Mental Health Specialist Jobs at Youth Villages with Visa Sponsorship
Youth Villages hires Mental Health Specialists across residential and community-based programs, working with children and families in high-need settings. The company has a track record of sponsoring international candidates for this function, making it a realistic target if you're navigating work authorization in the behavioral health space.
See All Mental Health Specialist at Youth Villages JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 40+ Mental Health Specialist Jobs at Youth Villages jobs


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?
See all 40+ Mental Health Specialist Jobs at Youth Villages
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Mental Health Specialist Jobs at Youth Villages.
Get Access To All Jobs
For over 35 years, Youth Villages has transformed the lives of children and families nationwide through innovative, research-based programs focused on preserving and restoring families.
As a national leader in children’s mental and behavioral health, we serve more than 47,000 youth, young people, and their families annually across 29 states and Washington, D.C. Our proven treatment models drive long-term success in child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health systems. At Youth Villages, we do what works — partnering with others to expand our impact and advocate for meaningful, lasting change.
We're seeking purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference. With a dedicated team of more than 5,000 staff, Youth Villages is committed to investing in and supporting our employees by offering opportunities to build a fulfilling career through professional growth, personal development, and a mission that matters— helping children and families live successfully.
Program Overview:
Youth Villages’ Treatment Foster Care program provides evidence-based, intensive in-home treatment for youth in foster care while supporting foster parents and advocating for the best interests of each youth. The program serves children and adolescents (ages 0 to 18) who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect, and may have behavioral and mental health needs.
Our parent-centered treatment model promotes positive change across home, school, community, and peer environments – all while working diligently to achieve family reunification whenever possible or finding permanency through adoption. Foster families and youth receive comprehensive support through weekly in-person sessions and access to 24/7 on-call support from highly trained, trauma-informed Foster Care Specialists.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The Foster Care Specialist:
- Carries a caseload of 8 to 10 families
- Provides services to the entire family—not just the identified youth—to build trust and support treatment alignment
- Attends 3 weekly meetings (individual, team, and clinical consultation) for professional development and quarterly booster training sessions to enhance clinical skills
- Provides on-call crisis support to the youth and family (schedules vary by location)
- Completes accurate and timely documentation in an electronic medical record system (EMR)
- Performs other duties as assigned
Additional Information:
- Schedule is flexible and non-traditional as it is based around the availability of youth and families served.
- Applicants must possess a current, valid driver’s license, an automobile for work purposes, and proof of auto insurance.
- Community-based staff will be reimbursed for applicable mileage.
Salary:
$52,000 - $60,000 per year based on education and clinical license
Qualifications
-
Master’s degree in a social services discipline (required)
-
Degrees that can be considered include: social work, drug and alcohol education or counseling, psychology, criminal justice, guidance counseling, or marriage and family therapy (others subject to review)
- Experience with the Foster Care System (preferred)
- Experience with counseling adolescents in a clinical setting (preferred)
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
- Basic computer knowledge
- Ability to maintain a flexible schedule
Youth Villages Benefits
- Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision
- 401(k)
- Time off:
- 2 week paid vacation (full-time) / 1 week paid vacation (part-time)
- 12 paid sick days per year
- 11 paid holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)
- Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision
- Growth & development through continuous training
- Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities
Benefits are excluded for variable status employees.
Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.

For over 35 years, Youth Villages has transformed the lives of children and families nationwide through innovative, research-based programs focused on preserving and restoring families.
As a national leader in children’s mental and behavioral health, we serve more than 47,000 youth, young people, and their families annually across 29 states and Washington, D.C. Our proven treatment models drive long-term success in child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health systems. At Youth Villages, we do what works — partnering with others to expand our impact and advocate for meaningful, lasting change.
We're seeking purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference. With a dedicated team of more than 5,000 staff, Youth Villages is committed to investing in and supporting our employees by offering opportunities to build a fulfilling career through professional growth, personal development, and a mission that matters— helping children and families live successfully.
Program Overview:
Youth Villages’ Treatment Foster Care program provides evidence-based, intensive in-home treatment for youth in foster care while supporting foster parents and advocating for the best interests of each youth. The program serves children and adolescents (ages 0 to 18) who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect, and may have behavioral and mental health needs.
Our parent-centered treatment model promotes positive change across home, school, community, and peer environments – all while working diligently to achieve family reunification whenever possible or finding permanency through adoption. Foster families and youth receive comprehensive support through weekly in-person sessions and access to 24/7 on-call support from highly trained, trauma-informed Foster Care Specialists.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The Foster Care Specialist:
- Carries a caseload of 8 to 10 families
- Provides services to the entire family—not just the identified youth—to build trust and support treatment alignment
- Attends 3 weekly meetings (individual, team, and clinical consultation) for professional development and quarterly booster training sessions to enhance clinical skills
- Provides on-call crisis support to the youth and family (schedules vary by location)
- Completes accurate and timely documentation in an electronic medical record system (EMR)
- Performs other duties as assigned
Additional Information:
- Schedule is flexible and non-traditional as it is based around the availability of youth and families served.
