Youth Behavioral Health Program Specialist

Job Summary:

The Youth Behavioral Health Specialist provides creative, trauma-informed behavioral health support to youth in detention centers, schools, and office-based settings. This role facilitates engaging, evidence-informed groups; supports youth with emotional and behavioral needs; provides case management and care coordination as needed; and delivers mental health and de-escalation training to correctional officers and school staff. The position uses foundational knowledge of psychology, strong facilitation skills, and lived experience to build authentic connections and trust with youth.

Accountabilities:

·       Gain and maintain a thorough understanding of Simple Solutions Psychotherapy’s mission, values, Patient Promise, and program expectations.

·       Deliver consistent, engaging, trauma-informed youth programming aligned with approved curricula, assigned responsibilities, and program requirements.

·       Build respectful, culturally responsive relationships that promote youth participation, emotional safety, and strengths-based growth.

·       Provide accurate, practical mental health and de-escalation education appropriate to the audience and the assigned training objectives.

·       Maintain timely, accurate documentation and protect confidential information in accordance with company policies and program requirements.

·       Communicate youth needs, safety concerns, service barriers, and progress to appropriate clinicians, supervisors, and program partners; follow established escalation procedures.

·       Follow through on assigned care coordination activities and use feedback to improve group facilitation and training delivery.

*Accountabilities are subject to change*

Supervisory Responsibilities:

·       None.

Duties/Responsibilities:

·       Plan and facilitate innovative, evidence-informed mental health groups for youth using approved materials and age-appropriate activities.

·       Engage youth through creative, strengths-based, trauma-informed approaches that support emotional awareness, coping skills, communication, and positive behavioral choices.

·       Adapt group activities and facilitation methods to participants’ developmental needs, backgrounds, and the requirements of detention, school, and office-based settings.

·       Provide case management and care coordination as needed, including connecting youth with appropriate services and following up on identified needs.

·       Prepare and deliver mental health and de-escalation training for correctional officers, school staff, and other designated personnel.

·       Collaborate with schools, detention staff, clinicians, and community partners to support coordinated services and continuity of care.

·       Complete timely documentation of group services, care coordination, training activities, and relevant follow-up in accordance with program requirements.

·       Follow site safety procedures and established processes for responding to behavioral escalation or other concerns; seek appropriate clinical or supervisory assistance as needed.

·       Participate in program meetings, training, and feedback activities to support service quality and program compliance.

·       Perform other related duties as assigned.

*Duties/Responsibilities are subject to change*

Required Skills/Abilities:

·       Strong group facilitation, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.

·       Knowledge of adolescent development, trauma, and behavioral health.

·       Ability to engage diverse youth populations with creativity, adaptability, confidence, and respect.

·       Ability to build trust while maintaining professional boundaries and appropriate confidentiality.

·       Ability to collaborate with clinical teams, schools, detention personnel, and community partners.

·       Strong organization, follow-through, and documentation skills.

*Required Skills/Abilities are subject to change*

Education and Experience:
·       Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or a related field, or a minimum of two years of experience facilitating youth groups
·       Strong group facilitation and presentation skills
·       Experience working with youth in detention, school, or community based settings
·       Lived experience navigating systems related to juvenile justice involvement, mental health, or similar challenges that supports authentic connection and trust with youth.

Physical Requirements:

·       Ability to facilitate groups and staff training, including periods of sitting, standing, and moving within service settings, with or without reasonable accommodation.

·       Use of a computer and related equipment to prepare training materials and complete documentation.

·       Ability to travel to assigned detention centers, schools, and office-based service locations.

*Physical Requirements are subject to change