Milieu Counselor (Youth Care Worker) - SAGE

Morrison Child and Family Services: We are a Joint Commission and Sanctuary accredited non-profit organization that provides a comprehensive array of services to children, adolescents, and their families. As an agency, Morrison, its team members, and clients commit to the following values of trauma-informed care: 

• Nonviolence - being safe and doing the right thing 
• Emotional Intelligence - managing our feelings so we don’t hurt ourselves or others
• Social Learning - respecting and sharing ideas of our teams
• Democracy - shared decision making whenever possible
• Open Communication - saying what we mean and not being mean when we say it
• Social Responsibility - everyone makes a contribution to the organizational culture
• Growth and Change - creating hope for our clients and ourselves

About the Program: SAGE

Do you enjoy counseling and supporting youth? Do you find it rewarding to help others? Are you looking for an entry level position in social service with ample opportunities and encouragement for growth?

Our SAGE Youth Residential program provides long-term stabilization for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation (CSEC). Both during their exploitation and prior to it, many of these youth have experienced multiple environmental, social, and biological traumas. This may include sexual abuse, parental neglect and/or abuse, alcohol/drug dependency or abuse, school failure, and high levels of emotional vulnerability. Our SAGE program serves vulnerable youth in the CSEC population by providing a safe and secure setting in which they can experience Support, Achieve their goals, Grow, and become Empowered. 

Job Summary:

The Milieu Counselor supervises youth in the milieu of an intensive treatment program providing support and guidance for daily living skills.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Milieu Counselors help adolescent girls, (11 – 17 years of age) who have been commercially sexually exploited (CSEC) by providing long-term stabilization in a therapeutic environment. 
• They are caregivers and role models for youth in the program. They create a supportive environment, where youth receive help with academics, encouragement in pursing individual interest/hobbies and if needed learn ways to address behavioral issues and trauma.
• Ensures the safety of the clients we serve, both in the residential setting and during community outings.
• Is aware of Morrison Compliance Program including Compliance Officer, Compliance Standards of Conduct, and Employee Compliance Hotline. Understands Compliance Standards of Conduct and signs attestation document. Completes all assigned compliance, HIPAA, client privacy, and fraud, waste, and abuse training. Knows how to report any client privacy or fraud, waste, or abuse concerns.  
• Demonstrate a commitment to developing a thorough knowledge and application of the Sanctuary model and other organizational policies & practices. 
• Participate in staff development, in-services, and training related to workplace effectiveness; model professional behaviors and implement improvements to business practices with awareness of their impact in a trauma-informed behavioral healthcare organization.

Competencies: 

• Employ developmentally sensitive expectations in setting appropriate boundaries and limits.
• Respond to behavior while encouraging and promoting several alternatives for the healthy expression of needs and feelings.
• Establishes and maintains effective relationships within a team environment by promoting and maintaining professional conduct, negotiating and resolving conflict, acknowledging individual differences, and supporting team members.
• Recognizes and assesses own needs and feelings and keeps them in perspective when professionally engaged.
• Follows safe medication administration practices by adhering to prescribed medication use, including doses and documentation. Seeks consultation to address medication concerns and availability.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill in assessing suicide risk factors and facilitating screening and triage.
• Acts efficiently and quickly in response to medical emergencies and performs CPR and first aid as needed, following all crisis policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates sufficient knowledge to support clients experiencing a mental health crisis including de-escalation techniques and facilitating access to appropriate crisis services.
• Understands and complies with mandatory reporting requirements. Use developmentally appropriate and trauma informed approach to follow agency protocol for assessment and intervention.
• Verbally, and using physical restraint techniques when necessary, de-escalates crisis situations following agency protocol in a manner that protects dignity and integrity.

Required Position Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1-year experience working with youth.  Or a combination of education and experience related to working with youth.
• Basic computer skills using word processing, spreadsheets, databases and email.

Preferred Position Qualifications: 

• Bilingual in Spanish, both written and spoken. Must clear a language proficiency test for Spanish
• Direct experience with children and/or adolescents in a residential setting

Other Requirements:

• Shifts may require day, evening, overnight and weekend hours
• Provides emergency first aid, as needed, and maintains a current standard first aid/CPR certification
• Able to pass a comprehensive criminal history background investigation

For positions that require driving:

• Must hold valid driver’s license— Oregon or Washington within 30 days of hire