Teacher Support Counselor

About Our Program

Ädelbrook’s CRS/CLA homes provide community-based residences for young adults with developmental disabilities, who require staffing assistances to better support their independence and growth. The CRS/CLA homes, located throughout the state of Connecticut, are chosen based on proximity to their loved ones’ residence to encourage as much time with their family as possible, as well as provide adjacency to their day program services/school and other community-based activities. The houses are shared living arrangements for three or four DDS individuals, designed to maximize each person’s potential with the ultimate goal of greater independence and less staffing supports. A therapeutic staffing team includes program behaviorists who provide individualized behavior support plans, highly trained direct care staff specializing in psychological and physical management techniques, a client entitlement coordinator who assists with managing the individuals state entitlements and finances, and other contracted supports based on the individuals’ acute needs. Our individuals are encouraged to explore their surrounding neighborhood by participating in community events, activities of daily living, and interaction with individuals residing in other CRS/CLA homes.

Job Summary:

The Teacher Support Counselor (TSC) provides guidance, supervision, mentoring, and life skills training to youth who are both residents and students at Adelbrook Behavioral and Developmental Services and Learning Center. S/he is assigned to one of the residential houses to ensure a fluid transition of youth from the residential program to the Learning Center each morning. S/he serves as an educational liaison between the Learning Center and the house. This position will involve effective use of crisis communication skills, behavior management strategy and potential physical restraints, using Physical Management Techniques (PMT), to protect the young person from maladaptive behavior endangering him or herself and/or others. While at the Learning Center, s/he reports directly to the designated Supervisor. The TSC will start their day at the residential program, then transition students to the Learning Center, and will spend the remainder of their day at the residential program once school is dismissed. This is a full-time, 12 month, non-exempt position that reports directly to the Program Coordinator - Residential.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensures an orderly transition of youth from the residential program to the Learning Center. The TSC I also transitions the students back to the house and remains on-site until second shift relieves them.
• Assists teachers in small groups or 1:1 activities that engage students in learning activities, as directed by the certified teacher, for the duration of the class.
• Interacts with students within learning activities and provides proactive positive reinforcement and behavioral strategies as suggested by Positive Behavior Support (PBS) and required by the Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
• Submits all documents in a clear, concise, and timely manner through the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Implements behavioral plan and collects data by using appropriate logs and other documentation through the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Ensures students have unfinished work or homework to take home/to house for completion during study time.
• S/he may be requested to attend Planning and Placement Team (PPT) meetings or provide information concerning student progress.
• Intervenes with students who need to leave class for behavioral reasons, as requested by the teacher responsible for those students.
• Mediates interpersonal conflicts between students.
• Builds therapeutic relationships with youth in order to implement and support programming components within the youth’s individual treatment plan and individual education plan (IEP).
• Teaches youth to manage their own behavior, building internal assets through the use of boundaries, guidelines, roles, and rules.
• Uses PMT techniques (as a last resort) to ensure a safe and therapeutic environment.
• Works cooperatively with teachers, staff and administrators in order to foster therapeutic and academic goals.
• Attends all required professional development training (both at the Learning Center and in Residential) and staff meetings.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by their direct Supervisor(s) at the Learning Centers and/or the Residential Program.

Education, Experience and other Qualifications:

B.S./B.A. in human services or educational field, or a minimum of 60 credits from an accredited college or university with at least two years of relevant experience. Experience with Emotionally Disturbed and/or Intellectually Disabled students, or students with other special needs preferred. Ability to work with students and other employees from diverse ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds. Training in but not limited to the following; Physical/Psychological Management Training, CPR, First Aid, and Positive Behavioral Support is required and will be provided by the agency. Must have a positive attitude, demonstrate good judgment, have the ability to develop rapport with students and other staff and be willing to interact and work daily with students on academic tasks. Must be willing to learn and carry out the functions of a Positive Behavioral Support system. Must be able to function as a part of a team, to demonstrate flexibility in meeting program and individual needs as they occur. A valid driver’s license, and excellent driving record are required to ensure the safety of youth and coverage by the Agency’s insurance carrier.

Ädelbrook is committed to programs of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action. Accordingly, all decision affecting our staff are made on the basis of Ädelbrook’s mission, personnel policies and applicable state and federal laws. Decisions are made without regard to race, color, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, ancestry, veteran status, national origin, marital status or handicap.