Community-Based Therapist

Description

 The R.I.S.E. Program (Real Impact for Stability and Empowerment)

The R.I.S.E. Program provides intensive, community-based, trauma-informed support to children, youth, and families who face complex behavioral, emotional, or environmental challenges. The program is designed to strengthen family systems, stabilize placements, decrease risks, and increase long-term permanency and well-being.

Key Components of The R.I.S.E. Program include:

High-Intensity Community-Based Support

• Services delivered in homes, schools, and community settings to reduce barriers to engagement
• Flexible scheduling, including evenings and weekends, to meet family needs
• Crisis prevention, early intervention, and stabilization support

Care Coordination & Family Partnership

• A team-based, collaborative approach centered on the needs, culture, and strengths of each family
• Coordinated services across mental health, medical, educational, social, and community systems
• Advocacy to ensure families receive necessary services and supports

Trauma-Informed Clinical Services

• Evidence-based therapeutic interventions
• Individual, family, and group counseling tailored to client needs
• Focused support for youth experiencing trauma, instability, or disrupted family connections

Skill-Building & Empowerment

• Support in developing coping skills, emotional regulation, communication, decision-making, and independent living skills
• Guidance in navigating complex systems (schools, legal systems, DFCS, community resources)
• Culturally responsive and strength-based approach to promote resilience

The R.I.S.E. Program ensures youth and families receive integrated, coordinated, and holistic services designed to increase stability, support healing, and empower long-term success.

Role and Responsibilities

This position provides care coordination, trauma-informed clinical services, and community-based support to clients/consumers/residents/members. The primary duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Care Coordination & Caseload Management

• Understand and follow all minimum standards for the specific program(s) assigned.
• Maintain a caseload of 20–25 families.
• Ensure new clients are contacted within 48 hours of referral.
• Ensure new clients are met face-to-face within 7 days of referral.
• Communicate at least bi-weekly with supervisor regarding caseload status.
• Meet minimum contact requirements for each youth or family on their caseload.
• Travel to homes and/or schools is required, with at least 75% of services delivered face-to-face in the community.
• Telehealth sessions may be used only in appropriate situations and must be discussed with and approved by the supervisor.
• Follow all program and departmental policies and procedures.

Assessment, Planning, & Documentation

• Complete case notes, contact notes, and all documentation according to established standards and deadlines.
• Conduct comprehensive intake assessments to determine needs for medical, educational, social, therapeutic, or other services.
• Develop a comprehensive Youth/Family Story that reflects strengths, trauma history, needs, culture, and goals—promoting family choice and voice.
• Assess client and family strengths, needs, trauma history, functioning, and barriers.
• Provide periodic reassessments to determine ongoing service needs and support authorization for continued services.
• Meet all deadlines to ensure clients remain enrolled and authorizations remain active.
• Facilitate a Child and Family Team Meeting (CFTM) within 30 days of referral, assembling a team of natural supports, formal providers, and family members.
• Lead the team in identifying strengths, needs, and shared strategies.
• Facilitate development of a Plan of Care that aligns family vision, strengths, and underlying needs.
• Monitor implementation of the Plan of Care and complete assigned Care Coordinator strategies.
• Collect data on progress toward strategies, needs, and outcomes.
• Conduct ongoing chart audits and update documentation as needed.

Clinical Services

• Provide trauma-informed individual, family, and group therapy to children, youth, and families.
• Maintain an active caseload based on program needs and session frequency.
• Provide CSI and Medicaid-funded services where applicable.
• Deliver services primarily in community settings (homes, schools, etc.).
• Use prevention-focused strategies to de-escalate, stabilize, and support safety.
• Implement evidence-based practices tailored to client needs and presenting concerns.

Collaboration & Advocacy

• Coordinate services across medical, educational, mental health, and social service systems.
• Advocate for youth and families to access necessary supports and resources.
• Work collaboratively with CHRIS 180 programs, DFCS, courts, schools, healthcare agencies, community partners, and natural supports.
• Participate in cross-program team meetings, case staffing, and consultations.

Professional Conduct & Ethical Practice

• Maintain confidentiality of all consumer information.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Follow the CHRIS 180 Code of Ethics.
• Adhere to mandated reporting requirements under GA law.
• Support and maintain emotionally and physically safe environments for consumers, staff, and stakeholders.

Customer Service

• Promote a positive image of CHRIS 180 at all times.
• Serve as a collaborative and contributing team member.
• Respond to consumer, peer, and program needs promptly.
• Answer phone calls, messages, and emails in a timely manner.
• Provide requested information to stakeholders promptly and professionally.

Training, Compliance, & Administrative Duties

• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings.
• Attend and participate in all required trainings.
• Maintain required certifications and licensure compliance.
• Understand and follow all program policies.
• Provide required documentation to supervisor and HR in a timely manner.
• Report employment or status changes to HR as required by policy. 

TOTAL REWARDS for CHRIS 180

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 11 paid holidays, including paid company break from 12/24 - 1/1
• Competitive 403 (b) benefit defined contribution plan
• Healthcare insurance options (HMO and PPO)
• Dental and Vision insurance options
• Employer-paid short-term disability 
• Employer-paid basic life insurance (1x times your salary)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Discounted college tuition for select colleges and universities

Requirements

• Master’s degree required in Social Work, Counseling, or Marriage & Family Therapy.
• Fully licensed (LPC, LCSW, LMFT) preferred.
• 1-2 years’ experience working directly with youth and families.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with individuals in the community and professional agencies as well as the ability to interact with various client populations.
• Dependable vehicle as the program requires travel and insurance converge. 
• Valid driver’s license. 
• Excellent organization skills to manage scheduling, budgeting, and service coordination.      
• Knowledge of Mental Health Disorders. 

Skills and Abilities 

• Technical expertise that allows well informed decisions, usage of available tools and resources and training to execute job responsibilities.
• Accountable for work being completed accurately and in a timely manner as well as following up as needed.
• Ability to collaborate with other staff to ensure best practices and sound decisions.
• Ability to communicate using appropriate tone when corresponding verbally or written (as well as proper usage of grammar and spelling)
• Ability to adapt and adjust to course and be open to new ideas.
• Ability to manage workload by having a clear understanding of task/project and set realistic timelines and goals. 
• Commitment to our vision and mission should be demonstrated in work. 

Schedule

This is a full-time position, 80 hours bi-weekly, which may include weekdays, weekday evenings, and weekends. The hours will vary from week to week depending on the needs of the youth and families being served.

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job (e.g., sitting, standing, walking, and driving). Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.