YCOT Specialist

North Texas Behavioral Health Authority (NTBHA) is seeking a highly skilled and compassionate YCOT Specialist to join our team. As a key member of our Youth Crisis Outreach Team, you will play a vital role in providing immediate support to children and youth experiencing crisis situations.

The YCOT Specialist will provide crisis intervention, screening, referral, relapse prevention, and follow-up/case monitoring services for children and youth experiencing crisis situations within NTBHA's catchment area. This role involves trauma-informed interventions, crisis resolution, and ongoing support to ensure the well-being and mental health stability of the individuals served.

• Develop and maintain professional contact with clients, client families, and service providers for medical, social, educational, psychiatric, and related service needs.
• Provide on-site and off-site emergent/urgent screening assessments with rapid crisis intervention and crisis management to children and youth experiencing a behavioral or emotional crisis.
• Collaborate with the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT), Crisis Intervention Services (CIS), and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) to facilitate stabilization in the least restrictive environment.
• Coordinate and provide appropriate referral and linkage services after staffing with YCOT supervisor or designee.
• Develop and implement relapse prevention and safety planning strategies for children and youth in crisis.
• Ensure ongoing communication with the individuals served and their families to provide support and guidance.
• Link children and youth to appropriate mental health services and community resources.
• Collaborate with Emergency Department, Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), or Local agencies for children and the youth to divert from inpatient and law enforcement interventions.
• Offer ongoing mental health support to children and families for up to 90 days, with a minimum of 4 weeks, after the crisis occurs.
• Ensure a seamless connection and coordination with community mental health resources and clinics to facilitate continued support beyond the crisis period.

• Graduated from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree with a major specialization in Human/Behavioral/Social Services or related field.
• Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts (LPHA), LPC, LCSW, Licensed Psychologist, or LMFT.
• Minimum of two years of experience in community mental health working with children & youth having severe persistent mental illness and substance use disorders that includes crisis services.
• Familiarity with relevant laws and regulations governing crisis services for children and youth.
• Experience in working case-management with children & youth or field crisis response teams.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and strategies.
• Experience in providing psychosocial education, skills training, or assessments, particularly with the target population.
• Experience with participating in a treatment team that develops and monitors treatment plans for persons with severe persistent mental illness and substance use disorders.
• Knowledge of the Texas crisis response requirements.
• Knowledge of the various community resources and providers within the NTBHA service area, including (but not limited to) supportive housing and employment, shelters, food banks, social service agencies, charities, medical and behavioral health providers, and other resources for the indigent population.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver's license. Pass and maintain a clear background record as required for healthcare organization under state and federal contracts in addition to requirements for working with the telehealth system as needed.
• Advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills - Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc., with an ability to become familiar with company-specific programs and software.
• Must be able to work on and have knowledge of a PC (personal computer).

• Bilingual ability.

This position requires a flexible schedule due to a variety of rotating shifts, to include evening, graveyard, and weekend shifts to meet client needs of a 24/7-hour crisis unit.

NTBHA is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our hiring practices and in our experiences as employees. We strive to create a mindful and respectful environment and culture that is free of perceived harassment, racism, and discrimination, creating an environment of understanding and compassion for all lived experiences.