Child Development Specialist- Sub Acute Stabilization (Tuesday-Saturday)

The Youth Counselor; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 52,349,000 - 71,635,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Paid time off

Retirement savings plan

Tuition assistance

Job summary

The Village is seeking a Sub-Acute Crisis Stabilization Child Development Specialist in the Hartford area. You will join a multi-disciplinary treatment team to support youth aged 5-18 in crisis stabilization, focusing on social, emotional and educational development while reducing hospitalizations.

The role emphasizes trauma-informed care and family involvement. We offer competitive benefits including health coverage, paid time off, retirement savings with employer match, and tuition assistance.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic child development; issues related to abuse and neglect.
• Must be able to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Culturally competent to serve a diverse population.

Responsibilities

• Maintain safety of children using supervision and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention techniques.
• Maintain a safe, clean milieu environment and serve as a healthy role model.
• Demonstrate problem-solving techniques and support maturation.
• Record and document critical information timely.
• Communicate with parents/guardians professionally.
• Interact with children in a positive, nurturing, therapeutic manner.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate therapeutic groups.
• Participate in program and agency meetings and trainings.

Skills

Child development knowledge

Team collaboration

Stress management

Crisis intervention

Cultural competence

Education

Bachelor’s Degree strongly preferred; Associates Degree or High School diploma considered

Job description

About us: The Village was one of the first agenciesin the country to provide homes for neglected children. Today, wecontinue to achieve our mission “to build a community of strong,healthy families who protect and nurture children” by providing a fullrange of behavioral health, early childhood and youth development,substance use treatment and support services for children, adults andfamilies in the Greater Hartford, Connecticut region.

Named a Connecticut Top Workplace for six consecutive years withnational distinction for workplace culture and diversity, equity andinclusion practices, you can be sure you’re joining an organizationthat’s just as committed to your success as we are to those we serve.

Tuesday-Saturday 1st Shift.

Starting hourly rate $20.50

Sub-Acute Crisis Stabilization Child Development Specialist

The Subacute Crisis Stabilization program (SACS) serves youth/youngadults ages 5-18 years of age who are experiencing a behavioral healthcrisis, requiring more than 24 hours for full stabilization and nomore than a 14 day stay. Trauma informed treatment through the SACSprogram is designed to support youth who are experiencing challenginglife stressors (disruptive behaviors within the home/community,suicidal or homicidal thinking or are at high risk for usingsubstances). Holistic family focused treatment will be provided toaddress such mental health stressors and support youth intransitioning back to their homes, schools and communities whilereducing the need for hospitalizations/re-hospitalizations oremergency department use.

JOB SUMMARY

The Child Development Specialist I participate as a key member of amulti-disciplinary treatment team in the treatment and/or education ofchildren with significant emotional, behavioral, and learningdisabilities. This staff ensures that the children’s physical andemotional needs are met daily and supports the children’s academiclearning by focusing on the enhancement of their social, recreational,and behavioral functioning.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain the safety of children in all situations usingsupervision and the implementation of various therapeutictechniques, including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention.
• Maintain a safe, clean and dignified milieu environment.
• Serve as a healthy role model.
• Demonstrate techniques that enhance problem solving abilities andenable growth and maturity.
• Understand and relay relevant information.
• Record and document critical information in a timely matter.
• Communicate with parents/guardians in a professional and timely matter.
• Communicate with coworkers in a professional and timely matter.
• Communicate with external professionals (e.g. Teachers, DCFWorkers) in a professional and timely manner.
• Manage and assist in the modification of child behavior.
• Maintain appropriate certifications (see LicensureRequirements below).
• Provide safe transportation to and from program activities.
• Conduct oneself in a professional, courteous manner in alljob-related interactions.
• Interact with children in a positive, nurturing, therapeutic manner.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate therapeutic groups.
• Participate in program meetings, agency meetings, supervision andtraining events as deemed appropriate by supervisor.
• Conduct any other related work to ensure that the physical andemotional needs of the children are met and that the programcontinues to operate effectively.
• May be required to work in other programs as needed.

Experience and Skills

• Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s Degreestrongly preferred; Associates Degree or High School diploma considered.
• Licensure/Certification Requirements: Validdriver’s license and the capacity to attain or maintain a PublicService License, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Certification,American Red Cross First Aid and CPR Certification, DefensiveDriving Certification, Safe Food Handling Certification.
• Experience Level: Three years in human servicefield or experience working with special needs children.
• Specific Skills, Knowledge and AbilityRequirements: Knowledge of basic child development, issuesrelated to the effects of abuse and neglect.
• Must be able to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Must be culturally competent to serve a diverse population.
• Must have the ability to manage stress and to respond toemergency situations safely and calmly.
• Proficient with word processing and spreadsheet applications.Possess solid general computer skills, including ability to work ina Windows XP environment. Familiarity with specific applicationsused by the Village a plus.
• Physically able to perform the essential functions of theposition, with or without reasonable accommodations, i.e. must beable to supervise groups of children and perform physicalintervention if required; must be able to move freely from place toplace without restriction.
• CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
• All Regular Child Development Specialists in the Residential andExtended Day Treatment programs are required to obtain and maintainthe following certifications:
• All Child Development Specialists in the Residential and Schoolprograms are required to obtain and maintain the following certifications:

Certification Timeframe

Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Within 2 months of hire

First Aid / CPR Within 2 months of hire

Public Service License (PSL)/V Endorsement Within2 months of hire

DCF Medication Certification Within 6 months of hire

Our benefits package supports your whole life with comprehensivehealth coverage, generous paid time off, and employer matchedretirement savings. We also invest in your growth through tuitionassistance (Loan Forgiveness Program – NHSC, tuition reimbursementand Student Loan Repayment). https://thevillage.org/careers/our-benefits/