Mental Health Therapist, Community Services for Families (CSF) Program

Mental Health Therapist, Community Services for Families (CSF) Program

About Lifeline Community Services

Lifeline Community Services is a premier nonprofit organization in San Diego County, dedicated to empowering individuals and families to achieve self-reliance and long-term stability. Our diverse service portfolio spans housing, behavioral health, youth development, and anti-human trafficking initiatives, operating across multiple locations.

Position Overview

General Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Community Services for Families Program Supervisor, the Mental Health Therapist will provide assessment services for CSF families with children 0-18 and have domestic violence as the reason for the referral. Assessment services may include every family member (parents and / or children) living in the home and will be conducted in the family home or at other locations as directed by client or County CWS staff.

Specific Activities

• Provides culturally competent, trauma informed assessment services for CSF families referred by Child Welfare Services and community referred families.
• Provide assessments within 3 business days of receipt of referral
• Prioritize cases by case type in as stated in the CSF contract
• Conduct assessments both in person and occasional virtual sessions in the office and in the community
• Evaluate all members of the family living in the home for domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health, trauma, and other significant needs.
• Make recommendations on the basis of assessment findings for preventive or treatment services to mitigate exposure to trauma (for children) and to mitigate / treat issues negatively impacting child safety (for parent / caregivers).
• Provide initial recommendations for treatment, mental health and / or other services to County Social Worker within 3 business days of completing assessment.
• Complete and submit a written follow up report of assessment findings to referring party within 10 business days including assessment tools used, outcomes for each family member, type and level of services recommended, likelihood of a successful treatment outcomes, formal and informal interventions to strengthen family functioning to ensure child safety, prevention services to mitigate future effects of current child trauma, Family Centered Meetings attended, CSF referrals, and other information.
• Participates in Child and Family Team Meetings to discuss client progress in services and support them in achieving their case plan goals.
• Participates in Multi-Disciplinary Teams with County staff as needed.
• Participates in quarterly CSF countywide peer review process to discuss service delivery and improve upon best practices.
• Maintains ongoing communication with the CSF team to ensure quality of service delivery.
• Maintains detailed case files and documentation utilizing County approved forms and formats.
• Produces monthly reports of activities and submits to the CSF Supervisor.
• Remains culturally sensitive and respectful in all client and staff interactions.
• Participates in required staff meetings, collaborative meetings, trainings, County meetings, supervision, QA processes, and all other meetings and events as requested.
• Completes other duties as assigned.
• Training provided

Qualifications and Requirements

LMFT / LCSW / LPCC eligible by the California Board of Behavioral Science plus 2 years of related experience in direct client service. Bilingual Required. Training in and mastery of family systems theory such as Structural Family Therapy and application of diagnostic criteria. Strong skills in interviewing, rapport building, and assessment. Certification in Domestic Violence Assessment and Treatment provided once hired. Ability to make sound clinical decisions independently and to apply clinical judgment to developing effective treatment recommendations. Ability to focus on multiple priorities and meet deadlines. Must be compatible with Lifeline's purpose and philosophy. Must have reliable transportation current auto insurance, and a valid California Driver's license. Must be flexible to accommodate varying client schedules. Hire is contingent upon passing required clearances, including criminal background checks, TB and drug test.

Work Schedule

Full-time : 40 hours a week (may include evenings)

Compensation and Benefits

Your well-being matters at North County Lifeline!

Compensation : Starting @32.29 / hour (DOE) for Licensed. Differential pay offered for bilingual skills

Physical Demands

Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment. Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and / or pull light to moderate amount of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer. Use of personal vehicle during the course of employment required.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

North County Lifeline DBA Lifeline Community Services ("Lifeline") is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring an inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated and discrimination is not tolerated. We are committed to creating a workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their best selves to work. We adhere to all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination and provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

In California, we extend these protections to include ancestry, medical condition, genetic characteristics, mental or physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), familial status, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, and age (40 and above) among others, recognizing and valuing the diverse backgrounds and perspectives that all individuals bring to our team.

Lifeline is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) by providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and by ensuring that our employment practices do not discriminate against any individual.

We believe that diversity fuels innovation and creativity, and we are dedicated to building a team that reflects a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Lifeline's success is built on a foundation of respect, integrity, and the collective contributions of all our employees.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Lifeline expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on any of the protected characteristics mentioned above.

Lifeline's leadership is committed to fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion and ensuring that our employment environment is free from discrimination and harassment. All employees are encouraged to report any instances of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in violation of this policy to a supervisor, HR representative, or through our reporting email.

By embracing diversity and promoting equality, Lifeline not only complies with all relevant legislation but also creates a richer, more vibrant work environment for all our employees.

Accommodations and Accessibility Statement

Lifeline Community Services is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, including those with disabilities. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), and other applicable laws, Lifeline will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship for the organization.

If you require an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact humanresources@nclifeline,org as soon as possible. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to, assistance with completing the application process, providing documents in an accessible format, or arranging for an accessible interview location.

Our goal is to ensure that all individuals have equal access to opportunities and are able to perform their job duties safely and effectively. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where all employees can thrive.

As part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our clients and maintaining the integrity of our workplace, North County Lifeline conducts comprehensive background and drug screening processes for all prospective employees. This includes, but is not limited to :

These screenings are a vital part of our hiring process and must be successfully completed for employment eligibility. North County Lifeline is dedicated to fair and responsible hiring practices and ensures that all screenings are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, respecting the privacy and rights of all candidates. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this process, aimed at creating a safe and productive work environment for everyone.