Lodestar Children's Services

Join the team that’s empowering children and their families by providing essential mental health services at home – where children are most comfortable. Through a variety of support services from our friendly and qualified staff, we create customized plans for children to build confidence, independence, and awareness.

The main office for Lodestar Children’s Services is located in Farmingdale, NY though we provide services throughout Long Island, Queens, and Brooklyn. We are currently hiring across most of these areas to meet the needs of families in these different communities.

While Lodestar makes every effort to match staff with clients in their preferred locations, placements may vary based on availability and our clients’ needs

Compassionate Care

 We meet every child and family with empathy, understanding, and a genuine commitment to their emotional and mental well-being.

Inclusive Practices

 We provide culturally competent, identity-affirming care that respects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of all children.

Youth Empowerment

 We uplift young voices, encouraging active participation in treatment decisions and honoring their autonomy in the healing process.

Safe Environments

 We deliver trauma-informed services that prioritize emotional safety, trust, and consistency in every interaction.

Collaborative Ethics

 We act with integrity, transparency, and accountability—partnering with families, schools, and communities to provide unified support.

Continuous Growth

 We embrace innovation, research, and lifelong learning to offer care that is informed, effective, and always evolving.

Strengths-Based Care

 We approach each child’s mental health journey from a strengths-based approach, meeting each child where they’re at.

Per-diem work supporting children in achieving their fullest potential as a 1:1 worker in home and community settings. This role takes place across various environments where the child lives, learns, plays, and interacts-including homes and community spaces. Responsibilities include helping children build essential life skills, teaching individualized coping strategies (such as self-care routines and mindfulness techniques), and enhancing communication within their families and broader support systems.

• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Clearance by the State Child Abuse Registry and fingerprinting for a criminal history
  background clearance
• Long Island candidates must have a valid driver’s license and vehicle
• Preferred-Bachelor’s Degree
• Preferred- one (1) year experience in a human services related field

• Peer Youth Support: Must be a person 18-30 years of age who self-identifies as a person with first-hand experience with emotional or mental health challenges, behavioral challenges, and/or co-occurring disorders. Must be able to use lived experiences with a disability, mental health issue, or involvement in other child-serving systems to assist in supporting youth in their recovery and wellness.
• Family Peer Support: Must have lived experience as a parent or primary caregiver who has navigated multiple child-serving systems on behalf of a child with social, emotional, developmental, health, and/or behavioral healthcare needs.
• Community Psychiatric Support and Treatment Worker: Must have a Master’s degree and minimum of one (1) year of applicable experience in children’s mental health, addiction, and/or foster care, child welfare, juvenile justice or other related human services field.

Location: Employees must be willing to travel to homes across Long Island, Queens, and/or Brooklyn

Salary Based on Education: Probationary period pay of $24-$27.50 per service hour during the first two months. Following this probationary period, pay increases to $28.50-$32 per service hour.

Applicants with a Master’s degree and a minimum of one (1) year of applicable experience with children as outlined above have the potential to earn up to $46 per service hour following the two month probationary period.

Schedule : Hours are based on the needs of the families and service providers. The ideal candidate is available between 2pm and 8pm as most clients are school-aged and are typically available after school hours. Flexible scheduling makes this position a great fit for individuals attending school or working other jobs. Weekend availability a plus, but not required.

To apply email Program Director Danielle Weill at dweill@lodestarcs.org.

Per-diem positions available.

Do you want to make a difference? Support children in need towards achieving optimal functioning as a 1:1 worker in homes and in the community. Work occurs in a variety of settings where the child lives, works, attends school, engages in services, and/or socializes.

Common tasks include supporting skill development, teaching personalized coping strategies (such as anger management and desensitization), and improving effective communication.

These clinical services are intended to prevent the progression of exhibited behavioral health needs through early identification and intervention and may be provided to youth in need of assessment for whom behavioral health conditions have not yet been diagnosed.

Services include therapeutic communication and interaction for the purpose of alleviating symptoms or functional limitations associated with a child or youth’s diagnosed behavioral disorder, reversing or changing maladaptive patterns of behavior, and encouraging personal growth. This position works with children ages 21 and under.

Location: Across Long Island, Queens, and Brooklyn, based on where the child is located.

Applicants must hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree and have one of the following licenses:

• Licensed Psychoanalysts
• Licensed Psychologists
• Licensed Master Social Workers when under the supervision of Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Licensed Psychologists, or Licensed Psychiatrists
• Licensed Clinical Social Workers
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists
• Licensed Mental Health Counselors
• Licensed Creative Arts Therapists
• Limited Permit Master Social Workers
• Limited Permit Mental Health Counselors

We are looking for applicants with a valid driver’s license and vehicle for our Long Island positions. Applicants for Queens and Brooklyn may rely on public transportation.

You must clear the State Child Abuse Registry, fingerprinting for criminal history, and other background requirements.

Location: Employees must be willing to travel to homes across Long Island, Queens, and/or Brooklyn.

Salary: $80 per service hour, $120 per assessment. Applicants with Limited Permits in social work or mental health counseling can earn $65 per service hour and $105 per assessment.

Schedule : Hours are based on the needs of the families and service providers. The ideal candidate is available between 2pm and 8pm as most clients are school-aged and are typically available after school hours. Flexible scheduling makes this position a great fit for individuals attending school or working other jobs. Weekend availability a plus, but not required.

To apply email Program Director Danielle Weill at dweill@lodestarcs.org.

How To Apply:

To apply to any of the career opportunities at Lodestar Children’s Services:

• Email Program Director Danielle Weill at dweill@lodestarcs.org with the job title in the subject line and your resume, cover letter is optional
• Visit our Indeed Page and fill out the application there: https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Lodestar-Children‘s-Services

Due to the number of applicants Lodestar receives, only those candidates selected to proceed will be contacted.

Lodestar is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Staff Testimonials

“This job has been one of the best jobs I have ever had. The environment is super supportive and every supervisor I’ve had has always be available whenever I need help. I have learned so much here about working with kids and their families who struggle with mental health. I have been so grateful for the supervision. This is a really positive and caring place to work.”

“Lodestar really does work because we’re not seeing children in a clinical setting one on one in an office. We’re seeing them where they’re the most comfortable, whether that be at home or their favorite place in the community.”

“I love this job. Being an In-Home Mental Health Support Specialist has been an incredible stepping stone for my career. It gives you great experience and the support you need to provide services to kids with mental illness. I highly recommend this job for anyone in school for counseling.”

“It is really flexible for a service position and it allows you to work around your schedule and the client’s schedule. Management and supervisors really care about your experience and work to cater to your schedule and location.”