Manager of Youth and Family Counseling Services

About the role

The Manager of Youth and Family Counseling Services supports Lighthouse's Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) programs serving youth ages 10-24. This position will work within the Sanctuary, A Step Forward (ASF), and the Graduated Apartment program (GAP), supporting the clients and operations of each program. The Manger of Youth and Family Counseling Services will provide direct supervision and support to Counseling and Case Management staff, with a primary focus on Sanctuary and A Step Forward - two residential programs co-located within our Royal Oak office. As a key leader of the RHY management team, this position assists in coaching and indirect supervision of all RHY specialist staff and helps in managing overall program design, decision-making, and progression toward program objectives.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Staff Management, Supervision, and Training Responsibilities:
  • Recruit, train, and supervise skilled counseling and case management staff to support runaway and homeless youth and families, as needed.
  • Assign cases on an ongoing basis, ensuring and effective and equitable caseload distribution that maximizes productivity and quality of services.
  • Review case records and documentation for completeness, consistency, and quality of services provided.
  • Facilitate weekly case conferencing with counseling, case management, and relevant program staff to support youth and family goals.
  • Work with HMIS Administrator to monitor RHY-HMIS for data quality, completeness, and timeliness of case notes, service transactions, and other required data elements.
  • Report program information, including explanation of program performance, direction, problems, and potential solutions, to Director.
  • Work with the Director of Youth Programs to develop, implement, and supervise an annual training plan for counseling and case management staff.
  • Support RHY team training plans and needs, including providing active, ongoing staff coaching and mentorship in partnership with the Manager of Youth Programs.
  • Collaborate with the Director of Youth Programs and Manager of Youth Programs to build a strong team culture and rally around operational and strategic goals and vision.
  • Assist in recruitment of counseling interns alongside other Lighthouse staff, and serve as main point of contact for clinical internship opportunities and supervision.
  • Stay up-to-date with ongoing best practices, program implementation requirements, and program and agency standards. Train staff accordingly and maintain accountability.
  • Ensure program implementation and activities are carried out in alignment with Lighthouse's objectives, motives and goals and to ensure that agency and program, goals or objectives are accomplished within prescribed time frame and funding parameters.
  • Proactively evaluate individual and team performance on a regular and ongoing basis and provide ongoing training toward continuous improvement.
• Direct Client Services:
  • Provide individual, family, and group counseling to interested parties through the Sanctuary, ASF, GAP, and Outpatient programs.
  • For those participating in counseling services, complete an asset/needs assessments, psychosocial assessments, and assist clients in developing and implementing an Individual Service Plan outlining their goals and relevant actions steps.
  • Ensure proper maintenance of all client files and records, including electronic records maintained in HMIS.
  • Develop strong connections with other agencies to ensure appropriate and effective referral process and resource connections to meet youth and family needs.
• General Responsibilities:
  • Ensure proper maintenance of clients files and records across the program, including electronic records maintained in HMIS.
  • Assist with administrative operations, answering phones, and crisis calls as needed.
  • Assist with rotating on call support in partnership with the Manager of Youth Programs.
  • Work with Director and Manager of Youth Programs to maintain compliance with the Child Caring Institute License and funder rules and guidelines.
  • Serve as an active member of the Lighthouse team, including attending Lighthouse staff meetings, leadership meetings and events and promoting inter-agency collaboration.
  • Maintain agency approval to transport clients.
  • In coordination with the Manager of Youth Programs, provide communication with the RHY team regarding new clients, exited clients, progress towards youth identified goals, and support needed.
  • Enforce program rules, policies, and procedure and uphold agency values to maintain and safe, client-centered, and inclusive environment for clients, staff, interns, and volunteers.
  • Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, or Psychology
• Licensed in the State of Michigan (LLMSW, LMSW, LLPC, LPC, TLLP, LLP)
• Minimum of one (2) years of experience providing counseling services to teens, young adults, and families
• Strong clinical skills and knowledge base clinical care standards in the treatment of youth, children, and families, including those families affected by multiple issues (abuse, neglect, domestic violence, substance abuse, housing insecurity) and demonstrated ability and desire to help families from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Deep knowledge of foundational approaches and philosophies to support youth, including Trauma-Informed Care, Positive Youth Development, and Harm Reduction.
• Experience with and understanding of strong case management skills and approaches.
• Ability to pass a rigorous background check, including child welfare screenings and clearances
• Reliable transportation to transport clients and maintenance of automobile insurance
• Valid driver’s license, Lighthouse reserves the right to require a driving record check for any employee where driving is an essential function of the position.
• Knowledgeable in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Apps
• Flexibility and the capacity to prioritize tasks in a rapidly changing environment
• Ability to multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work with a challenging and diverse population
• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends

Preferred Qualifications

• Lived or professional experience working with people experiencing homelessness or extreme poverty levels in the US
• 5+ years experience in a youth counseling role
• An understanding of the social constructs impacting those experiencing economic instability
• Knowledge of the social services landscape in Oakland County and surrounding areas
• Ability to self-regulate and work independently while coordinating with other staff
• An appetite for innovation and creative problem-solving
• Harm Reduction, Positive Youth Development, Trauma Informed Care, Housing First, and SPDAT training
• Proven ability to work effectively with racially and ethnically diverse clients and teams
• Experience in managing and leading teams
• Ability to build consensus and resolve conflict; willingness to have difficult conversations
• Exceptional communication ability, both written and oral
• Ability to listen and accept feedback constructively
• Possess high emotional intelligence skills
• Unwavering personal integrity
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, demanding, constantly changing environment