IPS Counselor

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Reports to the Child Abuse Hotline as directed by the Mandated Reporter Act.
• Provides exceptional customer service to parents, foster caregivers, referring case agencies, and other team members.
• Conducts frequent regional and all-state in-person and virtual team meetings with staff, referring case agency and community partners.
• Participates in frequent agency management meetings and work groups.
• Maintains discretion, as entrusted with a client’s personal information and knowledge of their unique situation. This confidentiality extends to ensuring client data is secure.
• Reports any exposure to communicable diseases.
• Supports the creation and maintenance of programmatic information in Microsoft Teams and on the SharePoint site.
• Affixes expense vouchers, renewed driver's licenses, and automobile insurance coverage on the due date.
• Assists with updating client demographic and other data in the IPS database.
• Ensures direct and indirect weekly filing of all IPS documents, notes, Mentoring, and FPSS documents in client files.
• Provides on-call support after hours on a rotation with all IPS offices in Central, Southern, and Northern regions.
• Provides on-site support to prevent placement disruption.
• Facilitates placement needs of children with collaboration with the referring case agency (DCFS/POS).
• Conducts home visits.
• Maintains positive relationships with other agencies and community members as applicable.
• Completes any necessary file documentation and required DCFS database tracking twice monthly.
• Prepares documentation for court proceedings, as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports and provides stability services for up to 6 months to families referred.
• Caseloads are approximate 10-13: 1 ratio.
• The program operates 24/7.
• The position is required to be available Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 5 pm.
• The position requires sessions outside of normal office hours, and at times can be later evenings.
• The position requires rotation of the on-call calendar monthly to offer 24/7 coverage of program needs for crisis.
• Provides crisis intervention response, assessment, and follow-up services as deemed appropriate per the program plan.
• Initial visit within 5 days of referral opening per contractual and programmatic expectations.
• Provides crisis intervention in-home services in local coverage areas as appropriate to program requirements.
• This position will require day and overnight travel for training opportunities, advocacy for youth and families in community meetings, or staffing and client sessions.
• Provides active guidance/feedback during family contacts (e.g., sessions, crisis interventions, and other crisis-stability events).
• Completes intake, Mental Health Assessment, DCFS Extension and Discharge processes, and Treatment Planning as outlined in IPS programmatic and contractual expectations.
• Demonstrates the ability to correctly identify emotions and to mirror regulated feelings in a way that promotes emotional and intellectual development (emotional intelligence).
• Assists in integrating all services provided to the client by serving as a central point of communication among service components during the crisis, and if applicable, in follow-up.

We Invest in You!

• Tuition assistance up to $2500 per year.
• Up to 4 weeks paid vacation days, up to 6 paid personal days, up to 5 paid sick days annually, and a Mental Health Day.
• Medical, dental, vision, 403b retirement, flexible spending accounts, and health savings account.
• Agency-paid life and ADD up to $50K based on salary.
• Multiple voluntary supplemental plans for employee, spouse, and child(ren).
• Voluntary legal plans and pet insurance.
• Agency-paid long-term disability and short-term disability.
• Career ladders, professional development, and promotion opportunities.

A Different Kind of Employer

• One Hope United is strong and ready to grow.
• Are you ready to grow with us?
• 800+ talented professionals strong, serving 10,000 children and families in Illinois and Florida.
• Fiscally stable, $70 Million agency- strong since 1895.
• Energetic leadership and a rich community of support.

About the Role

• Under the assigned supervisor, the IPS Counselor will provide counseling, advocacy, and case management services to youth and their families during a 6-month intensive intervention period in a community-based setting.
• While in a Placement with caregivers, the IPS Counselor will provide critical, intensive, trauma-focused therapeutic interventions to caregivers and youth in a non-traditional and flexible manner, adapting to the family's availability and needs, per their school and work schedules.
• The IPS Counselor will utilize strengths-based and trauma-focused approaches in developing relationships, assessments, and treatment plans.
• As part of the Intensive Placement Stabilization Program, IPS Counselors support both youth and caregivers in strengthening their bond and communication and improving their sense of security and permanency.
• IPS works with both caregivers and children in weekly sessions, operating within the framework of Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) and other evidence-based modalities and frameworks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of experience working with children and families in a clinical setting.
• Experience with trauma-informed care and attachment theory.
• Knowledge of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) regulations and procedures.
• Valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Pass a background check and drug screening.

Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with clients, families, and colleagues.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with trauma-focused therapy and attachment theory.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing situations.

Benefits

• Tuition assistance up to $2500 per year.
• Up to 4 weeks paid vacation days, up to 6 paid personal days, up to 5 paid sick days annually, and a Mental Health Day.
• Medical, dental, vision, 403b retirement, flexible spending accounts, and health savings account.
• Agency-paid life and ADD up to $50K based on salary.
• Multiple voluntary supplemental plans for employee, spouse, and child(ren).
• Voluntary legal plans and pet insurance.
• Agency-paid long-term disability and short-term disability.
• Career ladders, professional development, and promotion opportunities.

Pay

• Salary range: $40,000 - $50,000 annually.

Schedule

• Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5 pm.

Contact Information

For more information about this position, please contact [Contact Information].