Behavioral Health Specialist, Social Work​/Counselor III - Creek Youth Services Center

Division of Youth Services Overview

The Division of Youth Services (DYS) provides a continuum of residential and non‑residential services that encompass juvenile detention, commitment, and parole. DYS is the agency statutorily mandated to provide for the care and supervision of youth committed by the District Court to the custody of the Colorado Department of Human Services. The Division operates fifteen secure facilities that serve youth between the ages of 10 and 21, who are pre‑adjudicated, sentenced, or committed.

The Division also contracts with numerous private residential and non‑residential service providers throughout the State. For pre‑adjudicated youth, the Division is also responsible for the management and oversight of Colorado Youth Detention Continuum, a State‑funded, locally administered program that provides services to youth at risk of further progressing into the juvenile justice system. In addition to residential programming, the Division administers juvenile parole services throughout the State.

This position functions as a mental health counselor. This position provides mental health and case management services to committed and detained youth in the Division of Youth Services. Services to be provided include: clinical assessment (recognizing signs and symptoms of specific DSM‑5 diagnosis, identifying youth in need of additional assessment interventions such as neurological testing and medication evaluation), monitoring medication effectiveness in conjunction with the facility psychiatrist, individual, group, family and milieu therapies, suicide risk assessment and monitoring, report writing, and mental health service coordination with a Multi‑Disciplinary Team (MDT) of experts.

• Maintain a caseload and conduct individual, group, and family therapy sessions using evidence‑based treatment theories in mental health treatment for adolescents.
• Preserve a clear understanding of adolescent development, appropriate interventions for this population, and developmental needs.
• Use theories relevant to the needs of the youth and their individual history, considering age, ethnic, cultural, religious, and sexual issues to affect behavior change. Interpret treatment issues, problems, expectation, and changes in behavior for residents and families.
• Document and assess the effectiveness of specific interventions toward program progression and youth stabilization.
• Provide therapeutic services using a strength‑based approach and holistic manner.
• Collaborate with the medical team and psychiatrist regarding psychotropic medication assessment or continuation to aid in youth stability.
• Collaborate with educational/vocational systems to ensure appropriate academic services are provided.
• Support agency services of cognitive behavioral‑based interventions, social learning theory, and motivational interviewing.
• Engage family/caregivers in the process of stabilizing and transitioning youth to placement.
• Assess progress, barriers to progress, and document all case management and therapeutic services in the Fusion Electronic Health Record system.
• Follow Sanctuary/ROCK Program.
• Facilitate Community Review Teams as needed for Individual Growth and Change Plans and other interventions as they are developed.

• Current, valid Colorado or state‑issued licensure under Social Work Licensure Compact as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC).
• One (1) year of experience with current, valid licensure from a state participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact based on the work assigned to the position.
• Preferred:
  Relatable experience as a current or previous Colorado state employee.

• Minimum age 21 years with no felony convictions or domestic violence history.
• Full background and reference check required.
• State of Colorado residency required.
• Valid, non‑restricted Colorado driver’s license or U.S. driver’s license if driving required.
• Must complete DYS Pre‑service Training Academy, Field Training Program…