Intensive Aftercare Specialist

Job Summary

Under assigned Director OR Senior Supervisor, the IPS Aftercare Specialist is a licensed or license eligible professional, responsible for providing enhanced Intensive placement Stabilization ( IPS) services to youth stepping down or transitioning from inpatient, or outpatient psychiatric or residential facilities. The Aftercare Specialist will have extensive knowledge of mental health diagnosis, accurate clinical reporting and best practices for psychological treatment and wellness.

Along with the ability to assess and diagnose mental and behavioral health conditions. Ensuring confidentiality in all agency internal file management, database and external communications. In addition to proficiency and awareness of evidence-based modalities, Northwestern CANS, Illinois Medicaid IM CANS and Attachment Regulation and Competency Framework (ARC). In accordance with the programmatic and DCFS contractual guidelines. The Aftercare Specialist will provide a high-level coordination of assigned activities that will assist in achieving program and/or agency goals.

Meeting with youth and Caregivers in the office, In home and in the community. Serving as a vital link in the healing process, by ensuring continuous intensive therapeutic services, client advocacy, and community support. While promoting Stabilization in the caregivers or foster homes while transitioning youth from more intensive psychiatric facilities, rehabilitation centers and residential placements. Utilizing a graduated intervention program, structured into progressive, multi-stage levels of intensity which will exceed traditional IPS 6-month intervention period.

• Provides Intensive crisis intervention response, assessment, and aftercare services utilizing graduated and multi-level interventions, tailored to the intensity of the client.
• Conduct an initial visit within 5 days of referral opening per contractual and programmatic expectations.
• Provides crisis intervention in-home services in local coverage areas as appropriate to program requirements.
• This position will require day and overnight travel for training opportunities, advocacy for youth and families in community meetings, or staffing and client sessions.
• Provides active guidance/feedback during family contacts (i.e., during sessions, crisis interventions, and other crisis stability events).
• Completion of intake, Mental Health Assessment, DCFS Extension and Discharge processes, and Treatment Planning as outlined in IPS programmatic and contractual expectations.
• Diagnose and treat mental health disorders.
• Facilitate sessions with individuals, groups, or families.
• Proficiency in the practice of evidence-based modalities and frameworks.
• Assist in the integration of all services provided for the client by serving as a central point of communication for service components during the intervention period and after-care services.
• Provides crisis response mental health interventions and specific services according to the funding source (such as DCFS).
• Completes crisis counseling assessments, decision-making, evaluation risk, mental health interventions, and supporting family unit during services.
• Provides training and Psychoeducation to caretakers where applicable.
• Mentors and supports Interns and new counseling staff.
• Selects and administers Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) to youth aged 7 to 21, along with other evidence-based tests and assessments as needed and skilled in administration.
• Inputs weekly SDS notes documenting client, caregiver, referring agency and collateral interactions and communications.
• Completes monthly progress reports which upon supervisory approval are sent to the referring case agency.
• Completes twice monthly DCFS database tracking of client/family sessions, outings, communications and strength-based purchases as outlined programmatically and per the funder.
• Maintains the highest ethical standards in keeping with professional affiliations and demonstrates the ability to perform strength-oriented practice.
• Provides comprehensive and initial diagnostic assessment of all referred clients utilizing interviews and well-recognized criteria.
• Regularly discusses progress toward goals with clients and encourages client feedback and client ownership of outcomes.
• Ensures there is a medical rule out of symptoms and coordinates the approach with medical and other providers serving the client.
• Adapts clinical methodology to the needs of the client using an…