Per Diem Child and Family Counselor
New Directions Youth & Family Services·City of Lockport, New York
New Directions Youth & Family Services·City of Lockport, New York
Provide in-home and community-based therapeutic interventions and functional supports to Medicaid-enrolled youth and their families. Responsibilities include delivering trauma-informed counseling, collaborating with community partners, and maintaining accurate electronic case records.
The Child and Family Counselor provides in-home and community-based services to Medicaid enrolled youth ages 0-21 under the Medicaid State Plan Service Community Psychiatric Supports and Treatment (CPST). CPST is a multi-component service that consists of therapeutic interventions such as counseling, as well as functional supports. Activities provided under CPST are intended to assist the child/youth and family/caregivers to achieve stability and functional improvement in daily living, personal recovery and/or resilience, family and interpersonal relationships in school and community integration.
Department New Directions’ Children and Family Treatment and Support Services (CFTSS) provide individualized, strength-based, and trauma-informed care to children and families, offering in-home and community-based interventions that promote healing, stability, and wellness.
Agency New Directions is an equal opportunity employer committed to championing the principles of anti-racism, justice, and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds, for all positions, who will uphold our values and contribute to our mission. We aim to have a leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.
Compensation $45.00 per hour for billable service hours $16.00 per hour for administrative hours Hours/Schedule Per Diem Flexible schedule Location Niagara County
Professional Development Opportunities New Directions invests in developing future leaders through training opportunities, supervision, and continuing education support.
Deliver trauma-informed, individualized services based on the child’s identified strengths and needs. Administer appropriate identified assessments in the context of the child/youth self-identified needs, goals, and ethnic, religious, and cultural identities. Educate child/youth, family and collaterals on strategies and treatment options supportive to the youth’s needs. Assist the child/youth, family and collaterals with identifying strengths, needs, resources, and supports to improve functioning. Provide restoration, rehabilitation, and support to develop skills necessary to meet the child’s goals. Provide Individual, family and relationship-based counseling, supportive counseling, solution-focused interventions, and emotional/behavioral management. Assist the child/youth with effectively responding to or avoiding identified precursors or triggers that would risk their remaining in a natural community location. Assist families with post-crisis management to support stabilization in the home and community environment.
Collaborate with formal systems, service providers and informal networks involved with the youth and family in a mutli-disciplinary team format. Maintain a working knowledge of appropriate community resources for linkage and referral. Attend case related conferences.
Utilize New Directions electronic case recording system for assessment, service planning, progress notes, and outcome monitoring purposes. Maintain accurate and timely case records, including progress notes and tracking mechanisms, electronically and in each client’s file. Keep all client and family information, verbal and written, confidential. Adhere to all Medicaid requirements for billing and documentation.
Attend all mandatory in-service trainings as per NDYFS policy and OMH requirements.
Participate in regular supervision (per New Directions policy and procedure).
Maintain a flexible schedule based around client availability, including evenings. Primary hours of service delivery are after school and evenings.
Adhere to agency and department policies and procedures.
Utilize normative culture.
Perform all other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor.
Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
New Directions Youth & Family Services, Inc is an equal opportunity employer.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable persons with disabilities to perform essential functions.
1.
Ability to work effectively with clients, families, staff and community contacts from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
2.
Ability to work effectively with children/youth with behavioral, emotional and/or mental health challenges and their families.
3.
Ability to accept supervision and perform as part of a team.
4.
Ability to be flexible and adapt to change.
5.
Must have a valid driver’s license, adequate auto insurance and meet the criteria for driving set forth in the New Directions Driver’s License policy and Auto Insurance policy.
6.
Ability to pass annual physical for Category 1 job classification in accordance with New Directions Employee Health policy.
7.
Must comply with Agency safety standards and be responsible for own actions and conduct concerning safety and healthy working conditions.
Bachelor’s degree in a human services field plus two years of related experience OR Registered Professional Nurse plus one year of experience OR Master’s degree in a human services field plus one year of related experience We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleagues develop these preferred skills. We strongly encourage those who are passionate about fostering a diverse, inclusive and equitable human service organization to apply.
Market context
Behavioral health roles in New York are often in steady demand, especially for clinicians who can support diverse age groups and handle assessments or admissions. These positions can be competitive because employers commonly look for independent licensure, while also considering associate-level candidates with clear growth toward full licensure. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your licensure status and assessment experience before applying.
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