The Safer Foundation is a social service provider to individuals with arrest and conviction records. Through a full range of services, including case management, educational instruction and advocacy, we focus on preparing individuals for the world of work by helping them find and keep productive and meaningful employment.

General Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Clinical Services -Treatment, the Clinical Counselor is responsible for conducting the initial clinical assessments, treatment plans, and facilitating individual/group education and therapy for residents with substance use and mental health needs identified at intake or throughout their stay at Crossroads and North Lawndale Adult Transitional Centers and in the community.

Performance Results Description

The Position is properly performed when all essential duties and responsibilities are executed by following the Safer Values.

Exceeding Expectations, Communication and Collaboration, Integrity, and Evidence Based Innovation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Stakeholder Interface and Service

• Conduct assessments using ASAM Patient Placement Criteria and treatment plans, obtaining information about the individual, including 1) strengths 2) presenting needs, and 3) underlying needs; develop a plan with the client to address identified needs, including key parties to engage.
• Facilitate group therapy, individual sessions at a minimum of 1hr, 1x a month, and group education sessions for residents admitted to treatment or in need of preventive support[SR1] .
• Conduct drug education classes for all new incoming residents on a variety of topics pertaining to substance use and mental health.
• Coordinate with community-based treatment team and programming, correctional case managers, adult transition center leadership, correctional officers, medical staff, and other staff to receive referrals of residents identified as having substance use treatment needs and who can benefit from treatment.
• Participate in integrated staffing internally and externally as appropriate to ensure coordination amongst other programs and providers that the resident is involved in.
• Coordinate with stakeholders on residents’ participation and progress as appropriate.
• Follow correctional security and operational procedures and protocols.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Stakeholder Outreach and Recruitment

• Follow-up on referrals in a timely manner, within 24-72 hours, to maximize client motivations and readiness to engage.

Tracking, Document, and Reporting

• Document all assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, individual and group therapy session notes, and discharge plans for each resident assigned to your caseload.
• Ensure treatment plans and discharge plans reflect other programming or services the resident is receiving from other teams or staff at Safer Foundation or partner providers.
• Conduct quarterly internal quality assurance audits.
• Document all client interactions in a timely manner.
• Utilize Salesforce and Carelogic as the main platforms for data entry.
• Report issues to the Director of Clinical Services along with root causes and solutions as needed.
• Respond to requests from the Director of Clinical Services or other management team members concerning reports or services.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues on mutual clients.
• And any other duties needed to help drive our vision, fulfill our mission, and abide by our organization's values.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Minimum of 2 years experience serving individuals living with substance use conditions required.
• Minimum of 1-year experience serving justice-impacted individuals preferred.
• Emotional self-awareness: Possesses knowledge of personal strengths, weaknesses, and triggers, as well as the ability to self-regulate emotions.[SD1]
• Able to operate in a team setting.
• Ability to de-escalate crisis; bring potential resources to the team to help clients; coordinate with leads on specific issues and more.[SD2]
• knowledge of, experience with, evidenced-based practices concerning substance use conditions, harm reduction principles, and treatment modalities.
• knowledge of characteristics and interventions concerning the justice-involved population.
• Strong ethical principles and display of personal and professional boundaries- confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to pay attention to detail, prioritize, and multitask.
• Knowledge of issues concerning Medicaid and access to care in Illinois desired.
• Applied knowledge of Illinois Administrative Rule 2060, 42 CFR Part 2, and HIPAA.[SD3]
• Experience using an electronic health record system and/or case management system desired.
• Hands-on experience and self-sufficiency with Microsoft productivity tools, including Outlook (for email), Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), and online collaboration tools (video conferencing, Zoom/Teams, messaging).

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field (sociology, social work, psychology, criminal justice, etc.) is required.
• A master’s degree in counseling or social work is a plus.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience working at a social service organization
• Lived expertise will be considered if the applicant can demonstrate applicable experience doing similar work.
• 1-year experience in case management/wrap-around services

Licenses and or Certifications:

• Certification as a CADC required.
• Licensure as a LSW, LPC, LCSW, or LCPC or higher-level credential is a plus.
• Certification and licensure 2 years post-employment is a plus.

Benefits:

• Medical Insurance – Care for you and eligible family members
  • Choice of two (2) Medical Plan options from BlueCross BlueShield
  • Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
  • Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
• Dental Insurance – Offered by BCBS
  • Individual coverage 100% paid by Safer!
    • Eligible family coverage available
• Vision – “See” how Safer cares for your eye health
  • Low-cost co-pays for in-network exam, frames & contacts

• Life Insurance – Protection for you & your family
  • Basic Life (equal to 1.5 times your salary.)
  • 100% paid by Safer!

• 
  403b Retirement Plan – Helping you save for retirement
  • Generous Company match to help you save more!

• 
  Vacation & Holidays – Refresh, rewind, & enjoy at Safer!
  • Vacation days (non-manager)
  • Company Holidays (2025); more than industry standard
  • Paid Leave Days
    
• Other Benefits & Perks -adding value to You!
  • Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
  • Benefits such as Pet Insurance, Critical Illness, & Travel