ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Reports directly to the Educational Program Director in Lawrence Hall's Therapeutic Day School. Supervises a team of Youth and Milieu Stabilizations Workers (YMSW) who work to support the youth in the Therapeutic Days School (TDS) and Child and Family Treatment Center (CFTC). Support a therapeutic milieu/classroom to encourage healing and hope for youth. Coach peers in utilizing Therapeutic Crisis Intervention techniques with the goal of avoiding physical restraint, time out of placement or police contact. Proactively enhance the elements of a therapeutic milieu to avoid youth reaching the crisis stage and return youth safely to baseline. Implement trauma-informed and restorative practices to support youth in learning new ways to cope with stress. Work collaboratively with school and residential staff to proactively assign YMSW to provide coverage, support successful transitions from school, and prevent potential crisis situations. Is a certified Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Trainer. Effectively implements verbal de-escalation and physical intervention. The use of intervention skills requires frequent kneeling and return to standing position without assistance. Utilizes effective verbal and written communication as well as computer skills. Maintains flexibility to adjust work schedule including some weekend hours according to the needs of the program. Has 24/7 on-call responsibilities.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Sets a positive example for employees, is a role model. Supports and trains employees on appropriate strategies using the 5 S's and therapeutic de-escalation skills
• Promotes professional growth in employees, fostering strengths and redirecting efforts as necessary
• Ensure employees attend training related to being trauma informed-at least two every twelve months
• Mediate personnel conflicts with respect and dignity
• Understand the impact of secondary trauma and workplace stress and use strategies to prevent, minimize and/or help employees heal and recover.
• Ensure assessment tools used to inform practice and treatment include screens for trauma exposure
• Maintain fidelity of trauma focused interventions and treatment modalities
• Holds regular (at least bi-weekly), documented supervision of supervisees
• Actively involved in planning and delivery of training related to own area of expertise and needs of programs supervised
• Uses active and reflective listening skills and affirmations to demonstrate respect and empathy, avoiding negative and derogatory labels that foster disrespect
• Understand that behaviors, responses, attitudes, and emotions are a collection of survival skills often developed in response to traumatic experiences
• Maintain confidentiality of employees, volunteers, and program participants to provide a safe environment
• Attend at least two trainings related to being trauma informed in a twelve-month period
• Ability to work effectively with program participants and family members, employees and vendors in a culturally diverse environment to support healing and recovery
• Maintains electronic calendar to provide accounting for daily activities and provides permissions for viewing to the appropriate individuals
• Responds immediately to calls from milieu and school staff regarding residents in crisis.
• Supports the functions of the TDS and CFTC.
• Works collaboratively with TDS and CFTC staff to create a therapeutic milieu and classroom.
• Models effective use of TCI skills and coaches peers in using effective TCI skills and avoiding engagement in conflict cycles.
• Participates in regular consultation meetings with TCI Trainers.
• Meeting regularly with the TDS and CFTC leadership teams.
• Provides timely and accurate documentation of services
• Provides oversight of the YMSW team's compliance with expectations and outcomes.
• Assist in implementation of youth's Individual Education Plan (IEP) and treatment goals.
• Attend school or milieu treatment team meetings to discuss youth's treatment goals and services.
• Participates in the development and implementation of continuous quality improvement activities as assigned.
• Support a therapeutic and restorative milieu/classroom
• Observe direct service staff on the unit interacting with youth, documenting areas of strength and areas for improvement.
• Review UIR /SER, Physical Restraint and Critical Incident reports and conduct documented debriefing sessions and action planning for areas of improvement.
• Coaches, trains, and facilitates restorative justice practices and TCI concepts
• Provide ratio coverage, youth transportation, and shadowing in the community as needed.
  

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree preferred with three years' working experience with youth in a therapeutic days school or residential treatment center or a High School Diploma with a minimum of five years working experience with youth in a therapeutic days school or residential treatment center.
• Certified Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Trainer or ability to obtain this certification within 6 months of hire.
• Advanced skills with mediation/conflict management and restorative justice
• Ability to demonstrate capacity for working effectively with others.
• Knowledge of childhood trauma and prior experience working in settings with youth and families that have been exposed to trauma or experiencing traumatic stress preferred
• Knowledge of youth development, adolescent issues, positive youth development/strengths-based approach preferred
• Personal vehicle or access to vehicle and proof of insurance
• Valid Illinois Driver's license
• No history of child abuse or neglect
  

This position meets the FLSA requirements for Exempt.