VP-CST Citywide Mental Health Practitioner

VP-CST Mental Health Practitioner Location: Metropolitan Peace Academy (MPA) office, Illinois. Salary: $55,000 – $66,000 annually. Candidates with LCSW or LCPC credentials may be considered for a starting salary up to $78,000. Responsibilities Conduct comprehensive client assessments and intakes to determine needs, strengths, and eligibility for VP-CST services. Provide individualized case management, counseling, and advocacy addressing behavioral health, safety, and stabilization needs in alignment with the VP‑CST model. Develop and monitor service plans, collaborating with clients and interdisciplinary teams to establish achievable goals. Recommend transitions to less intensive services as appropriate, coordinating with the authorizing LPHA and VP‑CST services. Maintain timely, accurate documentation in compliance with Medicaid, managed care, and agency record‑keeping standards. Maintain fidelity to the VP‑CST approach, ensuring an 18:1 client‑to‑staff ratio and prioritizing intensive, relational engagement. Deliver community‑based and home‑based services, including individual, family, group therapy, crisis intervention, skill building, and resource navigation per the IATP. Facilitate or co‑facilitate group psycho‑education, coping strategies, and community‑building sessions. Connect clients to community resources and coordinate care across systems such as housing, medical, employment, and legal supports. Advocate for clients in community networks, reducing barriers and ensuring culturally responsive, trauma‑informed care. Participate in trainings, supervisory meetings, and administrative meetings to uphold program quality. Represent the agency and VP‑CST program in the community, building partnerships and increasing service awareness. May require additional certifications or training in youth development, restorative justice, or mentoring as dictated by program or grant requirements. Perform additional duties as assigned. Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Maintain consistent community‑based behavioral health services under the VP‑CST model with outreach workers and community partners. Work effectively with diverse individuals and groups impacted by trauma, community violence, and systemic inequities. Strong knowledge of trauma‑informed care principles, adult development, and effects of poverty, violence, and discrimination on mental health. Familiarity with community resources and ability to navigate local systems for clients. Awareness of HIPAA, confidentiality, and ethical standards in behavior health and social services. Conflict resolution, de‑escalation skills, staying calm under pressure. Collaborative mindset, work as part of a multidisciplinary VP‑CST team (case managers, outreach workers, clinicians, peer specialists). Ability to complete structured assessments and screening tools (PHQ‑9, GAD‑7, program intake forms) accurately and sensitively. Presentation and group facilitation skills, delivering psycho‑education workshops or community trainings. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, EHR, and professional written and verbal communication. Availability for flexible, nighttime, and weekend schedules as required. Qualifications Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) preferred. Bilingual in English/Spanish or other community language preferred. State Medicaid billing and documentation knowledge preferred. Master’s degree in social work or counseling from an accredited college or university required. Application to take the LSW or LPC exam (or equivalent state credential) preferred. Two or more years of experience in community‑violence prevention, behavioral health, criminal justice, or related settings preferred. Certification in IM+CANS within 3 months of hire and annual re‑certification required. Additional Requirements Pass all relevant screenings and a criminal‑background check. Transportation/Travel Requirements Driving required; must own a personal vehicle and travel between sites. Physical Demands Job requires sitting and standing for long periods, conversational with clients, handling objects and occasional standing, bending, stooping, speaking, and using hands to touch and handle tools or equipment. Benefits Medical coverage, dental coverage, and vision coverage. Annual contributions of $2,000 to individuals and $4,000 to families. Free general medicine and behavioral health services for all staff. 401(k) plan with 4 % employer match, vesting 100 % on day one. #J-18808-Ljbffr