Youth Care Counselor

About the Position

The Youth Care Counselor provides direct care, supervision, guidance, and protection of group home residents and demonstrates the maturity needed to support residents with behavioral, developmental, mental health, and trauma‑related needs. The position requires compassion and respect for youth in care and the ability to balance nurture with structure. The Youth Care Counselor must build healthy relationships, communicate effectively, problem‑solve, and regulate emotions while modeling moral and ethical behavior aligned with the agency’s mission and core values.

The Youth Care Counselor will receive training in MCH’s treatment model, Trust‑Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), and will consistently apply and model TBRI principles in daily interactions with residents and team members.

• Learn, consistently apply and model MCH’s treatment model, TBRI.
• Serve as an active member of the service planning team for each assigned resident and provide ongoing support to help residents meet their treatment goals.
• Apply TBRI principles to guide discipline and intervene appropriately with residents displaying behavioral or mental health needs.
• Work independently and in cooperation with other team members to provide a safe, clean, and orderly home for residents in compliance with all relevant contract standards.
• Supervise residents in care to ensure their safety and well‑being and adjust the level of supervision according to the circumstances and needs of the resident.
• Ensure residents have appropriate clothing, shoes, personal hygiene supplies and provide coaching on maintaining proper hygiene.
• Assist residents in processing daily experiences, trauma and overall placement.
• Accompany and advocate for residents at medical appointments.
• Provide transportation to medical appointments and experiential learning opportunities.
• Dispense and document the administration of prescribed and over‑the‑counter medications.
• Assist in the planning, ordering, and preparation of healthy meals and snacks in the home.
• Support the participation of residents in spiritual life activities in the home and through services and programs offered by the Spiritual Life team.
• Support the education of youth in care, participate in teacher conferences and provide assistance with homework as needed.
• Support the participation of residents in academic, athletic and social extracurricular activities.
• Ensure that the social and recreational needs of each resident are met, including participation in age‑appropriate activities in the community.
• Promote age‑appropriate independence through instruction and coaching on self‑care skills and participation in age‑appropriate skill development activities.
• Manage agency funds, resources and equipment assigned to and for their use, safely and according to agency policy and procedures.
• Complete required documentation to meet safe child care and sound home management compliance.
• Ensure all facilities and equipment are clean, organized and maintained.

The Youth Care Counselor works various schedules based upon the needs of the group home. Most duties are performed in the group home, but transportation of residents to activities and events in the local community is frequent. Out‑of‑town and overnight travel may be required. MCH provides an agency vehicle for the transportation of residents for all activities and events. A technology stipend is provided to support the communication requirements of this position.

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Valid Texas Driver’s License.
• A clean driving record meeting the standards set by the liability insurance company and Methodist Children’s Home.
• No criminal history and acceptable references.
• Minimum age of 21 years.

• Complete pre‑service training and annual training hours to comply with all relevant contract standards and MCH policy.
• Employee’s supervisor may require additional training to meet specific job requirements or enhance professional growth.
• Completion of training requirements is mandatory for continued employment.