Family Preservation Therapist: Family Services - White's Residential and Family Services
Employment Status: Full-time/Regular/Exempt
Qualifications: Incumbent must be a Christian with strong Christian values and a commitment to living a lifestyle that is aligned with White’s Code of Conduct and Statement of Faith. A Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Human/Social Services, Human Development and Life Studies, or a degree which meets the standards for licensure by the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board is required. The incumbent must also have a valid driver’s license with no restrictions that would limit the ability to perform job functions and the active pursuit or previous attainment of a license, such as an LMHC, LCSW, or LMFT, is required. Individuals who are in the licensing process or license-eligible are also acceptable.
Reports to: Program Manager
Job Summary: The Family Preservation Therapist is responsible for applying appropriate counseling skills, principles, and therapeutic modalities in the professional treatment effort as it applies to each family / child on the assigned caseload. This position will be an integral part of the treatment team's efforts toward ensuring the preservation of the referred family unit. The Family Preservation Therapist demonstrates the ability to exercise independent judgment and function as a team member. The Family Preservation Therapist must be equipped to identify the needs of the children and families in their care, and to address those needs through evidence-based practices. This position requires an over-arching understanding of the entire continuum of services available for families, children, and the referring agencies. This Individual must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.
Basic Responsibilities
Family Preservation Therapy Services with Families
Assess families using standardized and informal assessment instruments
Develop treatment plans with the client/family within established time frames
Provide individual/family/couples sessions to address identified clinical needs using appropriate therapeutic interventions including evidence-based practices.
Assist in the management of client crises as indicated
Must possess the basic belief that children are meant to grow up within their family of origin whenever possible, and that such warrants significant, supportive efforts when necessary.
Aid in the completion of regular family safety assessments and plans
Case Management
Attend and represent White’s at review hearings as well as child and family team meetings; make objective recommendations to the court and the team as requested
Pursue case goals utilizing various resources in conjunction with other service providers
Regularly evaluate child/family progress and periodically meet with treatment team to review cases
Advocate for child and family’s needs and best interests by assisting in the identification of service gaps and community resources to meet identified needs
Maintain appropriate and thorough documentation in a timely manner consistent with accreditation and Department of Child Services treatment standards: Individual Treatment Plan, Monthly Progress Report, Closing Summary, case notes, outcome measures, etc.
Keep placing agency workers informed about family and child’s progress, major crises, etc.
Foster/ Adoptive Families
Build and maintain positive, supportive, and encouraging working relationships with resource families
Direct resource families in their efforts to be therapeutic in their work with those placed in their home
Attend resource family trainings; co-facilitate training and/or activities for children
Facilitate training in issues related to adoption, when appropriate
Complete assessments in conjunction with therapists to guide family preparation for adoption, when appropriate
Foster Children
Prepare each foster child for the identified permanency goal in a developmentally appropriate manner in conjunction with other service providers and referring agency staff
Enhance foster child functioning by providing basic counseling, psycho-education, skills training, etc.
Implement and maintain therapeutically sound treatment programming for youth in independent living program consistent with White’s mission and philosophy
Prepare independent living students for self-sufficiency by facilitating experiential and didactic exercises and activities
Families of Origin/Guardians/Adoptive Parents
For foster care services: build working relationships with birth/adoptive parents with whom foster child is to be reunified by facilitating parenting time and regular communication (if this is the case plan)
Provide education and support required to achieve preservation of the family unit whenever possible for relevant services
Support family preservation and reunification through the implementation of safety assessment and planning, as appropriate based on service provided.
Assess family dynamics and needs to facilitate case plan goal achievement
Serve as a resource coordinator for families in mobilizing and securing resources for critical needs; this may involve transporting families to resources or bringing such to them
Provide mentoring and teaching resources: nurturing/parenting skills, problem-solving/conflict resolution skills, child development, and self-esteem concepts
Coordinate establishment of a family support team to meet with family regularly
Identify and engage informal supports to assist after White’s services are no longer active
Coordinate development and implementation of family goal plan; includes a safety plan for children and parents; includes objectives for growth in family’s assets; includes relation dynamics as well as basic needs
Formally assess families using the approved instruments within required time frames based on service
Agency Support and Enhancement
Attend case reviews with referral agencies as requested
Maintain a working relationship with referral agency workers
Be a positive liaison between White’s and placing agencies and the public in general
Be a White’s representative on local committees and project committees as requested
Professional Development
Participate in Clinical Supervision regularly
Complete assigned opportunities for individual professional development, including internal, external, and self-directed learning opportunities
Participate in periodic field observation by the Clinical Supervisor or Designee
Analyze and assess performance feedback through the Coaching Review process
Other
Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Manager, Clinical Director, or VP and Executive Director of Family Services
Skills, Supervision, Knowledge, and Ability
The Family Preservation Therapist must be an individual with a Christian and professional commitment to work with children and youth of all ages, their families, the referring agency, community professionals, and the White's Family Services’ treatment team
Must demonstrate initiative and the ability to complete work assignments with minimal direct supervision
Must be dependable and organized to complete assigned tasks and mentor newer staff
Must have the ability to clearly, concisely, and professionally communicate ideas through effective verbal and writing skills
Must understand and demonstrate knowledge of counseling/helping skills
Must maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality
Must personably, genuinely, empathetically, and emotionally communicate and interact with foster children, resource families, birth families, other professionals, and placing agency workers
Must be a team player – this person needs to enjoy working closely with other staff members and be flexible, adaptive, and positive in his/her actions
Must be a positive role model for the children and youth assigned
Must maintain appropriate hygiene and attire
Must be committed to the Mission, Core Values, and Vision of White's Residential and Family Services
Physical Demands of Position
Must be able to drive moderate distances for service provision, court hearings, etc.
Must be able to handle the challenge of prioritizing multiple roles and responsibilities, attend to crises, and other unplanned events with minimal to moderate direct supervision, and meet regular deadlines for required documentation
Working Conditions
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday (part-time employees will work as needed)
Travel, therapy sessions, and other tasks will regularly extend beyond these office hours.
The Family Preservation Therapist will be expected to respond to child and family crises as part of a team. A contact number will be given to staff and to their clients to use as needed. The Family Preservation Therapist is required to support on call requirements for their caseload when not taking PTO.
Interested persons can apply online at Whiteskids.org/careers or can contact SHANEA KIRK,
at shanea.kirk@whitesrfs.org or Office: 260.563.1158 ext. 1345.