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Search Completed: The DC Center is looking for a Psychotherapist/Program Director

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Update (November 2023): We have found our new team member and the search is complete!

The DC Center is looking to hire a Psychotherapist/Program Director for Behavioral Health Services and the DC Anti-Violence Project

You can apply by submitting your resume and cover letter to info@thedccenter.org after reading the full job description below. We are accepting applications through October 9, 2023.

Psychotherapist/Program Director
Behavioral Health Services and the DC Anti-Violence Project
The DC Center for the LGBTQ+ Community 

The DC Center LGBTQ+ Community Center has a mission of educating, empowering, uplifting, celebrating, elevating and connecting the LGBTQ+ community of Washington, DC. The Psychotherapist/Program Director position leads the Behavioral Health Services Team and the DC Anti-Violence Project to assist in the DC Center mission by offering trauma-informed individual and group counseling, case management, advocacy and empowerment to LGBTQ+ survivors of violence, abuse and trauma, and LGBTQ+ expertise to partnering providers in the DMV District. These services are available free-of-charge to our community members due to grant funding from the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants (OVSJG). The Psychotherapist/Program Director Position reports to the Executive Director. 

Skills & Experience

  • Appropriate licensure to practice clinical mental health therapy in DC and MD (examples: LICSW, LGSW, LMSW, LPC)
  • At least 2 years’ experience working as a clinician with diverse client populations
  • At least 2 years’ experience in program coordination or management
  • At least 2 years’ experience in overseeing or supervising others
  • Experience working with LGBQ+, TGNC, BIPOC adults
  • Demonstrated ability to problem-solve and communicate at all levels verbally as well as in writing
  • Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships, both with colleagues and with key stakeholders in the larger victim-serving network of Washington, DC
  • Prior nonprofit/grant management experience
  • Experience working professionally with a diverse team
  • Organizational skills suited to multitasking in a fast-paced environment. 

Bilingual capabilities are strongly preferred, but not required. 

Please note that this position does not have on-site clinical supervision. If the Psychotherapist/Program Director wishes to pursue clinical supervision, they can do so with support from a budgeted amount in the contractor budget line, as per the DC Anti-Violence Project grant award. 

Functions and Duties

  • Provide programmatic direction and support to BHS/DCAVP team members
  • Deliver trauma-informed, culturally competent crisis and short-term individual and group mental health support services to LGBTQ+ survivors of violence, abuse and trauma who seek services with the DC Center
  • Conduct intake assessments with all new potential clients to assess safety, job status, financial resources, living arrangements, current support system, type and history of victimization, legal issues, related medical history, and clinical symptomatology to determine appropriate treatment approaches 
  • Assess clients in crisis and provide necessary intervention (safety plans, hospitalization, referrals, etc.)
  • Provide clients with LGBTQ-friendly and affirming referrals to community-based services, aimed at assisting individuals affected by crime, violence and trauma
  • Keep current and accurate records of all clinical interactions in our clinical database system
  • Provide community-based expert consultations, training and collaborations in line with OVSJG grant requirements  
  • Manage grant deliverables for the OVSJG grant throughout the fiscal year — quarterly and annual reports, stats collection and coordinate annual grant applications
  • Work in partnership with The DC Anti-Violence Project community members to further the mission, vision, and values of DCAVP
  • Oversee Case Management & Advocacy Specialist’s community advocacy work with the DC Anti-Violence Project
  • Help facilitate an open, supportive, and warm environment for all individuals who visit The DC Center

Salary range $65,000 – $75,000.

Position includes health insurance, vacation and personal leave benefits.

 

Meet the Board: Preston Hawes

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Join the DC Center in welcoming our newest Board Member: Preston Hawes!
We are estatic to have him on our team.

Read all about Preston’s background, interests, and inspirations below:

Where are you originally from and how long have you been in DC?

I’m originally from rural Saskatchewan, Canada, having grown up on my parents hobby farm. I moved to NYC initially in 2001 to attend the Mannes College of Music, however my dorm was about 3 blocks from the WTC when the events of 9/11 unfolded. So I briefly moved back to Canada before relocating to the DC area in 2002. DC has been home-base since then, even while taking some time away for grad school and doctoral studies.

Please summarize in a short paragraph or two your interests and how they relate to serving on the Board. What impact do you see yourself having?

One would think that the arena of classical music is one where people are accepted and celebrated regardless of gender, race, age, or sexual orientation. As I traversed the globe working as a violin soloist, I sadly saw how wrong I was and how much work there was to do to ensure that artistic spaces are representative, that access to training, visibility, and professional opportunity is equitable.

Focusing my own artistic expression more as a service to community (as opposed to the self-serving climb up the professional ladder) has helped me learn better where and when to take a seat to simply listen and learn; thus shifting the spotlight. This revealed to me a beautiful and stunning world of limitless talent and vision, driven by jaw-dropping tenacity from people – particularly within the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities – who don’t have the funding, the platform, or general support from society that mainstream artists blithely enjoy.

