Job Description
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 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 Description of Job You are required to work at your assigned work location during your scheduled work times. Shift schedule may vary, typical shift is M-F 9am-5pm. Please note: Work arrangements are subject to change at any time. Summary of Work Unit: This work unit exists to provide clinical mental health services to committed treatment level youth and their families, in a secure facility. It provides individual, family and group services in support of and in alignment with the Division of Youth Services (DYS) strategic plan and 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 complex youth Summary of the position: This position exists to provide mental health/crisis management services for a caseload of DYS committed youth. DYS committed youth often have behavioral and/or psychiatric problems resulting from trauma-related issues such as neglect, abuse, or severe family problems. This position provides individual, group and family services to this population. This position uses Evidence Based Curricula in working with this population. It provides approved treatment services to youth who have engaged in delinquent behaviors, in a secure state operated treatment facility. This position provides treatment planning, individual, family and group counseling, ongoing assessment, case management, record keeping, and service coordination in conjunction with a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) responsible for the overall treatment, supervision and transition of the youth. These youth often have behavioral and psychiatric issues resulting from trauma related exposure such as neglect, abuse or severe family problems. This position completes an integrated and comprehensive strength-based treatment plan and provides expertise in the area of mental health, co-occurring, special needs and family issues. This position utilizes the Colorado Juvenile Risk Assessment and other validated assessment tools to address criminogenic risk factors and what is driving underlying behavior by using a strength-based approach and a youth’s protective factors and resources. This position utilizes a case conceptualization model which gathers the facts about the youth, determines needs, identifies strengths and develops treatment plans. Training and consultation to staff in regard to treatment and milieu interventions specific to juveniles who have complex mental health needs is also a responsibility along with the development and implementation of transition plans in coordination with the multidisciplinary team of client manager, family, youth facility staff and community programs. This position takes a lead role on the clinical team in the unit, assists in conducting in service trainings and communicates youth’s needs to milieu staff. Behavioral Health Specialists will utilize Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral therapy, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports and the Sanctuary model, in their work with youth and families. Job Duties: Assessment and Tre