Truancy & Family Engagement Specialist

TRUANCY & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

(Grant-funded)

SALARY: $63,000.00 per year

REPORTS TO:

Mental Health Coordinator

SUPERVISES:

N/A

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience:

Applicant must be a graduate from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Clinical or Counseling, Rehab Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related field or university with the intent of obtaining license; OR an individual who is temporarily or fully licensed by the Texas Licensing Boards.

Licenses, Certificates, and Experience

• Must be over twenty-one (21) years of age (for state certification requirements);
• Current Texas Driver's License and must have an automobile with current automobile insurance;
• Ability to communicate effectively (reading, writing, and understanding) in English; Bilingual is preferred;
• Able to submit to a drug urinalysis pre-screening exam and pass a criminal background check. If the candidate for employment does have a criminal record, it must be cleared through the requirements as set forth by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department;
• Must be bondable;
• Must be eligible for certification as a Psychological Association by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker or a Licensed Professional Counselor and/or Licensed Professional Associate by the Texas Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors;
• One (1) year experience in working with children, youth, and families in a social services setting and/ or in provision of direct clinical services is preferred;
• Familiarity with evidence-based practices and effective community engagement strategies;
• Knowledge of techniques for facilitating client motivation to change behavior problems;
• Knowledge of Psychometric testing and various evidence-based therapeutic modalities for youth;
• Skills in training and/or teaching others in the field of mental and behavioral health; and
• Basic computer skills in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook; Electronic Health Record System

After Hire Licenses or Certificates

• Cardio- Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification and First Aid (FA).

Compliance and Ethical Practice

• Adhere to ethical standards set forth by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and regulations from the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council.
• Adhere to ethical standards set forth by the Texas Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors;
• Participate in supervision and professional development to stay current with best practices in social worker and/or Licensed Professional Counselor or Associate.

TYPICAL DUTIES

• Contingent on qualifications and credentials will assist Mental Health Coordinator to provide services for students and parents who are attending the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) and/or under community supervision;
• Student and Family Engagement Specialist will follow up on truancy and be liaison between the department and school districts for youths referred to the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) and or department;
• Student and Family Engagement Specialist will work closely with the JJAEP Principal and CCJJD staff and participate in treatment team meetings;
• Assess each case and investigate what is contributing to their truancy and address that need;
• Work closely with Texas Workforce and/or other community resources in order to assist JJAEP students or community supervision youths with job placement and/or vocational skills;
• Provide pro-social and family engagement activities for youths referred to the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) and/or youths on community supervision;
• Seek community resources that can assist JJAEP students and families in need;
• Intervention Plans will be created with the students and the family to help address truancy;
• Conduct initial assessments to evaluate clients' mental health needs, substance abuse needs, strengths, and challenges;
• Develop comprehensive service/treatment plans based on assessment outcomes;
• Provide individual, group, and family counseling to clients;
• Utilize evidence-based curriculums such as "Overcoming Obstacles Curriculum" for program participants;
• Utilize evidence-based therapeutic techniques to support clients in achieving their mental health goals;
• Ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary teams;
• Coordinate care and services for clients, including linking them to community resources, support groups, and other services;
• Monitor clients' progress and adjust service/treatment plan as necessary;
• Respond to clients in crisis and provide immediate support and intervention as needed;

• Maintain detailed and accurate records of client interactions, assessments, treatment plans, and progress notes in compliance with legal and organizational requirements. Enter all data in the CCJJD JCMS System and Electronic Health Record System (EHR);

• Educate clients and their families about mental health resources, treatment options, and coping strategies;
• Advocate for clients' needs within the juvenile justice system and assist them in navigating services;
• Engage in community outreach initiatives to promote mental health awareness and resources;
• Collaborate with other organizations to foster partnerships that support client needs;
• Assist in tracking grant data, completing grant reports, and facilitating program evaluation as assigned. Keep statistics on all required services via the department's Juvenile Case Management System (JCMS);
• Cross training and tracking of community-based referrals and programs;

