Director of Mental Health Services

Primary Function

In keeping with the Mission Statement and Principles of Covenant House, part of the Covenant House international network, is committed to giving homeless youth a safe haven, absolute respect, unconditional love, and a path to lasting independence through housing programs and providing a continuum of care through supportive services. The Director of Mental Health is responsible for overseeing and managing all mental health services provided to youth experiencing homelessness.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership And Program Development

• Develop, implement, and oversee trauma-informed mental health programs that address the unique needs of homeless youth.
• Ensure that all mental health services are aligned with the shelter’s mission and trauma-informed care principles.
• Provide clinical leadership and supervision to a team of mental health professionals, ensuring that care is effective, compassionate, and aligned with best practices.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of mental health programs and make adjustments to services based on feedback, outcomes, and evolving needs of the youth.

• Trauma-Informed Care Integration

• Ensure that all mental health services are grounded in trauma-informed care practices, focusing on safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment for youth.
• Train and educate shelter staff and volunteers on trauma-informed practices and the impact of homelessness and trauma on youth mental health.
• Offer guidance to shelter staff on creating a supportive and emotionally safe environment.

• Clinical Supervision And Team Support

• Provide regular clinical supervision and mentorship to mental health professionals, fostering professional development and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
• Oversee the development of individual treatment plans for youth, ensuring that mental health care is personalized and focused on the goals and strengths of each youth.
• Collaborate with case managers, housing staff, and other shelter teams to ensure that mental health services are integrated into the overall case management and service delivery plan for each youth.

• Crisis Intervention And Support

• Lead the development of crisis intervention protocols and provide on-call support to the team in emergency situations.
• Ensure that mental health staff are trained in de-escalation techniques, risk assessments, and emergency response protocols, particularly when working with youth in crisis.
• Provide direct counseling and mental health support to youth during acute emotional or psychological distress, including risk assessments for self-harm or suicidal ideation.

• Direct Client Support And Advocacy

• Provide trauma-informed care to youth survivors of human trafficking, ensuring a safe, respectful, and supportive environment.
• Conduct thorough assessments to identify the specific needs of trafficking survivors, including emotional, physical, and legal support, and develop individualized case plans.
• Offer immediate crisis intervention, providing safety planning, stabilization, and emotional support during initial contact and throughout the recovery process.
• Serve as a dedicated advocate for youth survivors, connecting them to critical services, including legal assistance, healthcare, housing, mental health support, and educational resources.

• Case Management And Service Coordination

• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized care plans for survivors, focusing on long-term healing and stability.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external service providers to ensure comprehensive support for survivors, addressing needs such as housing, employment, therapy, and legal services.
• Monitor client progress, providing ongoing support and adjustments to case plans as needed to facilitate successful outcomes.
• Coordinate referrals to specialized programs and services, including legal advocacy and victim assistance programs, ensuring survivors' rights and needs are prioritized.

• Collaboration With External Providers

• Build and maintain relationships with external mental health providers, hospitals, and community organizations to ensure continuity of care for youth residents.
• Coordinate referrals to outside mental health services, ensuring that youth receive necessary follow-up care, medication management, or specialized treatment as needed.
• Advocate for the mental health needs of residents within the broader community and work to raise awareness about the mental health challenges faced by homeless youth.

• Assessment, Documentation, And Reporting

• Oversee the intake process for mental health assessments, ensuring that all new youth are assessed for mental health needs and appropriate services are initiated.
• Maintain accurate and confidential clinical documentation of assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, and other relevant documentation according to CHT policies and legal requirements.
• Prepare and submit regular reports on mental health services, including outcomes, challenges, and recommendations for improvement, to CPO and funding agencies.

• Staff Training And Development

• Provide ongoing training for shelter staff on mental health issues, trauma-informed care, behavioral health management, and recognizing signs of mental health distress or crisis.
• Develop and implement educational workshops or support groups for youth to promote mental health awareness and coping strategies.
• Stay current with best practices, evidence-based therapies, and trauma-informed approaches, incorporating new knowledge into shelter programming and staff training.