- Applicants must possess a current, valid driver’s license, an automobile for work purposes, and proof of auto insurance.
- Community-based staff will be reimbursed for applicable mileage.
Salary:
$52,000 - $60,000 per year based on education and clinical license
Qualifications
-
Master’s degree in a social services discipline (required)
-
Degrees that can be considered include: social work, drug and alcohol education or counseling, psychology, criminal justice, guidance counseling, or marriage and family therapy (others subject to review)
- Experience with the Foster Care System (preferred)
- Experience with counseling adolescents in a clinical setting (preferred)
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
- Basic computer knowledge
- Ability to maintain a flexible schedule
Youth Villages Benefits
- Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision
- 401(k)
- Time off:
- 2 week paid vacation (full-time) / 1 week paid vacation (part-time)
- 12 paid sick days per year
- 11 paid holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)
- Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision
- Growth & development through continuous training
- Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities
Benefits are excluded for variable status employees.
Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.
See all 40+ Mental Health Specialist at Youth Villages jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Mental Health Specialist at Youth Villages roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Mental Health Specialist Jobs at Youth Villages Jobs
Verify Your Licensure Transfers Across States
Youth Villages operates programs in multiple states, and Mental Health Specialist roles often require state-issued licensure or eligibility. Confirm your credentials are transferable or that you qualify for reciprocity before applying, since licensure gaps can stall an offer.
Target Residential Programs Over Outpatient Openings
Youth Villages' residential treatment programs have historically driven the bulk of their Mental Health Specialist hiring. Focusing your applications on these roles, rather than community-based positions, puts you in front of the teams most familiar with sponsoring international candidates.
Ask Directly About H-1B Timing in Interviews
Youth Villages sponsors H-1B visas, but the October 1 cap-subject start date affects when you can begin. During the offer stage, ask HR whether they support cap-gap extensions and whether premium processing is on the table for your role.
Frame Clinical Hours Around USCIS Specialty Occupation Standards
H-1B eligibility for Mental Health Specialists hinges on meeting USCIS specialty occupation criteria. Present your supervised clinical hours, degree field, and any licensure progress explicitly on your resume so the petitioning attorney has clear evidence to work with.
Use Migrate Mate to Filter Youth Villages Openings by Visa Type
Youth Villages posts Mental Health Specialist roles across multiple states at different times of year. Use Migrate Mate to filter their active openings by the visa types they sponsor, so you're only pursuing positions where your work authorization situation is already a fit.
Align Your OPT or TN Start Date With Their Hiring Cycles
If you're entering on F-1 OPT or a TN visa, Youth Villages' hiring timelines in behavioral health tend to follow the academic calendar and state contract cycles. Applying in late winter through spring gives you the best overlap with onboarding windows before OPT gaps become a concern.
Mental Health Specialist at Youth Villages jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Mental Health Specialist at Youth Villages JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does Youth Villages sponsor H-1B visas for Mental Health Specialists?
Yes, Youth Villages sponsors H-1B visas for Mental Health Specialist roles. Because these positions typically require a bachelor's or master's degree in social work, counseling, or a related clinical field, they generally meet USCIS specialty occupation standards. If you're cap-subject, the October 1 start date applies, so confirm timing with their HR team during the offer stage.
How do I apply for Mental Health Specialist jobs at Youth Villages?
You can apply directly through Youth Villages' careers portal. Roles are posted by state and program type, so filter for the location that fits your licensure and visa situation. Migrate Mate is also a reliable way to browse their active Mental Health Specialist openings filtered by the visa types they sponsor, which saves time if you're job searching across multiple companies.
Which visa types does Youth Villages commonly use for Mental Health Specialist hires?
Youth Villages sponsors H-1B, F-1 OPT, F-1 CPT, TN, and J-1 visas for this function. F-1 OPT is common for recent graduates in social work or counseling programs. The TN visa is available to Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying clinical roles. J-1 is sometimes used for training or clinical placement contexts depending on the program structure.
What qualifications does Youth Villages expect for Mental Health Specialist roles?
Most Mental Health Specialist positions at Youth Villages require at minimum a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a closely related field, with a master's degree preferred for clinical roles. Relevant supervised experience with youth populations is strongly weighted. State licensure eligibility, or an active license such as an LMSW or LPC, is often a hard requirement depending on the specific program and location.
How long does the sponsorship and onboarding process take for international Mental Health Specialist candidates?
Timeline depends on your visa type. F-1 OPT authorization through USCIS takes up to 90 days after your program end date, so apply early. H-1B cap-subject petitions must be filed in April with a projected October 1 start, meaning you could wait six months or more from offer to first day. TN status can be obtained at the border or port of entry and is significantly faster for eligible candidates.
See which Mental Health Specialist at Youth Villages employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Mental Health Specialist at Youth Villages Jobs