Recreation Therapist - CARES - Jackson, MS

Founded in 1912 as an adoption agency, Canopy Children's Solutions is Mississippi’s most comprehensive nonprofit provider of children’s behavioral health, educational, and family support solutions. Canopy employs a diverse group of mission-driven individuals committed to honoring the voice of Mississippi children and families. Being an integral part of the Canopy team involves committing to the Core Values that drive our organization forward:

• The voice of our children and families always comes first
• Relationships matter and our differences make us stronger
• We take great joy in service to others
• Our families and communities deserves our very best

Canopy has been designated a Great Place to Work® for the fifth consecutive year, and is one of only eight companies in Mississippi to qualify for this certification in 2024-2025. Canopy’s employees are charged with building a healthy work culture within their teams, that focus on trust, and the collective goal of helping kids thrive and families to overcome extraordinary challenges.  

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for all eligible full-time employees. Benefits include, but are not limited to: 

• Competitive Compensation
• 403b Retirement Plan with Match
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• PTO/Vacation
• Employee Wellness Program and Counseling Services

Recreation Therapist:

• Recreation Therapist is responsible for the ongoing development, implementation, and evaluation of all therapeutic recreation
  services for the CARES Center.
• The Recreation Therapist researches trends and assesses the interests of individuals served, skills, and leisure/recreational needs based on observation, interview, and activity tasks.
• He/she uses professional knowledge and judgment to establish appropriate therapeutic recreation goals for each youth.
• Recreation therapist works with clinical and residential staff to plan, organize and facilitate group recreation therapy sessions.

Job Responsibilities:

Recreation Therapy Services:

• Provides direct recreational therapy for CARES youth. o Plan, monitor, and implement a monthly plan of therapeutic recreation for youth in the program.
• Coordinate recreation therapy schedules for youth with residential leads to ensure sessions are able to be facilitated for residential youth.
• Develops and establishes recreational programs of a therapeutic nature suited to the physical and mental capabilities of CARES youth.
• Adapts calisthenics, competitive games, and other organized recreational activities to youths’ needs and abilities. o Ensure that recreational activities are aligned with the CARES clinical model.
• Adds to the individualized treatment plan and provides input as needed by attending the Child and Family Team Meetings.
• Report to the Child and Family Treatment Team the utilization of and benefit from Activity Therapy by individuals served. o Completes assessments during the intake process.

Administrative:

•  Complete an activity assessment on each new admission within five days.
• Complete Hope Screener within 5 days of admission and 5 days of graduation. o Maintains progress notes and individual records of each youth's participation in therapeutic recreation activities.
• Attend weekly staff meetings (e.g., schedules meetings, program meetings, weekly planning, and clinical case reviews as needed).
• Participate in the Center training and education programs as appropriate.
• Present schedule of events to clinical and administrative staff during scheduled program meetings.
• Post recreation therapy schedule for youth and staff awareness.
• Participate in individual supervision with Clinical Director at least once a month.

Direct Care Responsibilities:

• Teach youth activities of daily living, social skills, conflict resolution, how to effectively problem solve and independent living skills.
• Create opportunities to learn and practice skills mentioned above through experiential activities and games, including proper debriefing.
• Assure appropriate implementation of therapeutic systems, implementing consequences and assigning restorative tasks as appropriate.
• Observe and engage with youth so as to prevent and pro-actively de-escalate out of control behavior daily.
• Make Supervisors, Clinical and Administrative Staff aware of any anticipated problems with youth.
• Provide transportation for youth, as needed, in an agency vehicle in a safe and responsible manner.
• Respond appropriately to youths’ acting out behavior utilizing safe physical intervention in accordance to MAB curriculum when necessary.
• Ensure that a debrief with youth after each emergency safety intervention (ESI) occurs.
• Assure the safety of the facility and youth by reporting environment of care concerns/problems to supervisor.
• Complete proper documentation and forms for Incidents, Precautions and all other required documentation.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy, Adaptive Physical Education, Behavioral Health or a related field. Minimum of 2 years’ experience in residential, or similar, setting with at 1-year experience in recreation therapy.
• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand English, and to communicate in a therapeutic and professional manner.
• Must be available to work weekend and evening hours as needed. Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential is preferred but not required prior to hire.
• The Recreation Therapist must be eligible and willing to pursue and pass certification within 90 days of hire.