Bi-Lingual KidTalk Counselor

Kids In Crisis is Connecticut's ONLY free, round-the-clock agency providing emergency shelter, crisis counseling and community educational programs for children of all ages and families experiencing a wide range of crises, including homelessness, mental health, family problems, substance abuse, economic difficulties and more.

REPORTS TO: Director of Outreach and Community Development

RESPONSIBLITIES:

The Bi Lingual Mental Health Counselor - KidTalk is a Full Time position responsible for providing confidential counseling and support to students and families in the assigned school / club and the community. S/he will support and collaborate with after school/club program staff by helping to identify at risk youths and develop appropriate actions for early assessment and intervention.

1. Provide assessments and counseling, in response to the psycho-social needs of young people
2. Act on referrals, by self, friends, parents, and program staff
3. Maintain a visible and available presence among
4. Work collaboratively with in the program youth support services and staff
5. Conduct assessments, related to high-risk behaviors
6. Make referrals utilizing program services and outside resources
7. Maintain confidential client records.
8. Enhance awareness of after-hours support services available through Kids in Crisis.
9. Ensure monolingual Spanish speaking residents have materials in their native language.
10. Work with families and youth to provide psycho-social education and case management linkage to community services.
11. Collaboration with community service providers and mental health staff at Greenwich Public Schools.
12. Provide on site specialized groups to support social emotional development and teach protective skills.
13. Collaboration with and training of school / club staff to promote enhanced positive youth development and the strengthening of staff skills to support mental health well being.
14. Assist with school / club social media to increase assess to mental health and emotional well- being information for the club community.

QUALIFICATIONS (minimum)

• Knowledge of issues affecting young children adolescents including substance use.
• Ability to facilitate individual, family, and group sessions.
• Familiarity with abuse and neglect identification and reporting procedures
• Knowledge of community resources available to youth and their families.
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work individually and as part of a team.
• Excellent communication skills, including writing and public speaking.
• Spanish Fluency (bilingual and bi-literate )

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree required from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Counseling, or Psychology.
• Minimum of two (2) years counseling experience, including crisis intervention, with middle and high school age youth. or equivalent combination of experience and training.