TJJD - Substance Abuse Counselor I-II-III -Alcohol or Other Drugs (GID)

About the role

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) provides a trauma-informed, holistic Alcohol or Other Drugs (AOD) Specialized Treatment Program to youth committed to the agency who have been assessed as needing AOD treatment in addition to participating in the agency's Texas Model of Trauma-Informed Corrections.

Responsibilities

• Interviews, screens, and assesses clients for potential program participation and services;
• Provides substance abuse counseling, psychoeducational classes, or rehabilitative programs both in individual and group formats;
• Completes weekly documentation of services provided for each participating youth in accordance with Case Management Standards (CMS) and AOD program requirements;
• Utilizes Texas Model 2.0 principles to guide the counseling process and fosters emotionally supportive environments for youth during counseling sessions;
• Develops and monitors objectives/strategies to address AOD risk factors, increase protective factors and ensure treatment delivery according to the risk-need-responsivity principle;
• Applies an understanding of Texas Model 2.0 to support youth through trauma-informed care and emotional regulation;
• Makes youth progress in AOD specialized treatment; updates treatment objectives for assigned youth in accordance with CMS; and completes transition planning and discharge summaries to ensure continuity of care and management of risk factors for relapse;
• Conducts program orientation sessions;
• Works in collaboration with the transitional placement staff (Halfway House PSW, Parole, and AOD Specialized Treatment Program Specialist) to identify appropriate services such as AOD aftercare;
• Utilizes Texas Model 2.0 principles to foster a cohesive, supportive team environment that encourages the youth's progress and emotional well-being;
• Facilitates required groups, individual counseling, AOD psycho-educational groups, and family contacts for assigned caseload; and plans for scheduled and unanticipated leaves of absence to ensure the provision of group services by an approved group alternate;
• Participates in staff development relating to the agency's approved treatment program, group facilitation, CMS, AOD specific training, substance abuse training, and renews annual mandatory training requirements;
• Reads, reviews, and properly applies information found in youth records related to youth health, safety, and security; provides appropriate information to other staff; and complies with policies, procedures, rules, and regulations;
• Prepares and maintains records, forms, and reports, as required by CMS and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS);
• Aids the case manager during the time the youth is enrolled in treatment by developing individual treatment goals, maintaining constant communication with the case manager to ensure the youth is progressing in treatment, including development of goals, progress, transition plans etc.

Requirements

• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree with major course work in Clinical Psychology, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Family Relations, Guidance and Counseling, Rehabilitation, or other related social sciences* field, and Licensed in the State of Texas as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor ¿ Intern (LCDC-I) and working towards LCDC licensure. No Experience Required.
• Master's or Doctoral degree with major course work in Clinical Psychology, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Family Relations, Guidance and Counseling, Rehabilitation, or other related social sciences* field, and Licensed in the State of Texas as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor ¿ Intern (LCDC-I) and working towards LCDC licensure, and One (1) year of full-time wage-earning experience providing chemical dependency treatment services in a licensed capacity.
• Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's Degree, with an unrelated major, and Licensed in the State of Texas as one of the following: Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), or Licensed Qualified Credentialed Counselor (QCC) based on another qualifying licensure (Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Master Social Worker under a TSBSWEs approved clinical supervision plan, Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Physician, Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN), or Advanced Practice Nurse recognized by the Board of Nurse Examiners as a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner with a specialty in psych-mental health (APN-P/MH). AND One (1) year of full-time wage-earning experience providing chemical dependency treatment services, in a licensed capacity.
• Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's Degree, with an unrelated major, and Licensed in the State of Texas as one of the following: Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), or Licensed Qualified Credentialed Counselor (QCC) based on another qualifying licensure (Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Master Social Worker under a TSBSWEs approved clinical supervision plan, Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Physician, Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN), or Advanced Practice Nurse recognized by the Board of Nurse Examiners as a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner with a specialty in psych-mental health (APN-P/MH). AND Two (2) years of full-time wage-earning experience providing chemical dependency treatment services in a licensed capacity.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree with major course work in Clinical Psychology, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Family Relations, Guidance and Counseling, Rehabilitation, or other related social sciences* field, and Licensed in the State of Texas as one of the following: Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), or Licensed Qualified Credentialed Counselor (QCC) based on another qualifying licensure (Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Master Social Worker under a TSBSWEs approved clinical supervision plan, Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Physician, Certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN), or Advanced Practice Nurse recognized by the Board of Nurse Examiners as a clinical nurse specialist or nurse practitioner with a specialty in psych-mental health (APN-P/MH). AND Three (3) years of full-time wage-earning experience providing chemical dependency treatment services.

Qualifications

• No Experience Required for Substance Abuse Counselor I.
• One (1) year of full-time wage-earning experience providing chemical dependency treatment services in a licensed capacity for Substance Abuse Counselor II.
• Two (2) years of full-time wage-earning experience providing chemical dependency treatment services in a licensed capacity for Substance Abuse Counselor III.

Skills

• Knowledge of Texas Model 2.0 principles;
• Ability to apply Texas Model 2.0 principles to support youth through trauma-informed care and emotional regulation;
• Proficiency in group facilitation;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical guidelines;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• Ability to develop and monitor objectives/strategies to address AOD risk factors, increase protective factors and ensure treatment delivery according to the risk-need-responsivity principle;
• Ability to conduct and facilitate required groups, individual counseling, AOD psycho-educational groups, and family contacts for assigned caseload;
• Ability to prepare and maintain records, forms, and reports, as required by CMS and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

Benefits

• May be required to work in excess of 40 hours per workweek, different shift patterns, be on-call, and travel (10%) occasionally.

Pay

• Salary range is determined by the agency and varies based on experience and qualifications.

Schedule

• Shift patterns may vary based on department needs.