Youth and Milieu Stabilization Specialist

Who We Are

Lawrence Hall is a Chicago-based nonprofit social services agency that provides therapeutic, wellness, and skill development services to youth, families, and neighborhoods affected by lasting trauma.

Our Therapeutic Day School serves CPS-referred youth ages 5–22 with emotional, intellectual, or learning challenges. We provide personalized, IEP-driven instruction paired with therapeutic arts to promote skill mastery and engagement. With a 90%+ graduation rate and multiple awards, we prepare students for academic and career success.

We are seeking a Youth and Milieu Stabilization Specialist to support youth in our Therapeutic Day School (TDS) and Child and Family Treatment Center (CFTC). This role helps create a safe, healing, and restorative environment for youth by supporting classroom and residential teams, responding to crisis situations, and coaching staff in trauma-informed de‑escalation strategies.

The specialist plays a key role in preventing crises, helping youth return safely to baseline, and promoting restorative practices that build coping skills and resilience.

• Respond to youth crises and support stabilization efforts
  • Provide immediate support to school and milieu staff when youth are in crisis and help youth return safely to baseline.
• Create a therapeutic and restorative environment
  • Work collaboratively with school and residential teams to build a healing-centered milieu and classroom culture.
• Coach staff in trauma-informed de‑escalation
  • Model effective TCI skills, support peers in avoiding conflict cycles, and reinforce restorative justice practices.
• Support student treatment and education goals
  • Assist with implementation of IEPs and treatment plans and participate in treatment team meetings.
• Document services and quality improvement activities
  • Complete timely documentation, review incident reports, conduct debriefings, and help identify opportunities for improvement.
• Provide additional program support
  • Assist with ratio coverage, youth transportation, and community shadowing as needed.

• Preferentially a bachelor’s degree and two years of experience working with youth in a therapeutic day school or residential treatment setting; or a high school diploma/GED and at least three years of relevant experience.
• Current Para Professional License from the Illinois State Board of Education.
• Strong mediation, conflict management, and restorative justice skills.
• Ability to work effectively with youth, families, and colleagues in a diverse environment.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license, access to a vehicle, and proof of insurance.
• Ability to use verbal interventions and, when necessary, physical restraint with youth ages 6–
• No history of child abuse or neglect.

• Knowledge of childhood trauma and trauma‑informed care.
• Experience working with youth and families affected by traumatic stress.
• Understanding of youth development and strengths‑based approaches.

This full‑time, on‑site position is located at our Therapeutic Day School at 4833 N Francisco Ave, Monday to Friday, typical school hours with flexibility for meetings and professional development. Occasional local travel may be required for educational or professional purposes.

• Salary: $41,800–$45,000/year, based on experience.
• Average of 17‑25 days of PTO + 9 holidays.
• Medical insurance – HMO and PPO options.
• Dental insurance – HMO and PPO options.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k) with up to 5% employer match and auto‑vesting.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) – Medical and Dependent Care.
• Pre‑tax Commuter benefits – Parking and Transit.
• 100% employer‑paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance.
• Voluntary Life Insurance for Employees, Spouses, and Children.
• Accident and Critical Illness Insurance.
• Short‑Term and Long‑Term Disability.
• 100% employer‑paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for free counseling and life resources.
• Wellness Reimbursement Program.
• Employee Referral Bonus up to $1,500.
• Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for licensed employees.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

This position meets the FLSA requirements for Exempt.

Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V