Child Welfare Therapist Wichita

Essential Functions

• Responds promptly to crisis situations, documents critical incidents and is available, as needed, to clients
• Provides at least 60 hours of in-home therapy per calendar month or a number of hours as determined by contract needs
• Facilitates an initial meeting with the client and the referral source, as appropriate, within the required time frames
• Engages and works in partnership with the client to complete the initial comprehensive assessment, including a mental status exam, resulting diagnosis based on the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
• Develops treatment plan goals and objectives in conjunction with the client
• Provides individual, family and/or group counseling as appropriate to client need
• Functions as a client advocate and liaison with other community services
• Maintains the client case record, documenting all client and collateral contacts in a timely manner in the electronic medical record
• Completes discharge summaries and aftercare contacts according to agency policy
• Provides written and verbal progress reports to referring entities within required time frames
• Works cooperatively with other program staff to ensure seamless, effective services
• Participates in regular clinical supervision

Travel Requirements

• Travel to home-based therapy may require the employee to be able to regularly drive to various DCCCA locations and other business locations throughout the day including early morning or evening hours

Decisions and Guidelines

• Decisions are made on guidelines provided by the supervisor, program standard procedures and policies, evidence-based practice model and DCCCA organizational policies

Duties Related to Referral and Case Closure

• Mets DCF timelines to connect with the family within 24 hours of referral; facilitates initial family meeting within 48 hours of referral; completes assessment-based case plan within in 20 days of referral and case closure within 4-6 weeks of referral

Assessment and Safety Planning

• Completes and analyzes initial and on-going 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
• Utilizes assessments to develop the case plan in partnership with child/ren and family; makes community referrals as necessary
• Builds therapeutic relationships for conflictual relationships, including domestic violence and parent child conflicts, crisis intervention and stabilization
• Assesses child safety and risk, initially and ongoing, assisting the family in developing a behaviorally specific safety plan and monitoring for child safety

Frequency of Home Visits

• Mets with the family, in the home, at least two to three times per week

Availability and Hours

• Available to assigned families 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to mitigate immediate child safety concerns and stabilize family crisis and assess the family's needs

Documentation

• Documents case information, including court reports, emails and activities weekly

Testifying in Court

• Completes and submits timely court reports
• Appears and testifies in court as required

Teamwork and Professional Relationships

• Fosters and maintains professional relationships with families, community partners and peers

Educational and Licensure Requirements

• A Master's degree in human services or related field is required
• Requires two years of child welfare and/or family services experience
• Requires licensure by the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board at the master's level. Clinical licensure is preferred

Other Requirements

• Must possess a valid state Driver's License, in force automobile liability insurance, and maintain a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) that meets organization's insurability standard as defined by DCCCA policy
• Availability of reliable transportation is required for this position