Organization Overview

Since 1981 CHRIS 180 has been dedicated to healing and recovery for children, youth, adults, and families and is a growing $40 million organization with over 400 employees. CHRIS 180 services include counseling for the community at large; school-based mental health counseling; comprehensive wraparound services; homes for abused, neglected foster children with emotional and behavioral problems who are in state custody and for unaccompanied children in federal foster care; supportive housing for single and parenting young people, ages 17 – 24 who are homeless or aging out of foster care; in-home services and community programs that strengthen families; outreach, drop-in and community housing for older teens, young adults and families with children experiencing homelessness; services in community centers and partnerships with afterschool providers; an adoption program for children in foster care; teen and gun violence reduction programming; and, training for professionals, human service workers, educators, volunteers, individuals who work within the community, in hospitals, other organizations and with children, youth, adults, and families. The goal for all services is to unlock the potential that resides in each person to help them build resiliency and become self-sufficient, contributing adults who have the skills to navigate life’s challenges. Numerous partnerships support this work.

Counseling Center

CHRIS Counseling (Atlanta, Dekalb, Gwinnett) services are rooted in trauma-informed care. This care is directed by an understanding of the neurological, biological, psychological, and social effects of trauma. We assess consumers to learn if the trauma occurred and whether it has a role in behavioral health needs. Some trauma includes sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, severe neglect, loss, witnessing violence, substance abuse, imprisoned family members, and abandonment. Understanding when the trauma occurred helps us tailor our responses, treatment, and services. Trauma-informed assessments and interventions always acknowledge, respect, and integrate cultural values, beliefs, and practices.

Role and Responsibilities

The primary duties include but are not limited to the following:

Provide positive role-modeling to consumers/clients

• Promote self-esteem
• Promote healthy boundaries
• Promote good hygiene and appropriate personal appearance among youth and young adults
• Reinforce socially acceptable behaviors (ex: manners, eating habits, safety)
• Teach and reinforce thoughtful decision-making skills
• Assessing consumers/ client’s history of trauma, acuity, strengths, and needs
• Screen, evaluate, and triage potential consumers to determine what services/evidence-based interventions should be offered
• Provide initial clinical impressions
• Administer Biopsychosocial assessment
• Administer Caregiver Strain Assessment
• Administer Child and Adolescent Function Assessment Scale (CAFAS/PECAFAS) as needed
• Administer validated assessment tools specific to evidence-based practice (7 Challenges, TF-CBT, DBT, ARC)
• Administer/aware of ACE score and implications on service planning
• Develop and monitor IRRPs
• Evaluate and document the client’s level of functioning and progress toward the attainment of goals
• Make necessary referrals to meet consumers' health, well-being, education, mental health, and employment needs (i.e., Department of Public Health, Department of Family & Children Services, Georgia Department of Labor, employment staffing agencies, local colleges, and tech schools, etc.)
• Facilitate and/or participate in Team Meetings for all consumers/members/residents/young adults.
• Collaborate and communicate with other programs in the CHRIS 180 continuum in the provision of services to consumers
• Collaborate and consult with other providers and entities in the provision of best care services to consumers
• Attend monthly RBWO meetings or provide treatment summaries for group home clients.
• Attend monthly Child & Family Team Meetings (CFTM) or provide treatment summaries for clients receiving wrap services.
• Advocate on behalf of clients with other agencies including coordinating services to patients.
• Monitor the provision of services provided
• Provide therapy for adults, children, and families who are referred to the CHRIS Counseling Center
• Demonstrate exceptional engagement skills and clinical expertise in providing trauma-focused mental health treatment to the target client population
• Provide evidence-based trauma-informed individual treatment to Center clients of all ages who meet the criteria for trauma services
• Manage clinical caseload. The number of clients on caseload is based on the frequency of sessions
• Use preventive intervention techniques when needed to prevent injury (to self or others)
• Provide outpatient services to include providing individual counseling, family counseling/training, and/or group counseling/training to consumers with MH, co-occurring, or substance abuse disorders as classified by the DSM IV/V TR
• Provide CSI services to children and families receiving Medicaid-funded services

Documentation Requirements:

• Timely documentation of all case activities in accordance with the Center policy
• Maintain detailed case files and other documentation in 100% compliance with standards
• Complete Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) applications as needed
• Complete monthly summaries for clients in DFCS custody or those receiving wrap services
• Maintain detailed files, documentation, and billing requirements in a timely manner in accordance with CHRIS 180 policy and compliance standards
• Attend and participate in all meetings and supervision as required and in accordance with CHRIS 180 policy and procedures.
• Adhere to CHRIS 180 Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics, and GA Code
• Maintain consumers’ confidentiality
• Support and maintain an environment of emotional and physical safety for consumers, staff, and other stakeholders at all times
• Demonstrate exceptional customer service and maintain certifications/training and provide information to HR and Training in a timely manner

Qualifications/Competencies

• Master’s degree in the field of social work, counseling, and/or marriage and family therapy and the ability to obtain licensure
• An understanding of the concepts of childcare
• Skilled in providing individual, family, and group therapy, Skilled in assisting and maintaining children in their family homes and/or community

• Ability to effectively relate to clients, parents/custodians of all social, economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds, with firmness, fairness, and concern
• Solid decision-making ability as related to the safety and well-being of clients, families, community, and staff
• Be guided by precedent and established policy and procedure in decision-making. This person will be required to analyze and react to difficult situations, often while under considerable stress and pressure
• Dependability, emotional stability, and physically capable. This position requires some physical functions that are essential to satisfactory performance of the outlined job responsibilities, i.e., sitting, standing, walking, driving, speaking, hearing, and the ability to physically restrain (when necessary)
• Ability to recognize when assistance and consultation are needed
• Must be free to travel as the position demands
• Clinical expertise in child development, dysfunction, counseling, treatment planning, and diagnosis is required
• Proficient in MS Office

Benefits we offer:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance and AD&D
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flex Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• 403 (b) plan
• Paid Time Off

Other

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

• Technical expertise that allows well-informed decisions, usage of available tools and resources, and training to execute job responsibilities
• Accountable for work being completed accurately and in a timely manner as well as following up as needed
• Ability to collaborate with other staff to ensure best practices and sound decisions
• Ability to communicate using appropriate tone when corresponding verbally or written (as well as proper usage of grammar and spelling)
• Ability to adapt and adjust to the course and be open to new ideas
• Ability to manage workload by having a clear understanding of task/project and set realistic timelines and goals
• Commitment to our vision and mission should be demonstrated in work

Schedule:

Typically works Monday - Friday between 8:30 am – 8:00 pm. Schedules are flexible based on need and site assignment. Therapists are typically required to work at least two evenings per week to accommodate children and adolescent appointments. Schedules may vary based on site assignment/operating hours. Flexibility is a requirement and schedules are apt to change (with notice) based on clinic needs, grants, projects, or site assignments.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.