It is the mission of the Division of Youth Services (DYS) to effectively build skills and competencies of youth to become responsible citizens. The Social Work series and other identified Behavioral Health Specialists employed by the facility are responsible for providing evidenced based and research supported therapeutic intervention services to youth committed and detained with the Division of Youth Services. Behavioral Health Specialists are expected to provide for the therapeutic care of and support opportunities for growth and change for youth and their caregivers, to ensure healthy and successful reintegration back into our communities. These positions maintain and support the DYS treatment model and Sanctuary principles with transition staff, client management, mental health services, medical, special education, security staff and administration as needed. As a Behavioral Health Specialist within our facility, they are expected to remain current on literature and research in the field, especially as relates to emerging practices with complex mental health populations and behavioral and sensory interventions.
This position functions as a mental health counselor. This position provides mental health and case management services to committed and detained youth in the Division of Youth Services. Services to be provided include: clinical assessment (recognizing signs and symptoms of specific DSM-5 diagnosis, identifying youth in need of additional assessment interventions such as neurological testing and medication evaluation), monitoring medication effectiveness in conjunction with the facility psychiatrist, individual, group, family and milieu therapies, suicide risk assessment and monitoring, report writing, and mental health service coordination with a Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) of experts.
This position exists to provide mental health/crisis management services for a DYS detained / committed youth. DYS 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 if applicable family services to this population. This position uses the approved DYS approved Evidence Based Curricula in working with this population
Maintains a caseload and will provide oversight of Behavioral Health Specialists assigned to individual youth.
Conducts individual, group, and family therapeutic interventions using evidence-based treatment theories and curricula.
Provides counseling in accordance with training and expertise gained through specific training and knowledge of DORA standards and the Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health (OCFMH) expectations.
Therapeutic intervention service needs include substance use, psychoeducation, mental health issues, trauma histories, cognitive limitations, sensory integration, and offense specific services for sexually abusive or violent youth.
Treatment is provided using the DYS treatment model. Use of behavioral interventions, sensory integration and modalities, CBT, and Motivational Interviewing techniques with youth are used. Interpret treatment issues, needs, expectations, and changes in behavior for residents and families.
Treatment is provided using strengths-based approach and holistic manner.
Maintains a clear understanding of adolescent development, appropriate interventions for this population, and developmental needs.
Uses theories relevant to the needs of the youth and their individual history, considering their age, ethnic, cultural, religious and sexual issues to affect behavior change. Interpret treatment issues, problems, expectation, and changes in behavior for residents and families.
Document and assess the effectiveness of specific interventions toward meeting the objectives and goals of the treatment plan. Treatment - incorporates and addresses the youth’s risk, needs and protective factors and how criminal conduct, trauma histories, substance abuse and mental health issues are related. Collaborate with the medical team and psychiatrist regarding psychotropic medication use in treatment and collaborate with primary BHS on assessing needs for medication if appropriate.
Behavioral health services are relevant to the needs of the youth and the individual needs and protective factors, when identified, considering their age, ethnic, cultural, religious and sexual issues to affect behavior change and the reduction of substance abuse activity and symptoms in the individual and family. Provides therapeutic services using a strength based approach and holistic manner.
Collaborate with medical team and psychiatrist regarding psychotropic medication assessment or continuation to aid in youth stability.
Collaborate with educational/vocational systems to ensure appropriate academic services are provided. Seek out additional resources as necessary to ensure the best approach to treating the youth based on their developmental and neurocognitive ability.
Provide therapy in a manner that is consistent with the youth’s ability, taking into account any necessary modification needed as a result of trauma, substance abuse, brain injury and mental health disorders. Support agency services of cognitive behavioral based interventions, social learning theory, and motivational interviewing.
Position actively engages family/caregivers in the process of stabilizing and transitioning youth to placement.
Assess progress, barriers to progress, document all case management and therapeutic services in the Electronic Health Record system.
Facilitate Collaborative Review Teams (CRT) as needed for Individual Growth and Change Plans (IGCP) and other interventions as they are developed.
Determine appropriate interventions for youth based on assessment data and youth treatment progress
Determine appropriate transition plan and needs for youth.
Determine whether there is a need for outside referrals or additional treatment services for youth.
This position addresses mental health and other needs identified, taking into consideration the estimated length of stay.
Review assessment data, when completed, and recommendations with youth, gather additional historical information from youth, develop therapeutic rapport, ensure the youth is engaged in a supportive and educative manner, that confidentiality is maximized and problematic symptoms are thoroughly evaluated and handled in a sensitive and safe manner.
Engage parents/family members, significant others, guardians and referring agents to interview and obtain relevant collateral and supportive data to enhance the understanding and dynamics of the youth’s situation.
This position recognizes signs and symptoms of serious mental illness (per DSM-5) standards), exacerbation of symptoms, decompensation or improvement of mental health status is imperative for monitoring each youth’s progress.
An ability to complete a brief mental health status exam is expected.
This position places an emphasis on, making recommendations, and developing alternate interventions for youth not responding positively to programming. Knowledge of suicide risk indicators is required, with ability to offer on-going suicide risk assessments of youth.
Providing input in conjunction with other transition specialists to transition planning and services to aid in successful reintegration of youth into the community. Coordination with YSSIII, Client Managers and milieu staff in the implementation of milieu interventions in order to achieve program success. Collaborate with client manager and MDT initial MDT staffing when needed. Refer to psychiatrists as needed.
Determine appropriate, strengths-based treatment goals and objectives for youth.
Determine appropriate individuals to provide treatment and other services to youth per treatment plan.
This position has a thorough knowledge of the federal confidentiality regulations 42 C.F.R. Part 2 and HIPAA, and all Colorado Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division Rules for treatment practice.
Takes responsibility for being current on literature and emerging research in the best practices of treating juvenile mental health, substance abuse issues and co-occurring disorders with a complex population.
Trains others in the facility in best practice treatment delivery approaches.
Participates in orientation, educational workshops, mental health, co-occurring disorders, and substance abuse discipline meetings, and trainings to assure and maintain competency in the provision of evidence-based substance abuse treatment services.
This position guides staff by modeling interventions, recommending practices and resident assignments that may be implemented.
Participates in initial case reviews of all new youth, assists in group placement, and assists in case consultation.
Provides trainings and consultation on a local/agency level. Is responsible for maintaining all professional certifications and licensure.
Actively participates in own professional growth and continued trainings, research and CEU’s. Participates in clinical supervision with the clinical director.
Participates in supervision to remain in good standing for license renewals. Participates in treatment team meetings and briefings.
Provide input on decisions around milieu programming.
Provide input on implementation of treatment goals and objectives within the milieu.
Provide input in the development of additional treatment program options.