Mental Health Therapist- Youth Crisis Outreach Team; YCOT

• $2000.00 sign-on-bonus*

The LPHA Youth Crisis Outreach Team (YCOT) Specialist works under the direction of the YCOT Supervisor. The YCOT Specialist will play a vital role in the implementation of the YCOT program, offering immediate support to youth along with their caregivers and families experiencing crisis situations. The purpose of the YCOT Specialist is to provide crisis intervention, screening, referral, relapse prevention, and follow‑up/case monitoring services for youth and family who are experiencing crisis situations within Life Path Systems catchment area.

This role involves trauma‑informed interventions, crisis resolution, and ongoing support to ensure the well‑being and mental health stability of the individuals served. Work involves developing and maintaining professional contact with youth and their families, and service providers for medical, social, educational, psychiatric and related service needs to specifically reduce youth crisis experience. This position’s actions and work must align with Life Path Systems values and goals, regulations, and policies and procedures, and meet all documentation standards and regulatory requirements.

• Conduct psychosocial and diagnostic assessments
• The LPHA YCOT Specialist identifies behavioral health needs, assesses for behavioral health crises, and coordinates access to appropriate treatment options based on least restrictive environment (LRE) and in collaboration with the youth, family/support system, and law enforcement.
• Develop and maintain professional contact with youth served and their families, as well as partner providers for medical, social, educational, psychiatric and related service needs to specifically navigate crisis resolution. The YCOT Specialist provides on‑site and off‑site emergent/urgent screening assessments with rapid crisis intervention and crisis management to youth experiencing a behavioral or emotional crisis with the potential for life threatening behavior and/or acute psychiatric crisis.
• Provide trauma‑informed interventions and strategies to de‑escalate youth in psychiatric crisis.
• Collaborate with the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT), Crisis Intervention Services (CIS), Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) to facilitate stabilization in the least restrictive environment.
• Coordinates and provides appropriate referral and linkage services after staffing with YCOT supervisor/or designee. Develop and implement relapse prevention and safety planning strategies for youth in crisis.
• Ensure ongoing communication with the individuals served and their families to provide support and guidance.
• Collaborate with Emergency Department, Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) or Local agencies for youth to divert from inpatient and law enforcement interventions.
• Ensure a seamless connection and coordination with community mental health resources and clinics to facilitate continued support beyond the crisis period.
• Responsible for coordination, planning, and implementation of the Safety Plan as required for appropriate level of care.
• Seek clinical consultation as needed from the YCOT Supervisor and/or supervisor identified.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting metrics to the YCOT supervisor
• Make accurate and effective assessments and recommendations regarding the youth's mental health needs in compliance with rights and preferences as well as all relevant State and Federal statutes, and Lifepath Systems policies and procedures.
• Develop and maintain rapport with persons in crisis using modalities such as Motivational Interviewing and other relevant and appropriate methods to communicate and relate with callers in order to resolve crises.
• Hours and shift assignments:
  Position requires a flexible schedule due to a variety of rotating shifts including evenings.
• Duties and projects may be assigned or changed to meet program and community needs.

Travel is required and can vary from 20% to 100% per day within LPS catchment area.

This role may be required to use a fleet vehicle and and/or a personal vehicle for program needs. This may include, but not limited to field & home visits, off‑site meetings, co‑located sites…