Child Welfare Therapist

Candidates must successfully complete pre-employment drug screening, background screening, a fingerprint-based records search, and reference checks. Continued employment is contingent upon annual background screening and participation in an ongoing random drug and alcohol testing program. This position is considered safety-sensitive in a drug-free and smoke-free workplace.

Responsibilities

• Respond promptly to crisis situations, document critical incidents, and be available as needed to clients.
• Provide at least 60 hours of in-home therapy per calendar month or as determined by contract needs.
• Facilitate an initial meeting with the client and the referral source within required time frames.
• Engage and work in partnership with the client to complete the initial comprehensive assessment, including a mental status exam and resulting diagnosis based on the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
• Develop treatment plan goals and objectives in conjunction with the client.
• Provide individual, family, and/or group counseling as appropriate to client need.
• Function as a client advocate and liaison with other community services.
• Monitor client progress and service provision using established tools, and update treatment plans based on those assessments.
• Maintain the client case record, documenting all client and collateral contacts in a timely manner in the electronic medical record.
• Complete discharge summaries and aftercare contacts according to agency policy.
• Provide written and verbal progress reports to referring entities within required time frames.
• Work cooperatively with other program staff to ensure seamless, effective services.
• Participate in regular clinical supervision.
• Travel to home-based therapy, requiring regular driving to various DCCCA locations and other business locations throughout the day, including early morning or evening hours.
• Meet DCF timelines: connect with the family within 24 hours of referral, facilitate initial family meeting within 48 hours, complete assessment-based case plan within 20 days, and case closure within 4-6 weeks of referral.
• Complete and analyze initial and ongoing family assessments related to safety, stability, and well-being, including mental health, substance abuse, education, emotional, social, and physical well-being, parenting, and parent-child relationships.
• Utilize assessments to develop the case plan in partnership with the child/ren and family; make community referrals as necessary.
• Build therapeutic relationships for conflictual relationships, including domestic violence and parent-child conflicts, crisis intervention, and stabilization.
• Provide education and/or intervention related to sexual abuse, domestic violence, and substance abuse prevention.
• Assess child safety and risk, initially and ongoing, assisting the family in developing a behaviorally specific safety plan and monitoring for child safety.
• Meet with the family in the home at least two to three times per week.
• Meet monthly with each child individually.
• Be available to assigned families 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to mitigate immediate child safety concerns and stabilize family crisis.
• Document case information, including court reports, emails, and activities weekly.
• Complete and submit timely court reports.
• Appear and testify in court as required.
• Promote and practice teamwork in all activities.
• Foster and maintain professional relationships with families, community partners, and peers.
• Complete evidence-based practices activities as appropriate.