Youth Justice Therapist

Applewood Centers is a private, nonprofit agency providing mental health services, social services and education to children, adolescents and families living in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties. Dedicated to addressing a variety of behavioral, emotional and learning problems, we provide a continuum of care from outpatient counseling to residential treatment.

Position Summary: It has been estimated that nearly 70% of children currently involved in the Juvenile Justice System experience psychological issues or distress. We have been working within this setting since January of 2016 and in 2020, 76% of the youth seen by Applewood mental health providers had improved behavioral and emotional symptomology during their stay within the facility.  We are passionate about this work and are currently seeking qualified mental health professionals to help us continue to address this issue within the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center. 

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 Cuyahoga Hills 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.
• Facilitate individual, group and family therapy sessions for youth placed in the Cuyahoga Hills Correctional Facility.
• Has/Maintains a good on-time and attendance record.
• Set and maintain appropriate boundaries with incarcerated youth, family members and ODYS staff.

• 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.

• Education: Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or Clinical Mental Health Counseling required. Master's degree preferred.
• Licensure:  Valid Ohio LSW, LPC or MFT required. LISW, LPCC or IMFT preferred.
• Skills/Competencies: Strong clinical skills including expertise in crisis intervention, diagnosis/diagnostic assessment, clinical service referrals, brief mental health counseling and motivational interviewing. 
• Core Expertise: Possess skill, knowledge and abilities to perform the essential duties of their role; keeps knowledge up to date.
• Independent Judgment: Demonstrate ability to perform job responsibilities with a high degree of initiative and independent judgment.
• Cultural Competency: Demonstrate awareness, sensitivity and skills in working professionally with diverse individuals, groups and communities who represent various cultural and personal background and characteristics.
• Interpersonal Communication: Communicate clearly using verbal, nonverbal, and written skills in a professional context; demonstrates clear understanding and use of professional language.
• Professional & Ethical Conduct: 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.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Function effectively as a member of a professional team that includes employees, clients and family members.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making: Recognize problems and responds appropriately; gathers information and sorts through it to identify and address root cause issues; makes timely decisions.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrate competence in utilizing Agency computer systems and software as required to perform essential job functions
• Experience:  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.
• Other: 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:

At Applewood, we prioritize our employees and their wellbeing. We provide competitive benefit options to our employees and their families, including domestic partners.

Our offerings include:

• Comprehensive health and Rx plans, including a flat rate ($5, $10, $15) option.
• Wellness program including free preventative care
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• 50% tuition reduction at Case Western Reserve University for the MNO and MSW programs
•  403(b) retirement plan with an employer match
• Pet insurance
• Employer paid life insurance and long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• Support for continuing education and credential renewal
• Ancillary benefits including: dental, vision, voluntary life, short term disability, hospital indemnity, accident, critical illness
• Flexible Spending Account for Health and Dependent Care

Applewood Centers, Inc. (“Applewood”) is a private, nonprofit agency providing mental health services, social services and education to children, adolescents and families living in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties. Dedicated to addressing a variety of behavioral, emotional and learning problems, we provide a continuum of care from outpatient counseling to residential treatment. Applewood is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applewood’s policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Applewood also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.