The Bridge Middle School Program

Therapeutic Director (LCSW or LPC Required)

Job Description

Educators for Quality Alternatives (EQA)

EQA is a New Orleans nonprofit with the mission of providing struggling students with the skills, confidence and experiences to succeed in the education and career paths of their choice.

The organization currently runs three alternative high schools: The NET:Central City, The NET:Gentilly, and The NET: East; and a middle school: The Bridge.  EQA Schools exists for students who have dropped out of, been expelled from, or who have otherwise struggled in a traditional school setting.  

EQA programs are built on the belief that alternative schools should not punish or “fix” young people; they should be vibrant, flexible, and restorative environments that support students in being their best selves.

The Bridge Middle School Program launched in August 2019 to serve 7th and 8th grade students during their expulsion terms.  The program is rooted in restorative and therapeutic practices:  students participate in intensive behavioral, social, and academic support and work to build skills that will help them transition successfully back to their home school.

Position Summary

The Bridge seeks a highly skilled therapist to provide individual, family and group counseling to its students  and to lead The Bridge’s therapeutic team and trauma-informed school setting. 

The Bridge’s Therapeutic Director is responsible for:

• Assessing student needs and developing Individual student plans
• Facilitating transitions into and out of the program 
• Providing individual, group and family therapy
• Managing crisis prevention and interventions
• Liaising with outside providers to insure wrap around supports
• Coaching, developing, and managing counselors and therapists
• Modeling collaborative, servant leadership
• Constantly developing your craft

Position Requirements:

Education & Experience

• 5+ years experience working with young people with significant trauma 
• 2+ years experience managing staff and leading programming in therapeutic settings
• Valid Louisiana license of LCSW or LPC required: please include a copy of your license when applying

Skills & Approach

• Passion for improving educational opportunities for urban students and for being a part of a strong, mission-driven team
• Ability to support and manage students and staff during period of crisis and high stress
• Commitment to EQA’s mission, vision and values
• Excellent organization, communication, interpersonal skills
• Flexible and learning mindset dedicated to effectively & innovatively problem solving

Details:

• Start Date: July 2026
• Location: New Orleans East Opportunity Center: 12000 Hayne Blvd, New Orleans 70128
• Schedule: School is year-round with a generous leave schedule.
• Salary: Initial salary is set based on years of experience, certification, and degrees. Future salary increases are based on performance and responsibilities.
• Benefits: Comprehensive benefits and 403b retirement plan
• Reports to: The Bridge Principal 

For more information, visit: www.eqaschools.org

Detailed Responsibilities

Assess Student Needs and Develop Individual Student Plans

• Complete psycho-social assessments informed by knowledge of the impact of race, gender and social injustice on the family and youth.
• Effectively and appropriately assess needs, characteristics, and interactions of students, families, staff, and community
• Develop an Individual Student Plan with the student, family, and staff which will guide their journey through the school
• Use DSM V and current research to accurately assess student needs
• Conduct compliant and productive Functional Behavior Assessments on each student
• Maintain electronic and paper records of assessments and share with students, families, and staff as appropriate to insure empowerment and appropriate interventions and in keeping with confidentiality mandates

Facilitate transitions into and out of the program 

• Develop and conduct effective transition  meetings with families, students, home school staff and bridge staff
• Work with each student to create their “transition manual” 
• Provide appropriate information and supports to home school to insure students transition back successfully

Provide individual, group and family therapy

• Provide high quality individual counseling using cognitive behavioral therapy or other best practices
• Design and provide high quality group counseling around student needs including, but not limited to, grief, trauma, substance abuse, conflict resolution, anger management using C-BITs and other best practices
• Engage families, do home visits, mediate with family members and otherwise include families in students’ growth and development
• Provide all services in ways that build upon students’ individual strengths and assets and maximize students’ opportunities for agency their healing/growth
• Maintain all case notes and records for the Bridge, sending schools, and Medicaid reimbursements

Manage crisis prevention and interventions

•   In collaboration with students, families, and staff, design crisis plans for high needs students
• Train students and staff to handle crisis in safe, restorative, and appropriate ways
• Support students and families through crisis and liaison with all parties to insure student receives the supports they need during and after the crisis

Liaison with outside providers to insure wrap around supports

• Research and vet resources and build partnerships with high quality providers
• Collaborate with team to insure all students are connected with appropriate referrals, supports and resources
• Track referral outcomes and advocate for students and families to insure they receive appropriate care
•  Assists students in accessing formal and informal community resources

Coach, develop, and manage counselors and therapeutic team

• Manage and develop classroom counselors and other therapeutic staff members
• Work with the Principal to develop all staff in therapeutic practices
• Design and provide both group and individualized professional development which is responsive and tailored to school-wide and  teacher-specific needs
• Provide continual feedback, support, and hold team members accountable for helping students grow and meet their goals

Model collaborative, servant leadership

• Practice EQA Operating Values and the EQA Leadership Framework
• Participate in leadership develop opportunities and hone your skillfulness
• Productively participate in school decisions to insure fidelity to mission and vision
• Provide support and back up for Principal and others as needed
• Provide high quality consultation for long term strategic planning

Constantly Develop your Craft

• Collect, communicate, and analyze student records and data to insure appropriate student progress
• Conform to the National Association of Social Work Code of Ethics and Standards for School Social Work practice
• Maintain appropriate communication and confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, FERPA, state law and school policy.
• Set goals for student development and professional growth
• Actively reflect on your own work and monitor progress toward goals
• Productively seek, give, and use feedback
• Positively contribute to the school’s collegial community
• Participate in all scheduled professional development activities and seek out additional opportunities
• Involve yourself in the continual development and improvement of the school’s curriculum, culture, and program.