Youth Mental Health Specialist

Staff Capacity Building & Training

• Design and deliver ongoing training for staff across all six Atrius partner organizations on topics including trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, mental health literacy, youth human development (ages 10–18), and culturally responsive communication

• Attend partner staff meetings to offer real-time consultation, gather referrals, and provide resources

• Establish a cross-organizational learning circle where staff share challenges, exchange ideas, and build collective knowledge around youth mental health

• Develop and maintain clear communication pathways so staff can access case consultation and guidance as needed

• Provide ongoing technical assistance on curriculum development, internal protocols, and mental health integration in programming

Youth Psychoeducation, Programming & Art-Based Approaches

• Develop and facilitate culturally responsive mental health workshops for youth that address topics identified through the organizational analysis, including stress management, generational trauma, peer relationships, healthy communication with caregivers, and identity development

• Build a toolkit of mental health and wellness resources that partner staff can integrate into existing programming, including icebreaker activities, stress regulation techniques, and structured check-in tools

• Utilize art-based approaches — including visual art, creative writing, music, and movement — as accessible, culturally resonant entry points for emotional processing, self-expression, and group connection, in collaboration with arts-focused partner organizations such as Elevated Thought and Movement City

• Collaborate with partner organizations to embed mental health themes into existing curricula in ways that align with each organization’s mission and programming model

• Develop and administer feedback tools to gather youth input and continuously refine workshop content

Community Referral & Resource Navigation

• Build and maintain active relationships with community providers, including community health centers, outpatient mental health clinics, crisis response teams, and culturally specific service providers

• Develop warm-handoff protocols with partner agencies to ensure youth and families are introduced directly to providers rather than navigating systems alone

• Create and maintain a shared resource map outlining available services, eligibility criteria, languages offered, insurance requirements, and referral processes

• Invite community partners to staff meetings and professional development sessions to strengthen referral relationships

Short-Term Direct Support for Youth

• Provide brief, targeted one-on-one support (approximately 1 week to 3 months) to youth with acute mental health and wellness needs, including experiences of loss, family stress, declining school performance, concerning behavioral changes, or safety concerns

• Deliver services using a trauma-informed, restorative justice framework that centers youth voice, cultural responsiveness, and relationship-building

• Act as a liaison to connect youth and families to longer-term community-based services and follow up to ensure connections are made

• Maintain confidential case documentation consistent with the NASW Code of Ethics and applicable legal requirements

• Develop and implement intake protocols, consent forms (English and Spanish), and mandated reporting procedures in coordination with organizational leadership and legal counsel

Family Engagement

• Design and facilitate culturally responsive programming for parents and caregivers focused on mental health literacy, reducing stigma, and strengthening communication with youth

• Partner with Atrius organizations on family-facing events and provide psychoeducation resources in both English and Spanish

Quality Improvement & Reporting

• Develop and administer annual surveys and feedback tools to assess training effectiveness, workshop impact, and ongoing gaps in youth mental health support

• Track program performance metrics, including youth served, services delivered, engagement levels, and referral outcomes

• Maintain regular communication with the Atrius Initiative Project Director to ensure services remain aligned with initiative priorities and partner needs

Qualifications & Experience

• Passion for working with youth 

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related clinical field

• Active licensure as an LICSW, LCSW, LMHC, or equivalent in Massachusetts (or license-eligible with a clear pathway to licensure)

• Minimum 2–4 years of experience providing direct clinical services to youth and/or young adults

• Demonstrated experience with trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and restorative justice frameworks

• Bilingual in English and Spanish (required)

• Deep understanding of the cultural, generational, and structural factors that shape the mental health of Latinx youth and families

• Experience facilitating group-based programming, workshops, or psychoeducation with youth

• Strong relationship-building skills with youth, families, staff, and community partners

• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, as required by the after-school program schedule

• Familiarity with Lawrence, MA,  and its network of community organizations and health providers

• Experience working in community-based, after-school, or youth development settings

• Experience with community-based participatory approaches or youth participatory action research

• Knowledge of electronic case management systems (e.g., Salesforce, Notehouse, or similar platforms)

• Experience integrating art-based or expressive arts approaches into mental health or youth development programming (e.g., visual art, creative writing, music, photography, or movement)