Trauma-Informed Youth Therapist

SUMMARY:

The Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation is working to end the cycle of domestic violence through its comprehensive youth programming. The Margaret's Place program is a school-based violence intervention and prevention program designed to help students, faculty, and families address violence in school, at home and in the community. The Margaret's Place program addresses the underlying causes of violence and the impact of victimization through a variety of counseling and psycho-educational modalities including art-based interventions: an interactive trauma education/violence prevention curriculum; individual and group counseling; a peer leadership program; school staff, parent and community workshops/outreach; anti-violence campaigns, and more. 

Antelope Valley High School, 44900 Division St. Lancaster, CA 93535 

 This is a full-time, school-based position.  The candidate will provide services at the above school on a temporary to permanent basis.  

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Be physically present on the school campus when school is in session.
• Provide individual and group counseling to youth exposed to violence or abuse.
• Teach trauma education/violence prevention curriculum to youth.
• Develop, implement, and facilitate a weekly peer leadership group, peer leader-run events, and field trips, as needed.
• Develop and implement anti-violence campaigns and activities with peer leadership groups promoting healthy relationships and raising awareness about violence related issues.
• Provide outreach, referrals, and workshops for parents/legal guardians.
• Provide outreach, referrals, and training for staff and administration.
• Attend committee and staff meetings and develop and maintain relationships and collaborations with staff and administration.
• Participate in weekly individual and group supervision. 
• Comply with best practice standards for practice and documentation as per JTSAH and the state. 
• Participate in and/or accommodate on-site program research, evaluation, and site visits.
• Participate in professional development related to job responsibilities and professional growth (e.g., clinical practice, adolescent development, navigating systems, etc.)
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRMENTS:

• Master's degree in Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Creative Arts Therapy, or a related field.
• Active, unrestricted CA-license in a behavioral health discipline (e.g., ACSW, AMFT, etc.)
• Experience working with children and adolescents.
• Solid understanding of interpersonal violence (e.g., intimate partner violence, teen relationship abuse, child abuse, etc.) and trauma-informed principles and practice.
• Strong counseling and crisis intervention skills.
• Solid understanding of violence prevention work preferred.
• Experience with workshop and/or group facilitation.
• Experience with school-based programming preferred.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with others.
• A strong commitment to providing anti-racist, culturally sensitive services, as well as a knowledge of systemic issues.
• Ability to be creative in engaging youth individually and in large groups.
• Ability to work independently and maintain flexibility for working in a demanding school environment.
• Ideal candidates will demonstrate a passion for strengths-based, youth empowerment work; will exhibit creativity in their approach of job tasks and challenges; and will be self-motivated.
• Exhibit professional and ethical behavior.
• Present with the emotional capability to engage youth in conversations pertaining to violence, trauma, and traumatization, and to engage resources/supports outside of work to appropriately manage emotional wellness.
• Solid understanding of, or connection, to the community preferred.

NOTE:  Experience working in gang prevention and/or with youth who have had involvement in the juvenile justice system is preferred