Child Development Therapist

About the role

The Child Development Therapist (CDT) will support the growth and development of SPY’s clinical programming by offering services responsive to the needs of transitional age youth who are pregnant and/or parenting and their children. The CDT will provide child and family services, education, training, consultation, and referrals to support families in meeting their goals.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively to develop, innovate, and grow SPY’s Pregnant and Parenting (P&P) Program in alignment with SPY’s Strategic Plan.
• Outreach and engage transitional age youth who are pregnant and parenting.
• Provide child and parent therapy services at our drop-in Center (Venice, CA), at our family housing sites (Inglewood, CA), and as needed in community settings.
• Develop and facilitate therapeutic groups, educational workshops, developmentally appropriate activities, and family connection events.
• In collaboration with parents, facilitate developmental assessments with children and provide guidance to parents and team on interpreting assessment outcomes.
• Provide referrals and support families in resource connection and navigation.
• Collaborate with members to develop care plans designed to meet child and parent goals, utilize clinically appropriate trauma-informed interventions, and document progress.
• Support SPY programs in developing inclusive spaces for families that promote connection, health and wellness, and positive social and emotional development.
• Ensure services with youth and families are strengths based, non-judgmental, and trauma-informed.
• Contribute to clinical case conferences at the drop-in center and family housing sites.
• Design and facilitate training for staff related to child development.
• Complete documentation, activity tracking, and outcome reporting in a timely manner.
• In collaboration with P&P Team, manage inventory and dissemination of supplies for the P&P Program.
• Advocate and build community partnerships by attending external community meetings and events.
• Work collaboratively across internal departments and assist with general SPY programming as needed.
• Work within established legal and ethical guidelines.
• Other duties as assigned to support the mission of the organization.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling, Child Development, Psychology, Early Childhood Education, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, or a related field required.
• Valid registration with the BBS as an ASW, AMFT, or APCC required, with a practice specialty in child therapy.
• At least 2 years of experience working with infants and toddlers and their families. 2 years of experience working with transitional age youth, preferred.
• Excellent skills in rapport building and collaborative practices with parents.
• Knowledge of child development, sexual and reproductive health, prenatal and post-partum health, intimate partner violence, harm reduction, and intergenerational trauma.
• Excellent verbal de-escalation and crisis response skills.
• A commitment to inclusive and restorative justice practices, anti-racism, social justice, and trauma-informed care.
• Cultural sensitivity, responsiveness, and humility.
• A high level of personal accountability for the quality and impact of work; a self-starter who is prepared to drive innovative solutions for an emerging organization.
• An ability to work in a fast-paced environment that requires effective collaboration with a variety of individuals, departments, and organizations, as well as the capacity to work independently.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and teamwork skills.
• Knowledge of child and dependent adult abuse mandated reporting laws.

Qualifications

• Mandated Reporting Requirements: All SPY employees are mandated reporters and are legally required to report any reasonable suspicion of child, elder, or dependent adult abuse or neglect.
• Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: Effective August 9, 2021, the State Health Officer has mandated that all workers, paid or unpaid, in homeless services organizations must provide proof of vaccination. If eligible for a booster shot, proof of booster is also required.
• Driver Positions: Applicants are required to provide a copy of their driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles, along with a copy of their valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Employment may be contingent upon a satisfactory driving record.

Skills

• Excellent verbal de-escalation and crisis response skills.
• Commitment to inclusive and restorative justice practices, anti-racism, social justice, and trauma-informed care.
• Cultural sensitivity, responsiveness, and humility.
• High level of personal accountability for the quality and impact of work; a self-starter who is prepared to drive innovative solutions for an emerging organization.
• An ability to work in a fast-paced environment that requires effective collaboration with a variety of individuals, departments, and organizations, as well as the capacity to work independently.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and teamwork skills.
• Knowledge of child and dependent adult abuse mandated reporting laws.

Benefits & Perks

• Comprehensive health coverage.
• 403b with agency contribution.
• Affordable paid time off.
• Professional development opportunities.

Pay

$70,304 - $75,000

Schedule

Sunday-Thursday (9:00am-5:30pm)