Behavioral Specialist

Position Summary

Provides treatment planning for Child Welfare children with behavioral and mental health needs. Collaborates with youth in care, caregivers, and community service providers to create and implement treatment plans focused on the behavioral and mental health needs of the child.

Annual Salary Range: $46,000.00 - $52,900.00

Are you passionate about discovering new ways to help empower people and make a difference in their lives?

If you've got what it takes to support us in our mission to provide help and create hope through innovative, collaborative, and diverse programs within the community, then we've got the right opportunity for you.

About Catholic Charities West Michigan

Catholic Charities West Michigan (CCWM) is a community-based agency providing programs in Western Michigan and offering a variety of services in family preservation, behavioral health, child welfare, and community outreach.

• CCWM is committed to ensuring a diverse workforce and a work environment whereby all staff are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.
• CCWM encourages persons of diverse backgrounds and faiths to apply for employment.

Essentials Duties and Responsibilities

• Facilitates treatment planning, supports case direction, and collaborates with the treatment team to ensure high-quality care.
• Conduct assessments, create behavior plans, and case reviews for children and caregivers.
• Work collaboratively with Foster Care Workers, EFC team, and Child Welfare supervisors.
• Ensure treatment plans are implemented effectively, and services are appropriately utilized.
• Maintain a caseload of up to 12 children.
• Ensure that all services and documentation are completed within the required timelines.
• Conduct visits in approved locations such as the child's residence, parental home, CCWM office, CASA house, school, respite placements, or community settings.
• Use Together Facing the Challenge, skill-building interventions; monitor child safety, support parenting skills; and build rapport
• Provide immediate outreach and stabilization efforts during crises, including hospitalization, AWOL return, abuse/neglect allegations, severe behavioral escalation, and suicidal/homicidal ideation.
• Develop actionable plans and adjust goals as needed based on progress and emerging priorities.
• Maintain regular communication with therapists, community mental health, teachers, court-appointed special advocates, juvenile probation officers, medical providers, and other professionals.
• Utilize in-office and community resources to support skill-building and emotional regulation.
• Integrate creative, developmentally appropriate behavior strategies into sessions to support engagement, regulation, and positive outcomes.
• Provides assessment, coping skills and case reviews to children and caregiver
• Provides training to caregivers and staff specific to child's behavioral and mental health needs.
• Completes and submits required reports and documents as required.

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Completes work in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Division of Child Welfare, Department of Health and Human Services, and CARF.
• Refer appropriate behavioral health and mental health services to children and families. Collaborates with behavioral and mental health providers to ensure appropriate care for clients.
• Transports kids as needed for agency business.
• Performs duties to support Foster Care staff as needed.
• Regularly attend supervision, staff, program, training, and agency meetings.
• Drives for Agency business.
• Performs other special assignments at the supervisor's request.

Recommended Employment Qualifications

Education:

A Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology or a Human Service-related field is required.

A Master's Degree in social work, sociology, psychology or a human service related area as specified by state regulations is preferred.

Experience:

At least two (2) years experience working in Child Welfare, Family systems or in an Education Interventionalist role; along with experience in assessment and treatment planning is required.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Professional State of Michigan License preferred

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Our Mission

Inspired by the Church's social teachings, Catholic Charities West Michigan fosters individuals and families to flourish by providing help and creating hope.

Our Vision

Catholic Charities West Michigan is called to create a just and compassionate community where all people can achieve their divine purpose.

Our Values

• Sanctity of All Life
• Compassion
• Integrity
• Respect
• Equity

CCWM is an equal opportunity employer, subject to all federal and state laws as applicable to a religious Agency.