One Hope United·Mount Vernon, Illinois
The IPS Counselor provides intensive, trauma-focused therapeutic interventions and case management to youth and caregivers in a community-based setting. They are responsible for conducting home visits, facilitating family sessions, and providing 24/7 crisis intervention support on a rotating basis.
IPS Counselor Under the assigned supervisor, the IPS Counselor will provide counseling, advocacy, and case management services to youth and their families during a 6-month intensive intervention period in a community-based setting. While in a Placement with caregivers, the Intensive Placement Stabilization (IPS Counselor will provide critical, intensive, trauma-focused therapeutic interventions to caregivers and youth in a non-traditional and flexible manner. Adapting to the family's availability and needs, per their school and work schedules. The IPS Counselor will utilize strengths-based and trauma-focused approaches in developing relationships, assessments, and treatment plans. As part of the Intensive Placement Stabilization Program, IPS Counselors support both youth and caregivers in strengthening their bond and communication and improving their sense of security and permanency. IPS works with both caregivers and children in weekly sessions, operating within the framework of Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) and other evidence-based modalities and frameworks. General Duties and Responsibilities
Reports to the Child Abuse Hotline as directed by the Mandated Reporter Act.
Will provide exceptional customer service to parents, foster caregivers, referring case agencies, and other team members.
Conducts frequent regional and all-state in-person and virtual team meetings with staff, referring case agency and community partners.
Participates in frequent agency management meetings and work groups.
Will maintain discretion, as entrusted with a client’s personal information and knowledge of their unique situation. This confidentiality extends to ensuring client data is secure.
Reports any exposure to communicable diseases.
Submits expense vouchers, renewed driver's licenses, and automobile insurance coverage on the due date.
Support the creation and maintenance of programmatic information in Microsoft Teams and on the SharePoint site.
Will assist with updating client demographic and other data in the IPS database.
Will ensure direct and indirect weekly filing of all IPS documents, notes, Mentoring, and FPSS documents in client files.
Provide on-call support after hours on a rotation with all IPS offices in Central, Southern, and Northern regions.
Provide on-site support to prevent placement disruption.
Facilitate placement needs of children with collaboration with the referring case agency (DCFS/POS).
Conduct home visits.
Maintain positive relationships with other agencies and community members as applicable.
Complete any necessary file documentation and required DCFS database tracking twice monthly.
Prepare documentation for court proceedings, as needed.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Provides support and stability services for up to 6 months to families referred
Caseloads are approximate 10-13: 1 ratio
The program operates 24/7
Position is required to be available Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 5 pm
Position requires sessions outside of normal office hours, and at times can be later evenings
Position requires rotation of the on-call calendar monthly to offer 24/7 coverage of program needs for crisis(typical schedules are 1 week a month)
Provides crisis intervention response, assessment, and follow-up services as deemed appropriate per the program plan.
Conduct an initial visit within 5 days of referral opening per contractual and programmatic expectations.
Provides crisis intervention in-home services in local coverage areas as appropriate to program requirements.
This position will require day and overnight travel for training opportunities, advocacy for youth and families in community meetings, or staffing and client sessions.
Provides active guidance/feedback during family contacts (e.g., sessions, crisis interventions, and other crisis-stability events).
Completion of intake, Mental Health Assessment, DCFS Extension and Discharge processes, and Treatment Planning as outlined in IPS programmatic and contractual expectations.
Diagnose and treat mental health disorders.
Facilitate sessions with individuals, groups, or families.
Demonstrate the ability to correctly identify emotions and to mirror regulated feelings in a way that promotes emotional and intellectual development (emotional intelligence).
Assists in integrating all services provided to the client by serving as a central point of communication among service components during the crisis and, if applicable, in follow-up.
Provides support and stability services for up to 6 months to families referred
We Invest in You!
Tuition assistance up to $2500 per year
Up to 4 weeks paid Vacation Days, up to 6 paid Personal Days, up to 5 paid Sick days annually, and a Mental Health Day.
Medical, dental, vision, 403b Retirement, flexible spending accounts, and health savings account.
Agency paid life and ADD up to $50K based on salary
Multiple Voluntary Supplemental plans for Employee, Spouse, and Child(ren)
Voluntary Legal Plans and Pet Insurance.
The agency paid long-term disability and short-term disability.
Career ladders, professional development, and promotion opportunities
One Hope United does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. One Hope United is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace. OHU participates in E-Verify. #INDBH
The role requires the ability to conduct mental health assessments, diagnose disorders, and maintain detailed client documentation in accordance with DCFS standards. Candidates must be available for flexible scheduling, including evenings and on-call rotations, and possess a valid driver's license with insurance.
Market context
Behavioral health positions in Illinois often draw steady interest because employers look for licensed or graduate-prepared candidates who can work in clinical, community, or care-coordination settings. This role is competitive because the required background is specific—either a master’s degree in a human services field or an active Illinois RN license, with behavioral health experience preferred. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your licensure, degree, and setting experience before applying.
