additional resources as necessary to best treat the youth based on their developmental and neurocognitive ability.
Provide therapy adapted to the youth’s abilities and needs, accounting for trauma, substance abuse, brain injury, and mental health disorders.
Support agency services of cognitive behavioral interventions, social learning theory, and motivational interviewing.
Engage family/caregivers in the stabilization and transition process.
Assess progress, barriers, and document all case management and therapeutic services in the Fusion Electronic Health Record system.
Follow Sanctuary/ROCK Program guidelines.
Facilitate Community Review Teams for Individual Growth and Change Plans.
Assessment and Treatment Planning
Address mental health and other needs identified, considering length of stay.
Review assessment data and develop therapeutic rapport with youth.
Engage parents/family members, guardians, and other agents for collateral information.
Monitor signs of serious mental illness per DSM‑5 and assess mental health status.
Complete brief mental health status exams.
Recommend alternate interventions for youth not responding positively.
Provide input on transition planning and services for successful reintegration.
Coordinate with YSSIII, client managers, and milieu staff to achieve program success.
Determine strengths‑based treatment goals and objectives for youth.
Select appropriate personnel to provide treatment and services per the plan.
Training and Consultation
Maintain knowledge of federal confidentiality regulations and all Colorado treatment rules.
Stay current on literature and emerging research in juvenile mental health.
Train facility staff in best practice treatment delivery approaches.
Participate in orientation, educational workshops, and other training to maintain competency.
Guide staff by modeling interventions and recommending practices.
Assist in case reviews of new youth and initial placement decisions.
Provide training and consultation at the local/agency level.
Maintain professional certifications and licensure.
Participate in own professional growth and continued training.
Engage in clinical supervision and maintain license renewals.
Provide input on milieu programming and the implementation of treatment goals.
Contribute to the development of additional treatment program options.
Documentation and Communication
Document treatment notes for all individual and group sessions in DAP format.
Ensure group documentation reflects each youth’s participation.
Identify appropriate information to record and the correct place to record it.
Determine appropriate parties to receive information on youth treatment and communication mode.
Qualifications
License and Experience
Current, valid Colorado license as Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC).
At least one year of experience with current valid licensure based on the work assigned to the position.
Preferred Qualifications
Relatable experience as a current or previous State of Colorado employee.
Conditions of Employment
Minimum age 21 with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
Full background and reference checks required.
State of Colorado residency at time of application and throughout employment.
Valid, non‑restricted Colorado Driver’s License.
Completion of DYS Pre‑service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO) and mandatory annual training in all subject areas.
Benefits
Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans.
Medical and dental health plans.
Employer‑supplemented Health Savings Account.
Paid life insurance.
Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage.
11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave.
State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center.
Employee Wellness program.
Excellent work‑life programs such as flexible schedules, training and more.
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions.
Some positions may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
ADA Accommodations
CDHS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process.
EEO Statement
The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL” of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Candidates from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities are encouraged to apply. The State of Colorado provides employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status. Preference is given to military veterans.
#J-18808-Ljbffr