Clinical Therapist - Functional Family Therapy Foster Care

Basic Function: 

The role of the Therapist and Family Support Specialist are critical to the successful implementation of the FFT FC Model. Both the Therapist and Family Support Specialist are responsible for engaging the child, birth and foster family. As such both are responsible for engage the identified Permanency Parents (in most cases the birth family) immediately. This includes supervised visitation and early engagement around reunification.  Salary range $65,000 - $92,500.

Qualifications: This position requires a Master's degree in Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology or related Behavioral Health field of study. Therapist must be licensed in their field of study (LMFT, LPCA, LCSW, LMSW) and must have at least 1 year of experience providing clinical services to children and or families. Preference shall be given to candidates that have the following knowledge base:

• Home Based therapy;
• Family Systems Theory;
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies;
• Trauma reactions and its impact on brain development;
• Managing emotional dysregulation due to complex trauma;
• Knowledge of racial disparities within behavioral health services;
• Child development research and its application in treatment

Competencies:

• Initiative
• Empathy
• Self-Reflection & Growth
• Time Management
• Conflict Resolution & De-escalation
• Effective Communication
• Organization Skills
• Supervisory Skills

Duties and Responsibilities: 

1. Conduct initial assessments including review of referral information, identifying and engaging key participants, identifying protective and risks factors, and developing analysis of hierarchy and relational assessment within the family.
2. Address clinical needs of clients through model adherent FFT FC interventions.
3. Complete Care4 documentation as required.
4. Schedule first session within 1 business day of assignment with child and foster family.
5. Continually assess for levels of engagement of all key participants and collaborate with supervisor and stakeholders to overcome barriers to engagement.
6. Maintain clear and concise model adherent documentation of session and collateral contacts that promote monthly supervisory review.
7. Document all contact and collateral notes in Care4 database within 2 business days.
8. Complete required documentation including treatment plans and FFT FC in Care4.
9. Maintain Care4 by documenting regular collateral contacts throughout treatment with clients and stakeholders.
10. Conduct on going both model-specific and Foster Care adherent risk assessments and interventions for every family including tailored safety planning, crisis management, and model adherent interventions that target decreasing risk and increasing protective factors.
11. Keep stakeholders informed of elevated risks and attend clients’ family court appearances and Administrative Case Reviews.
12. Rotate on call services.
13. Video tapes as required for FFT consultation and certification.
14. Participate in all model and agency training, peer and individual supervision, and staff meetings.
15. Independently organize and maintain weekly schedule and keep supervisor aware of schedule.
16. Provide supervised visitation to birth families.

General Agency: 

1. Maintains knowledge of and follow Agency policies and procedures as contained in the WCS Personnel Handbook, WCS Procedure Manual, and departmental manuals.

2. Function as a positive role model for all students and staff at the Waterford Country School.

3. Maintain an awareness of and sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic differences present among the service population and fellow staff members of WCS, ensuring that cultural needs are respected and supported through the delivery of services and the development and implementation of agency programs and policies in a manner that is free from discrimination and bias relating to race, ethnicity, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs or status as a victim of domestic violence. 

4. Maintain a Connecticut or other home state driver’s license to transport residents in agency vehicles.

5. Other duties as may be assigned by the Foster Care Program Director

Flexible Telework Capability

Flexible ability to work remotely as approved by a direct Supervisor, or in the event of a declared weather or other emergency. Telework should be performed in accordance with the Remote Work Policy in the WCS Personnel Handbook.