12-Month position

The Foundation Schools is a special education day school which delivers innovative school programs and support services for children and adolescents with emotional disabilities, other disabilities and learning challenges. For over 40 years, the combination of academic support and therapeutic services has given our students a chance to reach their full potential. The Foundation Schools has schools in Gaithersburg, Largo and Landover, Maryland that serve over 200 students in grades K-12. 

The mission of The Foundation Schools is to provide a highly specialized educational and therapeutic program for students preparing them to be productive and successful in their future academic and career paths. The Foundation Schools employs special education strategies and techniques to provide quality instruction that results in the students’ mastery of approved curriculum and that promotes social, emotional and cognitive learning. We effectively manage student behavior through implementation of behavior management systems, school rules and policies.

Our Core Values’ provide a strong foundation for our programs, are integrated into our positive behavior intervention system, drive our actions and guide our staff and students daily to TWIRL (Teamwork, Work Ethic, Integrity, Respect, and Leadership). We offer a supportive working environment with small class sizes and excellent resources.

The Foundation Schools offers a comprehensive benefit package including tuition assistance and a generous retirement package. Visit our website at www.foundationschools.org for more information.

SUMMARY

Program Therapists (Therapists) at The Foundation Schools employ appropriate therapeutic strategies and techniques to promote social, emotional, and academic growth with the goal of improving the students’ ability to access curriculum and be available for learning. Therapists must provide related services in accordance with the students’ IEPs. They provide case management for students by collaborating with parents, guardians, and outside agencies. Therapists effectively manage student behavior through implementation of behavior management systems, school rules, policies, and procedures.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Employ clinical strategies and techniques to provide appropriate therapeutic interventions to encourage students to be school ready Ensure counseling and behavioral support service requirements are met to maintain 100% compliance with students’ IEPs and requirements are rendered as prescribed on the IEP

Demonstrate knowledge of and the ability to adapt a variety of therapeutic interventions and behavior management practices to meet the needs of individual students; evaluate therapeutic effectiveness, document, and make modifications based on data, reflection and feedback

Assess the need for emergency petitions; ensure procedures are followed and documentation is completed accurately Conduct student functional behavioral assessments (FBAs)

Provide case management for students by collaborating with parents, guardians, and outside agencies; make appropriate referrals for needed services and look for new resources that support students’ social and emotional growth

Maintain a safe and therapeutic area that is conducive to counseling

Participate in the development and monitoring of students’ IEPs, BIPs, and FBAs including completion of required documentation within set guidelines

Complete required related service notes and billing documentation accurately and within assigned deadlines; ensure Medicaid forms are completed by parents/guardians

Provide clinical supervision to the dedicated aides assigned to the students on their caseloads to help the dedicated aides understand the students’ social, emotional, and academic profile; collaborate with these dedicated aides to develop and implement specialized interventions and incentive plans as needed

Monitor students’ attendance and truancy; develop incentive plans to address issues as needed; assess the need for and make appropriate referrals to the Links program

Demonstrate an understanding of how our students’ disabilities impact their behavior and ability to learn; display knowledge of students’ diagnoses and adapt intervention strategies accordingly to meet the requirements of the students’ IEPs and BIPs Education,

EXPERIENCE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, psychiatric nursing or other related field is required

Current Maryland clinical license is required; LCPC and LCSW-C are preferred MSDE School Social Worker certification or eligibility for MSDE School Social Worker certification (LGSW or LCSW-C only)

Three or more years of successful clinical experience working with children and/or adolescents in a school setting is preferred Knowledge of DSM and IDEA and their specific applications to educating students with special education needs and emotional and other disabilities preferred

Bilingual (Spanish/English) abilities are a plus