Support Specialist Trauma-Informed Counselor
Paterson, NJ - USA
Job Summary
Support Specialist/ Trauma-Informed Counselor
Millicent Fenwick House (MFH) - Residential Community Reintegration Program (RCRP)
Position Summary
TheSupport Specialist/ Trauma-Informed Counselor provides directsupportservices to justice-involved women participating in the Residential Community Reintegration Program (RCRP) at Millicent Fenwick House. The position focuses on promoting successful community reintegration through trauma-informed care case management substance use recoverysupport life skills development crisis intervention and individualized service planning.
Working within a gender-responsive and recovery-oriented environment theSupport Specialistassists residents in addressing barriers to successful reentry maintaining employment achieving recovery goals strengthening coping skills and developing healthysupportsystems.
The ideal candidate possesses a Masters Degree in Social Work or a related behavioral health field and demonstrates experience working with individuals impacted by substance use disorders trauma incarceration mental health challenges and community reentry.
Trauma-Informed Case Management
- Provide comprehensive trauma-informed case management services to residents.
- Conduct intake assessments and assist with development of individualized service plans.
- Monitor resident progress toward treatment recovery employment educational and reintegration goals.
- Assist residents in identifying barriers to successful community reintegration and developing strategies to overcome them.
- Maintain accurate and timely case documentation in accordance with program contractual and regulatory requirements.
- Coordinate referrals to community-based resources healthcare providers behavioral health services housing providers and employment supports.
- Provide supportive counseling motivational interviewing and psychoeducational interventions.
- Facilitate individual and group sessions focused on:
- Trauma recovery
- Substance use recovery
- Relapse prevention
- Emotional regulation
- Healthy relationships
- Life skills development
- Reentry adjustment
- Assist residents in developing coping strategies to address trauma triggers and recovery challenges.
- Supportresidents in maintaining recovery plans and accessing recoverysupportnetworks.
- Demonstrate knowledge of substance use disorders addiction recovery processes and evidence-based treatment approaches.
- Monitor residents engagement in treatment and recovery activities.
- Assist residents in recognizing relapse warning signs and implementing prevention strategies.
- Collaborate with clinical providers and treatment partners tosupportcontinuity of care.
- Promote a recovery-oriented environment that supports long-term sobriety and wellness.
- Serve as an advocate for residents while maintaining professional boundaries and program expectations.
- Assist residents with employment readiness educational goals community engagement and independent living skills.
- Provide crisis intervention and de-escalationsupportas needed.
- Supportresidents in navigating systems including parole community supervision healthcare and social services.
- Participate in resident staffing meetings and interdisciplinary case reviews.
- Maintain case files and documentation consistent with NJAC NJDOC licensing contractual and agency requirements.
- Complete progress notes assessments referrals service plans and discharge summaries within required timeframes.
- Participate in quality assurance activities and program audits.
- Maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA agency policies and professional ethical standards.
- Collaborate with residential staff program leadership clinicians parole representatives community providers and other stakeholders.
- Participate in staff meetings trainings supervision and professional development activities.
- Contribute to a positive respectful and trauma-informed residential environment.
Qualifications
- Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) Counseling Psychology Human Services or a related behavioral health field.
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience providing case management counseling or supportive services in a behavioral health substance use corrections reentry or residential setting.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and gender-responsive programming.
- Knowledge of substance use disorders recoverysupportpractices and relapse prevention strategies.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to establish professional relationships with justice-involved individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Valid drivers license and ability to travel as needed.
- CADC or LCADC
- Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or License-Eligible Social Worker.
- Experience working within residential treatment corrections parole reentry or substance use recovery programs.
- Training in Motivational Interviewing Cognitive Behavioral Interventions Seeking Safety or other evidence-based trauma-informed practices.
- Experience facilitating psychoeducational or recovery groups.
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Substance Use RecoverySupport
- Case Management
- Crisis Intervention
- Motivational Interviewing
- Resident Engagement
- Documentation and Compliance
- Cultural Competency
- Professional Ethics
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Ability to work within a residential setting.
- Ability to navigate stairs and multiple floors within the facility.
- Ability to respond to emergencies and crisis situations.
- Ability to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
- Full-Time
- Exempt
- Reports to: Program Director or Clinical Supervisor
Salary Range
$45000 - $55000 annually
Required Experience:
Manager
About Company
New Jersey Association on Correction is changing people's lives for the better by providing resources necessary to rewrite their story.