• Provide mental health skills training and/or counseling and screenings of juveniles referred to by specialized programs;
• Assist and coordinate with Mental Health staff in conducting testing, secondary screenings and assessments, provide clinical services, such as but not limited to, skills training and counseling services;
• Provide supplemental groups in anger management, prevention/education, HIV/AIDS prevention/education, workforce development, and other special needs that promote overall youth development;
• Implement a family engagement program that prepares youth for successful reintegration to their communities;
• Provide conflict mediation between youth and parent/guardian;
• Participates as an active member of a treatment/multidisciplinary team that evaluates youth's progress in the level system and discharge planning;
• Create and abide by referral process and service schedule;
• Ability to work effectively with the juvenile population, their families, probation officers and court system;
• May need to attend court hearings and testify;
• Be flexible with work hours which may sometimes include after-school hours and/or some weekends.
• Keep in contact with clients/families to promote attendance and compliance of court order counseling sessions;
• Assist in training department staff with mental health related topics;
• Participates and represents the department in conferences, task forces, etc. that address mental and behavioral health as part of the networking and collaboration of services;
• Work in partnership and supervision of university students gaining knowledge and counseling experience within the department's programs and services;
• Participates in department's staffing of cases;
• Provide successful leadership for the department by possessing good management skills, mentoring and professionalism;
• Assist in developing and overseeing departmental policy;
• MUST BE AVAILABLE for all emergencies to include, but not limited to inclement weather, taking children into custody, transporting to placement or emergency release facilities, doctor(s) office(s) as directed by Supervisor;
• Adhere, maintain, and comply with professional conduct and ethical behavior consistent with the standards and policies and procedures expected by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), TJJD, Cameron County, and Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department (CCJJD) at all time, both on duty and off duty;
• Adhere and comply with all PREA standards and will follow zero tolerance towards all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment while conducting business in the pre and post-adjudication facilities;
• Adhere and comply with all TJJD standards to include Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (ANE) standards and cooperate with all ANE investigations;
• Adhere and comply with CCJJD's and Cameron County's policies and procedures and know how to keep abreast of any changes to said policies and procedures, including maintaining a effective safety program as established by Cameron County;
• Abide by all federal, state, and local laws; the nature of our profession requires being a good role model and setting a good example at all times;
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required;
• Employment is contingent upon federal, state, local and/or grants availability;
• CCJJD is an At-Will employer; the department has the right to terminate your employment for any legal reason, or no reason, at any time either with or without notice; and
• Perform any and all other duties as assigned by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer and/or designee to include reassignment which is in the best interest of the department.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system;
• Applicable Juvenile Justice System standards and procedures;
• Electronic Health Record System (EHR);
• Standard practices in area of assignment;
• General knowledge of providing trauma-informed care, establishing appropriate relationships, and social adjustment;
• Standard counseling techniques;
• Understanding of adolescent development and family dynamics;
• Safety and security techniques and standards

Skills In:

• Strong Crisis Management, and trauma-informed care knowledge;
• Communication skills demonstrating cultural competence;
• Proficient problem-solving abilities to navigate client challenges creatively and effectively;
• Monitoring and responding to client behavior;
• Problem solving and decision making;
• Interviewing clients;
• Both verbal and written communication; and
• Basic Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages

Ability To:

• Gather, analyze and evaluate facts to conduct investigations and report results clearly, accurately and impartially;
• Required to possibly work different schedules in order to meet the needs of the program;
• Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team;
• Reason and make judgments and decisions;
• Maintain client and program confidentiality;
• Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals;
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities;
• Submit written documentation clearly, accurately, and impartially;
• Perform effectively and courteously in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner; and
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other county employees and officials, representatives of the juvenile justice system and the general public.

WORK ENVIORNMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work Environment:

• Tobacco free environment;
• Absolutely no electronic devices or cell phones allowed in the pre or post-adjudication facilities while either on/off shift;
• Moderate travel with little or no notice (emergency transport) requiring additional hours after scheduled shift and/or overnight stays may be required for transports or training;
• Subject to contact with communicable diseases, hazardous waste, human fecal manner and foul odors;
• Must be able to work in high noise level environment;
• Position involves a range of activities, from sitting at a desk for several hours conducting in-house, virtual and if necessary in-school counseling sessions.
• At no time, will the review or use of social media be allowed while on duty, and/or on County provided electronic equipment, except in limited situations where such activity is work related and is authorized by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer or designee.

Physical Demands:

• Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 50-100 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and basic office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform essential functions;
• When back-up emergency response is needed, must be able to run to the requested location.

Work Uniforms:

• Must adhere to the CCJJD Dress Code Policy;
• If visible tattoos, sleeves or cover ups must be worn; and
• Sets the example regarding personal appearance with regards to hair being neatly trimmed and combed.

This is not a Civil Service covered position.

BENEFITS:

Cameron County Offers Excellent Fringe Benefits, Including: Health and Life Insurance Protection, Sick and Annual Leave, Retirement System and Paid Holidays. Cameron County has a mandatory direct deposit payroll program.

AA/EEO/MFD EMPLOYER