THRIVE Family Specialist

For over 35 years, Youth Villages has transformed the lives of children and families nationwide through innovative, research-based programs focused on preserving and restoring families.

As a national leader in children’s mental and behavioral health, we serve more than 47,000 youth, young people, and their families annually across 29 states and Washington, D.C. Our proven treatment models drive long-term success in child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health systems. At Youth Villages, we do what works — partnering with others to our impact and advocate for meaningful, lasting change.

We're seeking purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference. With a dedicated team of more than 5,000 staff, Youth Villages is committed to investing in and supporting our employees by offering opportunities to build a fulfilling career through professional growth, personal development, and a mission that matters— helping children and families live successfully.

For more information, please visit www.youthvillages.org

Program Overview:

Thrive is an in-home preventive program tailored for youth (ages 0 to 18) involved in the juvenile justice system. Designed to intervene immediately following their initial encounters with the system, Thrive aims to divert youth from further juvenile justice involvement through family-based services that integrate evidence-based interventions, such as Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Thrive addresses the underlying factors contributing to delinquent behaviors and provides motivation for change. This program provides trauma-informed care that builds resiliency in youth who often face increased risks due to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). By actively engaging the entire family unit, Thrive adopts a holistic approach to treatment, facilitating early intervention that promotes positive, long-term outcomes while reducing the likelihood of an out-of-home placement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Thrive Family Specialist:

Carries a caseload of 8 to 12 families

Works with youth and families that have been (or are at risk of being) involved in the juvenile justice system

Holds family sessions with each family once a week (scheduled at the convenience of the family)

Provides treatment in each family's homes which may be located in an array of settings and communities

Provides on-call crisis support to the youth and family (schedules vary by location)

Attends 3 weekly meetings (individual, team, and clinical consultation) for professional development and quarterly booster training sessions to enhance clinical skills

Completes accurate and timely documentation in an electronic medical record system (EMR)

Performs other duties as assigned

Additional Information:

Schedule is flexible and non-traditional as it is based around the availability of youth and families served.

Applicants must possess a current, valid driver’s license, an automobile for work purposes, and proof of auto insurance.

Community-based staff will be reimbursed for applicable mileage.

Salary:

$52,000 - $60,000 / year based on education and clinical license

Qualifications:

Master’s degree in a social services discipline (preferred)

Bachelor's degree in a social services discipline (required)

Degrees that can be considered include: social work, drug and alcohol education or counseling, psychology, criminal justice, guidance counseling, or marriage and family therapy (others subject to review)

Experience working with youth or families in need of crisis intervention (preferred)

Clinical experience (preferred)

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills

Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously

Basic computer knowledge

Ability to maintain a flexible schedule

Youth Villages Benefits

Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision

401(k)

Time off:

2 week paid vacation (full-time) / 1 week paid vacation (part-time)

12 paid sick days per year

11 paid holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)

Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision

Growth & development through continuous training

Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities

*Benefits are excluded for variable status employees.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.