Therapist (FFT-CW)

(Sign-On Bonus Eligible)

$64,350 - $65,000/year

Position Summary: FFT Therapists in the FFT-CW High Risk track provide empirically documented, well-grounded, and highly successful family interventions for youth and families who reside in the Bronx. Therapists are responsible for providing home-based, model-adherent, culturally competent, clinically oriented, short-term (3-6 months) treatment. Interventions focus on assessing family members relationally with a range of individual and family assessments so they can better match families to necessary behavior changes to address risk, needs, and safety.

FFT-CW (Child Welfare) is a therapeutic program in our Preventive continuum of services. It is a home-based intensive therapeutic model for families in the Bronx with multiple risk factors, where there has been physical abuse and/or neglect of children aged 0-17. It is an evidence-based family therapy model that focuses on engaging with the family's broader social environment and develops each family's social and community networks.

FFT CW has two service tracks within the model:

• Low Risk track supports families that are more likely to successfully engage in community-based interventions and programs.
• High Risk track supports families that need intensive change processes delivered in the home to address the risk of placement or where there are issues of child safety, neglect, family violence, mental health concerns, and substance abuse or at risk of involvement in the criminal justice system.

Essential Duties:

General responsibilities for the position of FFT Therapist will include, but are not limited to:

• Understand and promote the organization's Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures.
• Carry a caseload of approximately 8 FFT-CW High Risk cases.
• Attend all FFT trainings as required as well as all mandated ACS trainings.
• Participate in all weekly Staffing with the FFT Site Lead.
• Complete all FFT documentation within the FFT/CSS system in a timely manner.
• Ensure simultaneous conversion of notes in the CSS system into the ACS ADVPO Progress Notes or Connections Progress Notes.
• Complete all FFT assessment tools as required and enter them into the CSS system in a timely manner.
• Implement all FFT protocols as provided by the FFT consultant and/or FFT supervisor.
• Administer the FFT treatment consistent with the FFT model to ensure fidelity and adherence to the model.
• Fulfill all OCFS, and ACS accountability requirements including timely completion of FASPs, Progress Notes, and Plan Amendments.
• Complete all home-based contacts and seek to maintain four casework contacts per month per family as specified by the model.
• Be available by phone 24/7 or as needed to respond to client crises. This includes the ability to conduct sessions on weekends as needed, to accommodate client availability.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including working remotely in the field, community, or various CA offices to meet the needs of families. and improve efficiency and management of time and resources.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree required in social work (MSW) or equivalent degree in any NYS license-eligible Mental Health profession.

Key Competencies:

• Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred but not required.
• Overall knowledge of working with adolescents and families in a child welfare, mental health, or juvenile justice setting.
• Willingness to learn and work within the FFT philosophy and model.
• Ability and willingness to work with families and teens in the home, school, and other appropriate settings in the community.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Ability to work independently, as well as contribute to a team.
• Strong clinical skills and ability to work under pressure with high-risk, crisis-oriented cases.
• Very good interpersonal/communication skills, including the ability to write well and meet copious amounts of documentation in a timely manner.
• Computer literate.

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children's Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children's Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children's Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.