Therapist - FFT-CW

Make a bigger difference

    All Staten Island programs are allotted a $4,420 commuter differential that is applicable to anyone who currently works or is hired to work on Staten Island who doesn’t live in Staten Island in addition to the base salary or hourly wage.

PURPOSE: 

The purpose of an FFTCW (Functional Family Therapy - Child Welfare) Therapist in the Preventive Services department is to provide therapeutic services to families within the child welfare system. The FFTCW model is designed to address complex systemic and relational behaviors in families, with the goal of improving communication, problem-solving, parenting skills, and ultimately, family functioning to ensure the safety and well-being of children.

The Preventive Services Department provides child welfare services using Evidence Based models to ensure that families are able to provide safe environments for their children, keep children safe in their homes and reduce the need for foster care.  Prevention is an essential part of the child welfare continuum and requires a commitment to the wellbeing of all members of a client family.  All services are provided in a family’s home and community.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The FFTCW Therapist works with families to assess their needs, develop intervention plans, and deliver therapy sessions that are tailored to the family's unique circumstances. They collaborate with other service providers to ensure a comprehensive approach to the family's care. The therapist also plays a crucial role in monitoring the family's progress, adjusting treatment plans as necessary, and working towards successful case closure.

The FFTCW Therapist is a key figure in helping families overcome challenges, strengthen relationships, and create a safe and nurturing environment for children within the child welfare system. The FFTCW Therapist provides all services in a client’s home and community.

KEY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide Child Welfare Preventive Services exclusively or primarily within the client’s home and community
• Learn and implement the Functional Family Therapy evidenced based intervention model to children 0- 18 years old and their families to keep them safe and in their communities
• Improve family communication while decreasing negativity with children who struggle with serious behavior problems
• Integrate case management services with an assigned evidence base model to help families meet their basic needs to promote stability and reduce stress
• Collaborate and coordinate services with all providers working with the family to ensure the family’s needs are adequately being addressed
• Identify and evaluate risk
• Conduct assessments including review of referral information, identify and engage key participants, identify strengths and weaknesses and collaboratively develop goals.
• Engage primary caregiver and other key participants in active change-oriented treatment by identifying and overcoming barriers to engagement.
• Adhere to the fidelity of the model to ensure optimal service outcome is achieved.
• Work within the model’s structure, regarding length of treatment, case contacts, interventions, supervision, and documentation.
• Participate in consultations with the model developer.
• Audio/video record sessions for training and supervision purposes as needed.
• Maintain clear and concise documentation in CNNX case record including progress notes of treatment efforts and Family Services Assessment Plans, enter data into PROMIS
• Work a hybrid schedule based on program needs

• Comfortable with group supervision and commitment to work on professional development goals to improve adherence

• Work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of families
• Additional tasks as assigned

CORE COMPETENCIES for the position include:

• Basic social work knowledge and understanding of stages of change
• Ability to provide in home therapy and child welfare services
• Ability to establish a strong therapeutic relationship with families.
• Understanding of the use of family therapy principals to provide services
• Strong Assessment skills to evaluate dynamics and interactions within the family
• Ability to Implement strategies to improve family communication and support, especially for families dealing with serious behavior problems, adolescent drug abuse, and violence.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE:

•  Family systems theory and application
•  Substance use/abuse theory (for MST-SA) and behavioral approaches to SA treatment
•  Social ecological theory and application
•  Behavioral therapies theory and knowledge
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy, pragmatic family therapies theory and application
• Social skills assessment and intervention and child development research and its application in treatment.

EDUCATIONAL/TRAINING REQUIRED:

Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling or a related subject area.

EXPERIENCE/LANGUAGE PREFERENCE:

• Bilingual/Bicultural preferred
• Experience working in the client’s home.
• Experience working in a Child Welfare, JJI, or Adolescent Focused program.
• Experience and /or knowledge of Evidence-Based Models, Motivational Interviewing and Solution- Focused work. Experience of working within diverse communities.
• Direct practice with families using a family therapy model.

COMPUTER SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of Microsoft office required
• Knowledge and experience with the Connections system preferred

VISUAL AND MANUAL DEXIERITY:

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL EFFORT

dherence.

We respect diversity and accordingly are an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, alienage, citizenship status, age, disability, sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, partnership status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This applies with respect to recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, termination, assignments, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and all other terms and condition of employment as well as general treatment during employment.

 We will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified employees with disabilities, without regard to any protected classifications, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. Any employees who need assistance to perform their job duties because of a physical or mental condition should contact human resources.