Family Advocacy Center Mental Health Counselor

Position Title: Family Advocacy Center Mental Health Counselor 

Classification: Exempt, Full-Time 

Reports To: Behavioral Health and Education Director 

Location: Bright Star Community Outreach Facilities

Company Overview

Over the course of our proud fourteen-year history, Bright Star Community Outreach has made significant contributions to the renewal of Chicago’s most vulnerable communities as a 501C3 nonprofit organization. Driven by our hope for change in this city and the families that call it home, Bright Star’s presence has been marked by effective programming, social development, and advocacy; particularly in the greater Bronzeville community of Chicago’s south side. 

Led by founder and CEO, Pastor Chris Harris, Sr., who grew up in the Bronzeville neighborhood where we are currently located, our strategy includes developing impactful community development initiatives aimed at facing our largest societal challenges: violence in our communities, poor economic opportunities, inadequate mental health services, affordable housing and education. These efforts are designed to strengthen local families and communities, as well as leverage our key partnerships with organizations and businesses that share our passion for seeing renewal in Chicago.

About BSCO’s Family Advocacy Center

Family Advocacy Centers provide support to parents to follow through on their goals that allow them to preserve and reunite their families. There are 38 Family Advocacy Centers (FACs) and nine satellite offices across the state operated by 28 service providers. FACs maintain a focused, holistic approach that builds on a family’s existing strengths.

BSCO’s F.A.C. provides general and clinical services, anger management and parenting classes, needs associated with workforce development and ongoing assistance for DCFS alumni and current clients (e.g.., clothing, transportation assistance, IDs, birth certificates, etc.). Our compassionate and professional counselors take a client-centered, strength-based approach to care. We utilize a variety of evidence based modalities and culturally relevant interventions tailored to the needs of our clients to support healthy individuals, families and communities. 

Job Summary

The mental health counselor works to maintain a caseload of 30 to 40 participants, providing individual, family, couples, and group clinical intervention. The population ranges from children to older adults. We receive most of our referrals from DCFS but can also receive up to 50% of our referrals from community sources. This provides a very diverse participant group with whom to engage. Clinicians are required to maintain assessments, treatment plans, and case notes. The caseload is hybrid, meaning clients are seen in the office, via telehealth, and in the community. Face-to-face engagement with staff and participants is a requirement. 

Responsibilities

• Maintain a caseload of 30 to 40 participants 
• Maintain assessments and treatment plans for all open cases 
• Manage communication between DCFS and BSCO for relevant cases on their caseload 
• Complete clinical case notes within 24 to 72 hours of engagement 
• Attend weekly clinical supervision with the clinical supervisor and weekly clinical meeting 
• Attend DCFS mandated trainings (approximately 3 annually)
• Maintain productivity requirement of 4 clinical hours per shift 
• Assist in building support for community-wide efforts and initiatives. 
• Support/manage volunteers and interns assigned to the team as applicable.
• Communicate and cooperate with staff from other programs as needed to ensure seamless service delivery to clients. 
• Refer to other teams in the department as needed 
• Conduct outreach and provide information to community residents regarding the services offered by Bright Star Community Outreach. 
• Participate in Bright Star Community Outreach's fundraising and public relations events and efforts as needed and to the extent that it does not interfere with other job duties. 
• Provide age-appropriate interaction with community residents and adhere to all agency guidelines and ethics regarding the treatment of residents and services. 

Administrative Responsibilities

• Follow the objectives of the program and understand the program's performance measures
• Collect and maintain program documentation and data. 
• Complete assessments, treatment plans, and case notes as applicable. 
• Be responsible for the safety and proper use of cell phones and other equipment.
• Respond to calls/requests from the community (municipalities, libraries, schools, etc.) regarding individuals and families wanting information about BSCO 
• Log activities and time as required by the organization and its funders. 
• Regularly attend team and organization meetings and trainings. 

Qualifications and Skills

• Must pass CPS Background check. 
• Currently in master's program or recent graduate for psychology, social work or related field
• Clinical license preferred (e.g., LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC, LICSW, LMHC), but not required
• Computer literacy, including knowledge of computer assessment tools, database systems, and Windows environment. Proficient in Excel, Outlook, and Word. 
• Ability to keep appointments punctually, be organized, demonstrate accountability, and follow through. 
• Openness to new ideas and skills and commitment to learning through reading and hands-on training. 
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. 
• Ability to problem-solve and make decisions in chaotic and/or stressful situations. 
• Strong interpersonal and direct communication skills. 

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• Community-based engagement in schools, as well as home visits and travel consistent with both 
• Ability to tolerate being outdoors in all weather for several hours. 
• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Competitive salary
• Life and disability insurance
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Paid holidays
• Access to industry conferences or workshops
• Company-sponsored social events or retreats
• Volunteer days or community engagement opportunities