Mental Health/Substance Use Disorder Licensed Practitioner

Position Title: Licensed Practitioner of the Healing Arts 

Agency: Homeless Children's Network 

SCHEDULE: Full Time- Starts immediately 

SALARY: $110,000 Per Year

HOMELESS CHILDREN’S NETWORK MISSION STATEMENT

Homeless Children’s Network’s (HCN) mission is to decrease the trauma of homelessness and domestic violence for children, youth, and families; to empower families; and to increase the effectiveness of collaborative efforts among service providers to end homelessness and poverty.  Since 1992, HCN has empowered San Francisco’s underserved and historically marginalized communities citywide toward a brighter future with love, wholeness, and healing.

About Homeless Children’s Network (HCN)

Since 1992, HCN has been San Francisco’s leading nonprofit agency for comprehensive early intervention and mental health support for underserved and historically marginalized children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or living in intergenerational poverty. Our mobile therapeutic model is both accessible and scalable, enabling clinicians to meet clients directly in the community. As the hub of a Collaborative of 60+ service agencies and community-based organizations, we serve over 2,500 clients each year, reaching those most reluctant to trust conventional mental health systems. Central to our work is our Afri-centric mental health and wellness model. This community-defined approach addresses health inequities and the persistent cycle of racism and trauma over generations. This model not only uplifts the Black/African American communities but also strengthens the behavioral health outcomes of all San Franciscans, fostering resilience, healing, and lasting change.

KUPONA SUD OUTPATIENT PROGRAM OVERVIEW: 

Kupona Program is a culturally responsive and family-centered substance use treatment program for youth in San Francisco. Utilizing Evidence-based and locally-innovative interventions, this program will provide co-occurring or SUD standalone services for youth who are at risk or struggling with drug, alcohol, and other substances. Kupona offers a continuum of services depending on the level of care needed:

Early Intervention for youth who are at risk of developing a Substance Use Disorder (SUD),

Outpatient Level 1 for youth who are actively using substances and meet criteria for SUD diagnosis, but who present with NO acute intoxication and/or withdrawal potential.

Intensive Outpatient for youth who are actively using substances, meet criteria for SUD diagnosis, and who present with acute intoxication and/or withdrawal potential.

This program serves all ethnicities and populations within San Francisco with focused expertise to meet the needs of youth under the age of 18 years old who are Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Mental Health Practitioner plays a crucial role in providing care and support to individuals facing mental health challenges, promoting emotional well-being, and working to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. This person would provide psychological support, counseling, and therapy to individuals experiencing mental health issues. They assess, diagnose, and treat a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and mood disorders. The role involves working with individuals, groups, or families to improve emotional well-being and mental health.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assessment and Diagnosis:

Conduct initial assessments to evaluate patients' mental health, including their emotional, psychological, and behavioral conditions.

Use a variety of diagnostic tools, interviews, and questionnaires to identify mental health disorders.

Formulate a comprehensive diagnosis based on assessment results, medical history, and patient feedback.

Treatment and Intervention:

Develop and implement individualized treatment plans tailored to the patient's needs.

Offer crisis intervention for individuals in acute distress or emergencies.

Use evidence-based practices to support patients through their recovery journey.

Counseling and Support:

Offer one-on-one counseling or group therapy sessions for patients dealing with mental health issues.

Provide emotional support, coping strategies, and behavioral management techniques.

Support patients in addressing personal or social problems that may impact their mental well-being.

Patient Education:

Educate patients and their families about mental health disorders, treatment options, and coping strategies.

Promote mental wellness and help patients develop long-term strategies for managing their mental health.

Collaboration and Referral:

Collaborate with other mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, social workers, and counselors, to provide holistic care.

Refer patients to specialists for medication management, more intensive therapy, or additional support if necessary.

Documentation and Record-Keeping:

Maintain accurate and up-to-date patient records, including treatment plans, progress notes, and session details.

Ensure documentation complies with all relevant legal and ethical guidelines, including confidentiality and privacy standards (e.g., HIPAA).

Advocacy and Community Outreach:

Advocate for mental health awareness and reduce stigma in the community.

Provide resources and referrals to support services, including community mental health programs, shelters, and support groups.

Professional Development:

Engage in continuing education, professional training, and supervision to stay current with best practices and new mental health treatments.

Participate in workshops, seminars, and conferences related to mental health care.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with patients.

Expertise in various therapeutic techniques 

Ability to diagnose mental health disorders and develop treatment plans.

High level of empathy and compassion, with a non-judgmental approach to patients.

Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information.

Crisis intervention and problem-solving skills.

Cultural competence and sensitivity when working with diverse populations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A minimum of 2.5 years working with at-risk youth and their families.

Must be a registered or certified Substance Use Counselor through an accredited institution such as CAADE or CCAPP, and complete all annual requirements to maintain registration/certification.

Knowledge of youth services in San Francisco from which clients can benefit.

Experience working with youth and their families, youth within the juvenile justice system, youth with disabilities, youth with co-occurring disorders, and/or gang-affiliated, etc.

Experience in clinical treatment, healing arts, and intervention techniques/approaches to youth development

A Master's degree or higher in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related field (e.g., MSW, MFT, LPC).

Specialized certifications or licenses depending on the country or state (e.g., Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)).

Prior experience working with individuals dealing with mental health disorders, ideally in a clinical, outpatient, or hospital setting.

HCN’s Community Culture

Of all the above important qualifications, bring the heartfelt quality of compassion, with exquisite cultural responsiveness as a primary guiding quality, not only of your professional life, but of what you hold dear.

Please bring a strong analysis of how race, ethnicity, culture, language, region, poverty, sexual and gender identity, age, education, opportunities and resources generationally made available or not, and systemic oppressions impact a person’s mental health.

Please have stories of your own life and how you have been a mover and shaker to transform these systems.

Please accept that HCN is a vibrant community that has a legacy that is of interest to you, and is also prompted to grow steadily, and with the respect of what has been done well central in the conversation.