The Bilingual Mental Health Juvenile Justice Liaison Intern will provide mental health assessment, linkage and referral services, case management services, community support services, and short-term therapy support to youth and families currently involved in or at-risk of being involved in the Juvenile Justice System.

They will support program goals of reducing recidivism, improving wellbeing, and addressing risk to at-risk youth and youth in the juvenile justice system (8-18 years of age). This individual will partner with youth, families, and other natural supports to complete preliminary and comprehensive assessment measures and to develop goals and action plans. This individual will provide strengths-based, client-centered, and trauma-informed services to clients with mental health diagnoses and co-occurring substance abuse disorders using a youth development approach.

This position will be based out of the Albany Park office, although will have capacity to work with clients in-person offsite (e.g., school, client home, court) and remotely.

Interns are eligible for $2, 000 total in stipends ($1, 000 per semester), allocated through grant funding by the Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation and Trilogy's Chicago Youth Mental Wellness Project: Strengthening a Bilingual Spanish Workforce.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment services to youth and adults, as well as their families
• Develop individualized treatment plans with the input of the client and their team, which includes providers and natural supports. Collaborate with members of the client’s team to ensure quality of treatment and coordination of care
• Work to facilitate recommended services from the assessment and treatment plan, such as (but not limited to): counseling/therapy, family psychoeducation, educate on potential resources to meet holistic needs, linkage to entitlements, learn independent living skills, support with employment and education needs, navigate systems medical or court.
• Outreach and engage referred at-risk youth
• Serve as an advocate for client and family needs
• Assist clients in identifying signs and symptoms of decompensation. Work collaboratively with clients to identify coping skills to assist in managing symptoms and stressors experienced.
• Accompany clients to important medical/psychiatric/housing/financial appointments in the community. Interns will not transport clients in their personal vehicle (if they have daily access to a well-maintained vehicle).
• Communicate effectively within the team model for a multi-disciplinary approach to client care.
• Maintain documentation and chart in compliance with Medicaid, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Services (CARF), and agency standards
• Perform other related duties and/or projects as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or Counseling required
• Experience working with youth, young adults, and their families.
• Availability to work evenings.
• Availability to attend weekly team meetings/consultation on Tuesday mornings
• Availability to begin August 2025 until the end of May 2026
• Bilingual in Spanish required.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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