Treatment Foster Care Crisis Intervention Counselor

Safe Families; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Safe Families seeks a dedicated professional to support youth and families in the Lydia Home Treatment Foster Care program, delivering trauma-informed, relationship-based care to prevent crises and de-escalate situations. In-home crisis support, collaboration with clinical staff, on-call duties, and potential Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) certification are part of the role.

The position emphasizes building trust, supervision during crisis interventions, and assisting with residential

Qualifications

• Must be at least 25 years of age.
• Must have a high school diploma or GED.
• Must be in good physical and mental health; able to lift 40 pounds and stand a majority of an 8-hour shift.
• DCFS Rule 132 allows a Bachelor's in human services or equivalent clinical experience.
• Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills.
• Able to demonstrate sound professional judgment and problem-solving ability.
• Ability to nurture, set healthy limits, and work with an interdisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Support youth and families with trauma-informed, relationship-based care to de-escalate crises.
• Provide in-home crisis support and coordinate next steps with clinical staff.
• Assume on-call responsibilities and follow crisis protocols.
• Be certified in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) and conduct related debriefings.
• Supervise and support youth during crisis stabilization in residential and home settings.
• Spend time with youth and families to build relationships and provide short-term respite care.

Skills

Written communication

Oral communication

Leadership

Organization skills

Professional judgment

Problem-solving

Relationship-building

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services

Bachelor's degree in non-human services + 2 years clinical experience

High school diploma / GED + 5 years clinical experience

Job description

Description

• Support youth and families in the Lydia Home Treatment Foster Care program by providing trauma-informed, relationship-based care to prevent and de-escalate crisis situations.
• Provide in-home support to youth and families during crisis situations and, in collaboration with clinical personnel, determine next steps when a youth cannot be de-escalated in the home.
• Assume on-call responsibilities as assigned and execute the use of appropriate protocol when navigating crisis situations.
• As assigned, be certified in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention [TCI] and conduct associated debriefings, consultations, and oversight of behavior management procedures and practices.
• Supervise and support youth while they are out of the home for therapeutic reset and crisis stabilization interventions (to be provided on residential milieu and on Crisis Stabilization Unit).
• Spend time with youth and families in residential and home settings to develop relationships, provide short-term respite care, and support the residential milieu setting.

Requirements

• Must be at least 25 years of age
• Must have a high school diploma or GED certificate
• Must be in good physical and mental health [DCFS Rule 404] (able to lift 40 pounds and stand majority of 8 hour shift)
• To provide billable Medicaid services, per DCFS Rule 132 must have a Bachelor’s degree in the human services field, OR a Bachelor’s degree in a non-human services field plus two years of supervised clinical experience in a mental health setting, OR a high school diploma/GED and five years of supervised clinical experience in a mental health setting.
• Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrates leadership and organization skills
• Able to demonstrate sound professional judgment and problem-solving ability
• Has the following characteristics: Able to nurture, set healthy limits, teach/model skills, open to learning and supervision, reliable, builds respectful rapport, collaborative while providing appropriate care to clients/their families, and works effectively with interdisciplinary treatment team members internal/external to the organization
• Must have a valid driver’s license and auto insurance in order to transport clients
• Demonstrates sensitivity and respect of diverse individuals and communities served by, working in partnership with, or employed by Lydia Home
• Must be able and willing to support the mission of Lydia Home Association (LHA)