Behavioral Health Counselor

Job TitleBehavioral Health Specialist Assessment Court LiaisonJob DescriptionThe purpose of the Division of Youth Services (DYS) Assessment Unit is to provide a safe, secure, and healthy environment for all juveniles committed to the Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services (DYS), while conducting comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessments. Services include, but are not limited to, the administration and interpretation of criminogenic risk, mental health, substance use, and sex offense–specific screening and assessment instruments to inform treatment recommendations and ensure efficient, effective service delivery. The unit also provides specialized sex offense services and treatment needs, as well as coordination with internal and external stakeholders. Principal functions include identification of criminogenic risk factors; evaluation of mental health functioning; determination of substance use treatment needs; assessment of individual strengths and responsivity factors; evaluation of sexual behavior concerns; and development of recommendations for placement type and individualized service plan goals. Additionally, the unit serves a court liaison function, facilitating communication with judicial partners, attorneys, and community agencies; preparing and presenting DYS Assessment and treatment services Evaluation services are delivered through a multidisciplinary team decision-making process that incorporates family input and community support. All assessment services are empirically supported and aligned with best practice standards established by the U.S. Department of Justice, the National Institute for Correctional Mental Health Care, and the CDHS Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division.Summary of Duties:Maintains consultation with Behavioral Health, Medical, and Educational Service members to ensure expertise in assessment and behavioral health services across DYS; provides expert, neutral testimony to the courts and responds to inquiries regarding DYS services, policies, reports, and population; and leads the development, implementation, oversight, and evaluation of sex offense–specific policies, programs, contracts, and practices in alignment with SOMB standards, evidence-based care, and DYS guidelines, including training, technical assistance, compliance monitoring, reporting, and participation in agency initiatives.Ensure the oversight and application of appropriate, reliable and accurate assessment practices to ensure consistency across regions. Identify system processes in any given situation and define the issues related to the process from a division-wide perspective. Identify areas of personal contributions and relationships to other Behavioral Health, Medical, and Educational Services disciplines and actively work to balance the needs of all discipline areas. Collaborative with other disciplines to create a shared vision for statewide SOMB Services and Behavioral Health services within DYS.Conduct clinical interviews, criminogenic risk assessments, drug and alcohol screening and assessments, mental health evaluations, trauma assessment, and neuropsychological screenings on juvenile offenders who are committed to the Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services. Administration and interpretation of the Youth Assessment and Screening Inventory (YASI), Juvenile Automated Substance Abuse Evaluation (JASAE), and University of California Los Angeles Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – Reaction Index (UCLA PTSD-RI) to assess specified areas of functioning including, but not limited to: current and past delinquent behaviors, mental health presentation, criminogenic need areas, family issues, peer relationships, self-perceptions, use of free time, level of maturity, problem solving skills, breadth of decision-making, drug and alcohol involvement, personal goals, risk factors associated with neuropsychological deficits, and identified skills/competencies. Conduct family interview to ascertain individualized family strengths, needs, perspective, and expressed goals for treatment and DYS stay. Review relevant collateral data, previous evaluation findings, legal documents, and any other information received at time of commitment, and incorporate the information into the finalized assessment report. Contact DYS Quality Assurance designee and/or courts to obtain any necessary legal interpretation or clarification and request amendment to mittimi when warranted. Complete all commitment paperwork, and calculate the security level designation. Contact collateral agencies to verify or request additional information on newly committed juveniles. Review all information available in the judicial database to ensure accuracy of mittimi, additional/pending charges, sentencing requirements, court orders and/or restitution ordered, and note any discovered discrepancies in the Assessment Report. Outline the assessment process to youth and families, including expectations, responding to questions, and requesting signed authorization for release of information and disclosure statements.Communicate individualized assessment findings and treatment recommendations with interdisciplinary team members to arrive at collaborative decisions regarding Service Plan goals, optional placement types, and recommended treatment. Participate in the initial DYS Multidisciplinary team meeting to discuss all relevant assessment findings in order to arrive at consensus related to prescribed placement type, service plan recommendations, and transition goals based upon individualized youth and family needs. Incorporate all assessment findings into a comprehensive, individualized, and strengths-based written Assessment Report. Enter all pertinent information into the Colorado Trails database and the Electronic Health Record (EHR). Perform a quality review all Assessment Reports prior to dissemination to ensure information contained in the report is accurate, conveys data necessary for Treatment Plan development, and represents correct grammar, spelling, and sentence structure.Provide clinical oversight, expertise, quality assurance, and direction regarding evaluation findings of juveniles who have committed sexual offenses, committed to the Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services. Uphold the effectiveness, fit, and functionality of currently utilized services and provide recommendations for improving statewide SOMB Services practices and policies. Participate in training topics related to Offense Specific Youth, including but not limited to, strengths-based evaluation and goal setting, effective report writing, identification of mental health and criminogenic need factors, psychological theories that apply, and motivational interviewing skills. Participate as a representative for DYS SOMBServices at various mental health and juvenile justice conferences. Maintain ongoing statewide correspondence with colleagues, service providers, and client managers to ensure reliable communication and continuity of services provided across the DYS continuum of care.Maintain direct and ongoing communication with the Director of Assessment and SOMB services for DYS to review, uphold, and improve ongoing criminogenic practices. Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement practices, as outlined by DYS Assessment Services protocol. Communicate program/system strengths and limitations to the Program Manager. Participate in program development activities and assigned committees designed to ensure continuous quality improvement and reinforcement of DYS SOMB Services initiatives.Other duties as assignedMinimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal RightsApplicants must meet the minimum qualifications listed below to continue in the selection process for this position. Work experience must be specifically documented on your application. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application.Minimum Qualifications:License and Experience:*Current, valid Colorado or State participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact licensure as a:Licensed Social Worker (LSW) ORLicensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) ORLicensed Professional Counselor (LPC) ORLicensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)ANDTwo (2) years of experience with current, valid licensure from a state participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact based on the work assigned to the position.*Applicants for supervisory positions must have licensure that meets the legal requirements to perform supervisory responsibilities.Preferred Qualifications:Relatable experience as a current or previous State of Colorado employee.Sex Offender Management Board (SOMB) certificationConditions of Employment:Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violenceFull background check and reference check requiredThis position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) CheckMust possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's LicenseOut-of-State Driver's License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's License within 30 days of employment start date.Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the DYS Pre-service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO) and mandatory annual training in all subject areas.Applicants for supervisory positions must have licensure that meets the legal requirements to perform supervisory responsibilities.Travel to assigned trainings and meetings, will travel to different facilities depending on critical case load.Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:Disclose that information on the application.Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.Provide your employee number from your prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.CDHS Selection Process Explanation:Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/