Director of Mental Health Services

Director of Mental Health

In keeping with the Mission Statement and Principles of Covenant House, part of the Covenant House international network, is committed to giving homeless youth a safe haven, absolute respect, unconditional love, and a path to lasting independence through housing programs and providing a continuum of care through supportive services. The Director of Mental Health is responsible for overseeing and managing all mental health services provided to youth experiencing homelessness.

This includes developing and implementing trauma-informed mental health programs, providing clinical supervision, CHT Human Trafficking program and ensuring the emotional well-being of youth residents. The Director will lead a team of counselors, therapists, and support staff while working closely with shelter leadership to integrate mental health services into the shelter's overall programming. This role requires a strong understanding of trauma-informed care, youth development, and the specific challenges faced by homeless youth.

• Develop, implement, and oversee trauma-informed mental health programs that address the unique needs of homeless youth.
• Ensure that all mental health services are aligned with the shelter's mission and trauma-informed care principles.
• Provide clinical leadership and supervision to a team of mental health professionals, ensuring that care is effective, compassionate, and aligned with best practices.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of mental health programs and make adjustments to services based on feedback, outcomes, and evolving needs of the youth.

• Ensure that all mental health services are grounded in trauma-informed care practices, focusing on safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment for youth.
• Train and educate shelter staff and volunteers on trauma-informed practices and the impact of homelessness and trauma on youth mental health.
• Support shelter staff in understanding mental health challenges faced by youth and offer guidance on how to create a supportive and emotionally safe environment.

• Provide regular clinical supervision and mentorship to mental health professionals, fostering professional development and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
• Oversee the development of individual treatment plans for youth, ensuring that mental health care is personalized and focused on the goals and strengths of each youth.
• Collaborate with case managers, housing staff, and other shelter teams to ensure that mental health services are integrated into the overall case management and service delivery plan for each youth.

• Lead the development of crisis intervention protocols and provide on-call support to the team in emergency situations.
• Ensure that mental health staff are trained in de-escalation techniques, risk assessments, and emergency response protocols, particularly when working with youth in crisis.
• Provide direct counseling and mental health support to youth during acute emotional or psychological distress, including risk assessments for self-harm or suicidal ideation.

• Provide trauma-informed care to youth survivors of human trafficking, ensuring a safe, respectful, and supportive environment.
• Conduct thorough assessments to identify the specific needs of trafficking survivors, including emotional, physical, and legal support, and develop individualized case plans.
• Offer immediate crisis intervention, providing safety planning, stabilization, and emotional support during initial contact and throughout the recovery process.
• Serve as a dedicated advocate for youth survivors, connecting them to critical services, including legal assistance, healthcare, housing, mental health support, and educational resources.

• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized care plans for survivors, focusing on long-term healing and stability.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external service providers to ensure comprehensive support for survivors, addressing needs such as housing,…