I hope that as a member of the Board I can help focus our efforts in a way that will elevate these communities, bringing them much deserved visibility, access, support, and opportunity.

What is your favorite spot in DC and what do you do there?

I feel so fortunate to live near Rock Creek Park. And being a forest creature myself, I spent months discovering the intricately winding trails in the northern section of RCP during COVID shutdowns. You can find me wandering on my favorite trails when I need a refresh.

What artistic influences inspire you, such as singers, bands, etc.?

I’m a huge fan of house, western classical music, indy and global/folk music, and I’m constantly in awe by the genius of our local DC dj’s. As a violinist, I get to perform on fine violins created in the 17th and 18th Century that over hundreds of years have traveled the globe being played by other violinists who paved the way for us now. So I’m often thinking about what sort of history our talented artists are making today, and I feel so grateful to be in a city where I’m able to witness such a wide variety of talent at work creating that history.

Who do you admire in the LGBTQ+ community?

Resilience! The LGBTQ+ community has endured – even thrived – while being treated as second class citizens, while being denied equal rights, while being shunned and judged by people and institutions who either don’t care to understand or haven’t yet had a meaningful personal opportunity to confront the reality of discrimination that their queer family members, loved ones, friends, co-workers, etc. face every day. The LGBTQ+ community has for untold generations been sidelined, gaslit, guilted, and murdered but still refuses to be silenced; it absorbs that hate, and without accepting it, transforms it into artful beams of love and light that envelop the world and draw in those who need it most.

What are you most excited about regarding the future of the DC Center?

I’m most excited to see it strengthen its visibility, accessibility, and reach. Even with all it already does, there is so much potential for impactful work we can do. I’m excited to be a part of that!

Case Management & Advocacy Specialist Position Available

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Case Management & Advocacy Specialist
The DC Center for the LGBT Community

The DC Center for the LGBT Community is hiring! 

Since 2003, the DC Center has worked to educate, empower, celebrate, and connect the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities in the District. We envision communities where LGBTQ+ people feel healthy, safe, and affirmed. The DC Anti-Violence Project (DCAVP), a program of the DC Center founded in 2008, works to reduce violence against LGBTQ+ individuals (and those perceived as LGBTQ+) through case management, advocacy, crisis intervention, community outreach, education, and individual and group counseling.

Position Summary
The DCAVP is seeking a community-based trauma-informed mental health professional to serve as our Case Management and Advocacy Specialist (CMA). The CMA provides case management and advocacy for LGBTQ+ survivors of trauma, violence, and abuse in the DMV area. The CMA also provides community leadership in collaboration with survivor services providers to strengthen appropriate and effective response of LGBTQ+ competent service provision to LGBTQ+ trauma survivors in the District. The CMA works directly with community members individually via email, phone, HIPAA-compliant Zoom and in person, works as a member of the Behavioral Health Services (BHS) team supporting two licensed mental health clinicians in connecting BHS clients to needed services and works as a team member of the DC Center.

Skills and Experience

  • Licensure to practice case management or mental health services in DMV
  • Minimum 2 years’ experience working as a trauma-informed case manager and advocate with a diverse client population
  • Experience working with LGBTQ+ adult clients
  • Crisis assessment, intervention and referral experience
  • Experience working in an interdisciplinary community center setting
  • Experience conducting and maintaining outreach to other service agencies for direct referral pathways for warm-handoffs of clients for services
  • Knowledge about substance abuse, mental illness, housing issues, and intersecting systems of oppression 
  • Experience in providing telehealth via Zoom HIPAA-compliant video platform as well as in-person service provision
  • Ethical, intercultural client care and community relationship skills
  • Ability to problem solve and communicate at all verbal and written levels
  • Experience working well as a team member
  • Prior nonprofit experience

Functions and Duties

  • Be the point of contact and triage for those who contact the DC Center seeking mental health assistance, case management and advocacy
  • Provide trauma-informed and interculturally competent case management assistance to LGBTQ+ survivors of trauma, violence and abuse in accessing appropriate organizations and providers for services 
  • Provide email/phone/drop-in and virtual response to and follow-up with clients’ requests for advocacy, info & referral and warm-handoffs 
  • Provide client crisis intervention and referrals to appropriate support systems (safety plans, hospitalization, referrals, etc.) 
  • Build and maintain an LGBTQ+ friendly providers network of competent, trauma-informed, culturally diverse mental health support services partners 
  • Facilitate the monthly community meetings of the DCAVP and manage the outreach and advocacy activities
  • Write and coordinate DCAVP Community Impact Statements to support hate bias cases, in partnership with the US Attorney’s Office
  • Respond to requests for DCAVP collaboration and expertise on LGBTQ+ client needs and best practices with the partnering organizations in the District
  • Assist with quarterly reports and other grant deliverables for the OVSJG grant throughout the fiscal year
  • Utilize EHR and calendaring systems for accurate records of all clinical and non-clinical interactions using the protocols of BHS and The DC Center
  • Work well with an interdisciplinary staff team to facilitate effective communications, team support and warm hospitality in the setting of an actively utilized community center. 

