Since our opening in 1987, New Hope Treatment Centers has been a welcoming place for young people in moments of crisis. The Behavior Support Coach serves as a direct care behavioral health professional within a specialized high-acuity behavioral health program for justice-involved youth with significant mental health, trauma, substance use, emotional regulation, and suicide-risk concerns. Working under the direction of program leadership and the interdisciplinary treatment team, the Behavior Support Coach provides continuous therapeutic supervision, behavioral coaching, crisis intervention, skill development, and milieu management. The position is responsible for implementing treatment interventions within the residential setting, reinforcing clinical recommendations, promoting safety, and maintaining a structured, trauma-responsive environment that supports stabilization and successful transition.
The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Develop therapeutic relationships with youth through consistent engagement, active listening, mentoring, and professional role modeling.
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Implement individualized behavior support plans and reinforce therapeutic interventions developed by therapists and the treatment team.
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Teach and reinforce emotional regulation, problem-solving, communication, conflict resolution, and healthy decision-making skills during daily interactions.
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Provide immediate behavioral coaching following incidents to help youth process events, identify triggers, and practice alternative coping strategies.
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Utilize evidence-based behavior management techniques including positive reinforcement, redirection, motivational strategies, and restorative approaches.
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Encourage accountability while maintaining dignity, respect, and a strengths-based approach.
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Provide continuous supervision of youth during all assigned shifts, including school transitions, meals, recreation, groups, appointments, hygiene, and bedtime routines.
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Maintain a safe, structured, predictable, and therapeutic living environment that promotes healing and recovery.
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Identify environmental factors contributing to behavioral escalation and proactively modify the milieu to reduce risk.
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Reinforce unit expectations, daily schedules, behavioral incentives, and therapeutic routines while maintaining consistency across shifts.
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Conduct room checks, safety rounds, and environmental observations in accordance with program policy.
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Recognize early warning signs of behavioral escalation, suicidal ideation, self-harm, aggression, anxiety, and emotional distress.
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Utilize trauma-informed verbal de-escalation and least restrictive interventions to prevent crises whenever possible.
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Assist with implementation of individualized safety plans and therapeutic crisis interventions.
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Respond appropriately to behavioral and medical emergencies while following DJJ, New Hope, and regulatory requirements.
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Participate in post-crisis debriefings and provide objective observations to assist with treatment planning and quality improvement.
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Apply trauma-responsive principles in every interaction to minimize re-traumatization and promote emotional safety.
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Recognize the impact of adverse childhood experiences on behavior and interpersonal functioning.
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Support youth in identifying triggers, warning signs, coping skills, and protective factors.
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Model calm, predictable, and emotionally regulated interactions during routine care and crisis situations.
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Communicate significant behavioral observations, safety concerns, and progress toward goals during shift reports and multidisciplinary meetings.
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Collaborate with therapists, nurses, psychiatric providers, case managers, educators, recreation therapists, and DJJ staff to ensure consistent interventions.
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Provide meaningful input regarding youth strengths, barriers, behavioral trends, and treatment engagement.
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Complete timely, accurate, objective documentation including shift notes, behavioral observations, safety checks, incident reports, and required program documentation.
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Maintain compliance with DJJ standards, Medicaid requirements, Joint Commission standards, COA standards, HIPAA, and organizational policies.
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Document youth progress toward individualized behavioral goals and therapeutic objectives.
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High school diploma or GED required
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Minimum one year of experience working with adolescents in juvenile justice, behavioral health, residential treatment, crisis services, or psychiatric settings preferred.
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Knowledge of trauma-informed care, adolescent development, crisis intervention, and behavior management.
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Current CPR/First Aid and Handle With Care, Ukeru, or equivalent crisis intervention certification preferred or ability to obtain upon hire.
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Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Human Services, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Education, or a related field preferred.
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Experience working with children, adolescents, or individuals in behavioral health, residential treatment, or human services settings.
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Familiarity with North Carolina behavioral health regulations and service systems.
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Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
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Ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain organized records.
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Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
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Professional judgment, discretion, and ethical conduct.
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Proficiency with electronic health records and standard office technology.
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Work is performed in an environment that may involve exposure to emotionally distressed individuals.
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Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and use standard office equipment.
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Ability to respond to crisis situations, which may require quick movement.
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Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
