Direct Care Worker Windwood Farm for Children

Provide day-to-day care, safety supervision, and trauma-informed behavioral support to youth in a 24/7 residential treatment program. Working alongside a multidisciplinary mental health team, Direct Care Workers model positive life skills, assist youth through emotional and behavioral crises, maintain structured unit routines, and ensure a safe, therapeutic environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supervision & Daily Care: Monitor resident activities and high-risk areas; model appropriate emotional regulation, social habits, and independent living skills; build trusting, supportive relationships with youth.
• Crisis Management & CPI: Maintain physical readiness to de-escalate crisis situations and execute the full range of Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) physical intervention/restraint techniques when necessary for emergency safety.
• Documentation & Teamwork: Write clear, objective, behaviorally specific incident reports and daily activity logs within established timelines; communicate progress and safety concerns to supervisors and clinicians.
• Mandated Reporting: Actively uphold a "see something, say something" safety culture by reporting incidents and safety concerns promptly.

Requirements:

• Education: High School Diploma or GED required (Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Child Development, Social Work, or a related field preferred).
• Experience: Experience working with children/adolescents or in high-stress, crisis response, educational, or mental health environments preferred.
• Licensing & Travel: Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record required for resident transportation.
• Physical & Safety Mandate (Non-Negotiable): Must be physically and emotionally capable of executing the complete range of CPI physical interventions and restraints without accommodation; must dress in attire that allows for an immediate hands‑on response to aggressive or AWOL behaviors.
• Core Competencies: Working knowledge of trauma-informed care and adolescent mental health; ability to maintain firm boundaries with compassion under stressful conditions; strong objective written documentation skills.