• Youth Empowerment And Advocacy

• Advocate for the emotional, mental, and behavioral needs of youth, ensuring they have access to resources and opportunities to promote recovery, resilience, and empowerment.
• Create a safe and supportive environment where youth feel comfortable seeking mental health support and actively participate in their treatment and recovery process.
• Encourage youth participation in decisions related to their care and treatment plans, empowering them to take an active role in their mental health journey.

• Evaluation And Continuous Improvement

• Develop and monitor key performance indicators to assess the effectiveness of mental health services.
• Use feedback from youth, staff, and community partners to continually improve the quality of mental health services and programming.
• Regularly evaluate and adjust CHT’s mental health strategies to align with emerging needs, trends in the field, and best practices for working with youth in crisis.

• Data Integrity And Management

• Ensure accurate and timely entry of all client data into the HMIS and ETO data systems, maintaining compliance with organizational and funding requirements.
• Regularly review and verify data to ensure consistency, completeness, and accuracy, addressing any discrepancies or errors promptly.
• Monitor data quality and integrity, implementing corrective actions as needed to ensure compliance with reporting standards.

• Grant Compliance And Reporting

• Oversee the compliance of all grant-funded programs, ensuring adherence to grant requirements, timelines, and regulations.
• Prepare and submit required reports and documentation to funders, ensuring all data and financial information is accurate and up to date.
• Participate in grant compliance audits and site visits, assisting with documentation and responding to audit inquiries.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of grant terms, conditions, and deliverables to ensure that all services and operations are aligned with funder expectations.

• Grant Management

• Assist in the development and implementation of grant proposals, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and funder priorities.
• Track grant funding and expenditures, ensuring funds are allocated properly and in accordance with approved budgets.
• Work with leadership to ensure that grant-related activities are being executed as planned and within the scope of approved budgets.
• Collaborate with team members to ensure that grant goals and objectives are met and reported accurately to funders.

• Program Model Training

• Ensure that all staff understand and are proficient in the shelter’s Program Model work, which is designed to provide holistic, youth-centered care through a trauma-informed approach.
• Facilitate/Support training sessions on the core components of the shelter’s model, including case management practices, youth empowerment, conflict resolution, and engagement techniques.
• Work closely with staff to ensure that the shelter’s model is consistently integrated into everyday practices and that staff are confident in applying it in their work with youth.

• Self-Care And Professional Development

• Engage in regular self-care practices to manage the emotional demands of the role.
• Participate in ongoing training, workshops, and professional development opportunities to stay informed about best practices in trauma-informed care and human trafficking prevention.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience:

• Master’s degree or higher in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field.
• LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist), or equivalent licensure required.
• At least 5 years of experience in a clinical mental health setting, with a minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Ability to provide supervision instruction to interns, practicum participants, and those seeking licensures.
• Understand, comply, and implement Trauma Informed Care concepts and Strengths Based Approach.
• Experience working with homeless or at-risk youth populations, particularly those with trauma histories, is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge and experience in trauma-informed care practices, crisis intervention, and evidence-based therapeutic techniques.
• Must have a solid understanding of Adolescent Mental Health, Mental Health Interventions, Suicide Prevention, Substance Abuse, and Understanding of LGBTQIA+.

• Skills & Abilities:

• Strong leadership, management, and clinical supervision skills, with the ability to support and guide a multidisciplinary team.
• Deep understanding of the psychological and emotional challenges faced by homeless youth and the impact of trauma on mental health.
• Ability to assess and respond to crisis situations, including developing risk management plans for youth in acute distress.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with youth, staff, and external partners.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments to ensure integrated care for youth residents.

Working Conditions

Work will be performed both in office settings and on-site at the shelter. Potential exposure to challenging behavioral situations or high-stress environments, requiring the ability to maintain composure and professionalism.