Please send qualified resumes with cover letters to supportdesk@thedccenter.org.  Salary range is within $48,000-$50,000. The position includes health insurance, vacation and personal leave benefits. Position is grant-funded annually (Oct 1 through Sept 31). Open until filled.

The DC Center Board of Directors Appoints Kimberley Bush As Executive Director

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The DC Center Board Of Directors is excited to announce the official appointment of Kimberley Bush as The DC Center’s Executive Director.

The DC Center Board Chair Andrew Zapfel states “The Board greatly appreciates Kimberley’s steadfast & effective leadership, deep compassion and extraordinary perseverance as she has been able to successfully continue our work in such unprecedented times. We look forward to her continued leadership as we enter this new era of the DC Center.”

Click here to read our announcement in Metro Weekly Magazine

Binder Donation Project

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The DC Center is excited to continue their partnership with GC2B Transitional Apparel! GC2B has reached out to many organizations in the DC area and provided free binders for them to give away, and the DC Center is fortunate enough to be one of them.  This program is ending soon though so get your Binders soon.

Everyone and anyone is welcome to come by the DC Center at any point during regular office hours (12-6 pm Monday through Friday and 11-3PM on Saturday) and get fitted for a free binder!

Sizes range from XS to 5X depending on what we have available

We have received 50+ binders from GC2B! If your size is unfortunately not available you can order one directly from GC2B

This is a no-gatekeeping event. Whoever you are, whatever you look like, whatever you need your binder for, come by the DC Center and pick up what you need for FREE!

Questions? Call the DC Center at 202-682-2245 or email supportdesk@thedccenter.org

Also please visit the GC2B website here and support them by buying their merch if you can or spreading the word.

Trans and Nonbinary Passport Research Study $50 Reward

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The government is changing the US Passport application to be more inclusive of non-binary and Trans people.  A researcher with the National Center of Health Statistics to CDC would like to test the new application.  They need to test the forms on non-binary and Trans people (ages 18 and over). In particular, non-binary and trans people of color with lower Social Economic Status. The new passport application will be tested via ZOOM in a 60 minute cognitive interview and participants will receive $50. They are required by law to keep all participants information completely confidential.

For more information please contact Amanda Titus – Behavioral Scientist at the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) atitus@cdc.gov (301)458-4579

Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington presents – LGBTQ+ Postnatal Group

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Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington presents –
LGBTQ+ Postnatal Group:

“This group is specifically designed for the LGBTQ+ community who have welcomed a new baby into their family in the past year. Our goal is to create a space that fosters a supportive community for new parents. We welcome birthing, adoptive or gestational carrier LGBTQ+ families who are within the first year of their baby’s life. You can attend this group as a the birthing person, partner, alone or together.
This free, biweekly group is led by Mel Kennedy. Mel is an experienced doula in the DMV, a student midwife, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Registration includes yourself + a support person (free). Offered on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month at 10:30am-12pm.”

Register Here:

Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington presents: LGBTQ+ Prenatal Group

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Breastfeeding Center for Greater Washington presents
LGBTQ+ Prenatal Group:

“This group is specifically designed for the LGBTQ+ community preparing to welcome a baby into their family. Our goal is to create a space that fosters a supportive community for soon-to-be parents. We welcome birthing, adoptive or gestational carrier LGBTQ+ families who are at any stage of pregnancy. You can attend this group as a pregnant person, partner, alone or together.
This free, biweekly group is led by Mel Kennedy. Mel is an experienced doula in the DMV, a student midwife, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Registration for this group includes includes yourself + a support person (free). Offered on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month at 7-8:30pm”

Register here:

Visit our Free Food Pantry

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Please stop by our Free Food Pantry. With the ongoing food shortages and struggles with Covid if you’re in need please pick up some food from the DC Center Free Food Pantry. We have all kinds of food ranging from green beans, tuna, corn, soups, pastas, to cereals and more. All of our food have expiration dates clearly marked. Don’t go hungry this winter. We have 2 cabinets full just like the one in this picture. We’re here to help everyone in our LGBTQ family. All are welcome! 

Free Community Closet

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Come visit our Free Community Closet. We have racks of shirts, pants, dresses, bras, skirts, suits, sneakers, socks shoes…all kinds of apparel…you name it we probably got it.  We also accept donations please email supportdesk@thedccenter.org if you are interested in donating.