Direct Care Staff

FSRI is always looking for candidates that want to make a positive impact on the community! 

Position Summary: Milieu Counselors are responsible for providing direct care, guidance, support and supervision of adolescent female residents between the ages of thirteen (13) and twenty (20) who are involved with the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families in a residential setting.

FSRI provides strengths-based, trauma-informed residential interventions designed to help adolescents build on their strengths, develop healthy relationships and coping skills, and move toward greater stability and independence. Services include an assessment and screening center that provides short-term, structured assessment and stabilization, as well as three semi-independent living programs that support youth in developing the skills, confidence, and connections needed for successful transition to adulthood and community living.

Milieu Counselors work closely with the clinical and residential teams to implement treatment plans, manage daily routines, and support residents in achieving their individual goals. This role helps create a safe, structured, and trauma-informed environment that promotes emotional, behavioral, social, and independent living skill development. Milieu Counselors work closely with the clinical and residential teams to implement treatment plans, manage daily routines, and support residents in achieving their individual goals.  Responsible for the implementation and maintenance of Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) in the milieu setting.

SPECIFIC DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides services in a culturally responsive and inclusive manner that respects each individual's and family's cultural background, identity, values, language, beliefs, abilities, and preferences.
• Provide direct, hands-on support and supervision for youth throughout their daily routines.
• Interact with residents to engage and build positive, professional relationships with residents through consistency, trust, and respect.
• Complete TST training and adhere to TST model of treatment which includes moment by moment assessment, emotional regulation skills building and TST phase-based treatment throughout the milieu.
• Participate in ongoing training in Trauma Systems Therapy and other evidence-based practices.
• Maintain consistency and structure within the program adhering to the daily schedule and program rules.
• Maintains a positive environment for both residents and staff.
• Facilitate daily groups, including but not limited to personal hygiene, physical activities, budgeting, meal preparation, and community/independent living skills.
• Meet daily tasks of household management: menu planning and preparation, housekeeping (cleanliness and safety), grocery shopping, sleeping arrangements, etc.
• Encourage residents’ participation and engagement in recreational/educational activities within the program or out in the community.
• Oversee and monitor the resident’s completion of daily chores and use of telephone in accordance with residential rules.
• Maintain professional and administrative documentation (Credible) in accordance with agency standards and within established guidelines and time frames (Shift Notes, Incident reports, Logs etc.).
• Establish and maintain a positive professional relationship with families, other social service providers, community trades people, neighbors and volunteers who affect the daily operation of the program and the residents residing there.
• Transport residents to appointments as required and to obtain appropriate documentation/information as necessary.
• Attend staff meetings, in-service training/workshops, or any special meeting required.
• Provide emergency or crisis intervention techniques, such as passive physical restraint, when necessary, utilizing the Handle with Care (HWC) Behavior Management Model.
• Model professional and ethical behavior within the residential programs.
• Adhere to all requirements as mandated by contractual agreements and as set forth in state regulatory manuals.
• Provide coverage/emergency support to other residential programs as required.
• Drive company vehicles to transport client’s to and from events. 
• Responsible for distribution of any necessary medications in accordance with FSRI medication management policies and procedures.
• Act as an advocate for the children/adolescents.
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree in a field related to Human Services, or significant residential/childcare experience is preferred, however FSRI is willing to consider candidate who have some combination of education and experience.
• Willingness and capability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends as scheduled.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial and socioeconomic issues.
• Capabilities to implement appropriate child management techniques, which may include use of passive physical restraint.  
• Excellent communication skills. 
• Requires valid driver’s license, reliable transportation with a minimum of 3 seats in addition to the driver’s seat and proof of required automobile documentation.
• Employees may be scheduled to work shifts less than three hours in any work day, to attend required staff meetings, which are agreed to in advance by the parties.
• Bilingual/ASL skills are compensated by an additional 6%, above base pay.
• Multilingual skills are compensated by an additional 8%, above base pay.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (With or without reasonable accommodation):

This position requires community visits, employees in this position must have the ability to:

• Travel to and from community locations and residential site locations, which could include using walkways, stairs and/or elevators.
• Ability to utilize a computer and Electronic Medical Record to complete documentation. 
• Ability to lift up to 20lbs.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to push or pull 10 lbs or more
• Ability to pick up 10 lbs or more
• Ability to perform physical intervention if clients present a threat to themselves or others.

Don’t meet every single requirement?  Here at FSRI, we’re dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you’re excited about one of our career opportunities, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be the perfect fit for this or another opportunity! 

We offer our employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental and work life benefits.
Only together can we continue to grow and make a difference in our communities.
Join our FAMILY today!

Family Service of RI (FSRI) is a statewide organization with a 130 year track record of improving the health and well-being of children and families. We are passionate about our mission to advance opportunity and hope. FSRI’s diverse and inclusive teams – working across the Health, Healing, Home and Hope divisions, are experts in their fields, delivering strategies to positively impact lives. We provide services statewide, and currently operate in three locations in Providence; and four locations in East Providence, Smithfield and North Smithfield. 

Family Service of Rhode Island provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

FSRI determines pay based on a candidate's relevant and transferable experience, certifications, licenses, degree and language ability.