Counselor, Behavioral Health Licensed

Job Summary:

• Provides behavioral health counseling services under the direction of the Director of Early Childhood Education.
• Responsible for the coordination and implementation of the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) which includes child and family behavioral health services (counseling to children, parents, and families); and training of teachers and leadership staff in the areas of classroom and behavioral management that impact parent support and involvement.
• The framework of information and consultation comes from the families in the DePaul Children’s Center Program that have been identified as People with Lived Experience.  

• The Counselor-Behavioral Health Specialist is a key member of a multidisciplinary team in the education of young children with emotional, behavioral and learning disabilities. 
• In conjunction with the DePaul Children’s Center team, she/he develops and implements individualized behavioral plans for children (6 weeks – 5 years) to help them build skills.  
• Provides coaching and modeling to staff to ensure that all supports are followed. 
• Provides 1:1 support to children to help them stabilize and increase their success in an early childhood classroom. 
• The Behavioral Specialist tracks and monitors data on children’s progress to help inform social-emotional development planning.
• The Behavioral Specialist’s goal is to enhance children’s social, emotional, and behavioral functioning based on SDOH data provided by People with Lived Experience.  
• The Behavioral Specialist will work in accordance with standards set forth by Texas State licensing, School Readiness, and NAEYC Accreditation. 
• Be a positive role model for children, parents, and co-workers. 
• Participate in program and/or community family/child events. 
• The Behavioral Specialist works with linguistically and culturally diverse populations and classroom environments are representative of that diversity. 
• Conducts patient assessments and establishes therapy treatment goals.
• Administers individual and group therapy. Maintains thorough and confidential records of observations.
• Evaluates progress and effectiveness of therapy interventions.
• Provides patient with information regarding resources and therapeutic activities in the community.
• Works directly with the patient, family, physician and community providers to ensure active and collaborate care from the initiation of treatment to the time of discharge.
• Provides assessment, social services and counseling to patients, their families and staff in relation to social, psychological, financial and family situations including discharge planning. Provides individual, group and family psychotherapy. Documents therapies and treatment. Assists with direct patient care as needed.
• Initiates and conducts educational programs related to children’s mental health and their social-emotional development for staff as needed. Markets and provides community education on therapeutic services. Develops and maintains good working relationships with outside community health and social agencies and reaches out to the community to develop new resources for meeting patient needs. Conducts training programs with outside organizations (specifically the Southside Collaborative) regarding mental health.
• Functions as lead therapist regarding trauma and personality disorders impacted by SDOH, providing clinical consultation to staff and psychiatrist. Provides clinical consultation to staff about mental health issues for various patient populations, including children and families. Interprets and communicates necessary information regarding patients and families including social history information to staff and physicians. 
• Coordinates planning, makes recommendations and facilitates decision-making concerning individual patient care plans especially regarding the classroom/home situation impacted by SDOH. Plans treatments and reviews physician cases. Interacts with private pay home health pediatric providers and insurance companies regarding mental health/disability referrals/claims and provides insurance and billing consultation, support, and education to other staff as needed.
• Organizes and coordinates the planning and implementation of age appropriate Behavior Support Plans at a site level.
• In collaboration with the Director, ensures that all classrooms have a healthy, safe, and conducive learning environment by making periodic visits. Supports and provides supervision and the implementation of various therapeutic techniques.
• Conduct observations of children in various settings to gather information.
• Collects and analyzes data related to children’s functioning to inform treatment planning.
• Attend and participate in all Behavior Support Plan meetings with families, staff and outside agencies, to include proper documentation.
• Demonstrate techniques that enhance problem solving abilities and enable growth and maturity.
• Understand and relay relevant information to the team.
• Record and document critical information in a timely matter.
• Communicate with parents/guardians, coworkers, and external professionals in a professional and timely matter.
• Interact with children in a positive, nurturing, therapeutic manner.
• Work with the Director and Lead Teachers to ensure that all learning plans include individualized supports for children with challenging behaviors or disabilities.
• Monitor children’s progress to ensure activities are meeting the child’s educational and developmental needs.
• Become familiar with and adhere to all Ascension DePaul Services and DePaul Children’s Center policies, including, Positive Guidance Policy and Mandated Reporter policies and process.
• Organizes and coordinates the implementation of all Behavior Support plans and support families and staff as they work with the child.
• Monitor the relevant and consistent application of defined DePaul Children’s Center statements, policies and procedures regarding Mental Health resources.
• Provide accurate and timely feedback and coaching to staff when observing students in the classroom. 
• Provide input to and work with the Director to offer educational classes on Mental Health issues for performance and professional development.   
• Provide guidance and assistance to staff in the delivery of high-quality programs and services.
• Assist in planning and providing effective staff development activities related to children’s social-emotional development.
• Support the needs of teachers and develop credible and trusting relationships.
• Clearly and effectively communicate information to teachers.
• Encourage staff, children, and families to meet the expectations of the program.
• Shares views in a tactful way.
• Demonstrates diplomacy by approaching others about sensitive issues in non-threatening ways and fosters an environment conducive to open and transparent communication.
• Attends trainings, seminars, and does research to keep up with the latest information and best practices within the field.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned: 
  • Attend staff, personnel, and professional development meetings assigned, including, but not limited to, DePaul Children’s Center staff meetings.
  • Reliably meet deadlines.
  • Manages time and attendance well.
  • Follows the organization’s policies and procedures.
  • Follows safety policies, procedures, and regulations.
  • Follows legal and ethical standards related to job responsibilities.
  • Demonstrates proficiency in the necessary common and technical knowledge areas required for the position.
  • Support co-workers and work with diverse teams utilizing best practices to inspire better thinking and solutions.
  • Maintain and care for supplies and equipment of Ascension DePaul Services.
  • Willingness to work a flexible schedule in accordance with the needs of the center.
  • Accept other responsibilities and projects as assigned.

Complexity of Work:

Personal Protective Equipment:

Minimum Qualifications Licensure / Certification / Registration:

• Required Credential(s):
  • One of the following:
    • Clinical Counselor obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
    • Counselor credentialed from the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
    • Psychology obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
    • Social Worker specializing in Clinical Practice obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
    • Social Worker credentialed from the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date.
• Preferred Credential(s)
  • Bilingual in Spanish and English
  • BLS Provider credentialed from the American Heart Association (AHA).

Education:

Work Experience:

• Must have one year’s experience working therapeutically with children as young as 6 weeks to 5 years of age.
• Experienced in floor time/play therapy, and trauma informed care models of therapy.
• Must have experience working therapeutically with: developmentally delayed/special needs children, children diagnosed with a variety of mental health/medical conditions, and with challenging behaviors in the classroom environment, small groups, and in private settings.

Competencies: