About the Organization:
New Moms believes in the strength, skills, and potential of young moms. Our comprehensive approach provides housing, job training, academic coaching, and family support to give moms and their children a path to lasting success. Combining behavioral research, proven methodology, and 40 years of real-world experience, New Moms has established an equity-driven model for generational change, challenging the barriers caused by systemic poverty and racism.
Our Commitment to Equity:
New Moms prioritizes racial equity as a strategic and organizational imperative. Strong candidates will be committed to integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values into their work goals and will be evaluated on their impact.
About the Job:
The full-time therapist will provide trauma-informed mental health services to both young moms individually and to young moms and their children who are engaged in New Moms’ housing, family support, and/or workforce development programs. Therapeutic interventions will promote healing, skill building, resilience, identification and use of natural supports, and empowerment of young moms and their families. The therapist will provide individual and family therapy and may provide therapeutic or psychoeducational groups as indicated. The therapist will work collaboratively with other program staff across the agency to ensure service quality and continuity of care. The Therapist will champion all New Moms values including our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, in both strategic planning and performance. This position works out of our Austin and Oak Park offices, with time spent in the community for home-based services. Therapist will need to be available 1-2 evenings per week, with some remote / telehealth flexibility depending on participant needs and preferences. Starting Salary Range: $59,000-$64,000 DOQ
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Provides trauma-informed, culturally competent, and individualized mental health services to New Moms adult and child participants based on a service intensity weighted caseload
- Delivers individual, family, and/or group therapy in various settings according to participants’ preferences and agency needs; settings may include offices, participant homes, other community-based settings, and telehealth /virtual platforms
- Completes IM+CANS and/or assessments as indicated to determine mental health service needs and formulates service delivery recommendations; Partners with participants to develop individualized treatment plans to support recovery; Must obtain and maintain IM+CANS certification
- Utilizes various therapeutic techniques and modalities; displays a commitment to ongoing professional learning and growth
- Displays a commitment to harm reduction principles and practices
- Actively participates in weekly reflective supervision
- Works collaboratively with other staff to integrate services across the agency, and communicates with collateral sources, as appropriate and with participant consent
- Maintains working relationships with other social service and/ or public agencies; provides linkage to appropriate resources; advocates for early intervention or other parenting supports as needed; secures appropriate releases and consent forms
- Performs written and electronic recordkeeping functions on a timely basis according to agency policy
- Responds to mental health crises as needed and facilitates psychiatric hospitalization and/or linkage to other emergency services if appropriate
- Assures that voicemail greeting for office phone and NM-issued cell phone is set up and current; Responsible for returning all voice messages and providing all current participants with contact information to reach them during business hours
- Upholds the New Moms’ Executive Skills Coaching approach which is grounded in racial equity
- Supervises volunteers and/or interns, as determined by supervisor
- Regularly participates in agency and program staff meetings, as well as professional group seminars or conferences to enhance professional knowledge and job skills
- Performs other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
Education:
- Master’s degree in counseling, social work, family therapy, or other related field required
Experience:
- Experience providing individual and parent-child therapy services required
- Experience with Medicaid managed care and/or IM+CANS assessment preferred
- Familiarity with IL Administrative Rule 140 and/or IL Community Based Behavioral Services handbook preferred
- Previous training / certification in Child-Parent Psychotherapy, Theraplay, or similar evidence-based dyadic model preferred; If not already trained/certified, must be willing to participate in 18-month training program during employment with New Moms
Skills/Traits:
- Experience in the use of personal computers and Microsoft software applications required
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and in writing
Other requirements:
- Access to a reliable vehicle daily to travel between New Moms sites and to participant homes required
- Ability to work 1-2 evenings per week
- Must be willing and eligible to pursue clinical licensure as an LCSW, LCPC, or LMFT
New Moms’ Benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees including health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; matching on retirement savings up to 3%; 15 paid holidays; and generous paid time off. We also offer several unique benefits to New Moms: discounts on Bright Endeavors products, free optional spiritual direction services, and half days on Fridays in the summer. Our Flexible Work Options policy allows for staff to work some hours remotely once training is complete. For licensed employees, you will receive over 20 free CEU's during onboarding and an additional 1.5 free CEU's/month throughout employment. We promote professional development and provide time for you to attend other external trainings opportunities as well. New Moms is a qualifying employer for student loan forgiveness and your time employed counts toward eligibility.