IPS Counselor

PAAN INTENSIVE PREVENTION SERVICES PROGRAM

POSITION OVERVIEW : This position provides counseling services to juveniles with significant histories of behaviors that threaten the wellbeing of themselves and others. These behaviors include, but are not limited to theft, substance use and abuse, truancy and incorrigibility. Efforts are made to avoid initial or repeated contact with the justice system. The Intensive Prevention Services program seeks to prevent the need for court involvement through family intervention. For that reason, the Counselor position must assess both youth and parents with a keen awareness of the varied intervention modalities. The position is dynamically linked to the other programs within the PAAN agency.

This position will require frequent communication between external and internal departments including, but not limited to contact with the Juvenile Justice System (JJS), Children Youth and Family Services / Department of Human Services, Family Court, Youth Aid Panels and the schools. Counselors are responsible for performing the following duties :

• Work collaboratively with the case manager for the jointly assigned youth.
• Create Youth / Family Service Plans (FSP) based on strengths-based assessments.
• Assess & monitor completion of goals as outlined in the Youth / Family Service Plan and youth aid panel ordered requirements.
• Assess all past weekly home / school visits to determine youth's progress.
• Conduct weekly individual counseling sessions with youth
• Recommend and refer resources for individual and family group counseling when needed.
• Assess past weekly group and individual counseling sessions at site-based locations for completion of goals and objectives.
• Assess the established community relationships and resources.
• Assess the achievements of families' goals as outlined in youth's support plan (Family service Plan).
• Prepare written reports in accordance with agency and funder requirements.
• Identify areas requiring counseling.
• Maintain accurate up to date clinical records as instructed. Provide weekly input to team regarding intervention for identified families. Counselors must have the ability to respond to crisis situations and understand that flexibility in work schedule will be necessary.
• Prepare case notes as instructed.
• Support Case Managers with home / school meetings to determine if clinical counseling / therapy is required for youth and / or family.
• Make entries and update data base as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, AND EDUCATION

Environmental Factors and Condition / Physical Requirements :

Education and Training Requirement :