Job Description
Job DescriptionBackground:
Forestdale (FD) is a NYC child welfare agency working to prevent child abuse/neglect through parenting, prevention, and foster care (FC) services, focusing on low-income and immigrant communities in Queens & Brooklyn. We help thousands of families work through acute & complex trauma, parents raise the next amazing generation of children, and youth successfully launch into adulthood. FD’s mission is “to ensure that children and families have the fundamental assets they need to thrive and live independently.”
Job Summary
Socio-therapists are assigned to children who may have experienced traumatic situations which result in behavioral dysregulation in the foster home. To assist the case planner and foster parent identify and manage the behaviors, a child or youth may be referred to the Treatment Team for evaluation and to determine if a Socio-therapist should be assigned. If the decision is to assign a Socio-therapist, then the socio-therapist, case planner and foster parent work to develop a behavioral plan to address the behaviors. The Socio-therapist meets with the foster parent and child/youth weekly to monitor the behavior plan and to help the child/youth gain mastery over the behavior.
The Socio-therapist Supervisor is responsible for having and conveying a clear vision for how Socio-therapists can have the maximum positive impact on clients; providing weekly supervision to the Socio-therapists; and assisting them to design and review the behavior plan and make changes as needed. He/she is required to use the Trauma Responsive Informed Parenting Program (TRIPP) to develop the skills of the Socio-therapists and to develop the behavioral plan.
Major Responsibilities/Activities:
- Provide consultation to Socio-therapists on assessing for safety and risk and crisis intervention.
- Conduct individual and group supervision with assigned Socio-therapists.
- Maintain written supervisory records.
- Maintain small number of own caseloads of (2) youths/children receiving socio-therapy services
- Ensure optimal delivery of clinical support, services, and crisis intervention along with behavioral management, therapeutic and developmental support to children and their caregivers.
- Consult with Socio-therapists on individual treatment plans for children, monitor progression of each case, and update treatment plans as necessary.
- When appropriate, co-facilitate monthly Treatment Team Meetings on each caseload.
- Collaborate with medical, mental health, and model consultants on all evidence- based model interventions being implemented in clinical services.
- Track referrals to the TTM, enrollments and discharges
- Collaborate closely with case planning supervisor.
- Participate in case conferences, family team conferences, and meetings with clients, foster parents and other stakeholders as needed.
- Review all Progress Notes, Court Reports, correspondence, and other documentation, ensuring quality and timely submission and accurate submission of all forms and documents required by ACS.
- Participate in unit meetings, staff meetings, and supervision/coaching.
Minimum Requirements
• Prior supervisory experience a plus
• Strong organization skills
• Ability to motivate staff
• Master’s degree in social work from an accredited college; Licensure by the State Education Department of the State of New York
• LMSW or LCSW or LMHC required
• A minimum of two years of post MSW experience in the field of child welfare with a concentration in foster care and adoption
Salary Range:
Masters: $65,000 to $73,000
Masters / Language: $67,000 to $75,000
Masters / License: $70,000 to $78,000
Masters / License / Language: $72,000 to $80,000
Join the Forestdale Team and Enjoy Excellent Benefits:
• Four weeks’ vacation
• Medical/dental/vision/life/disability insurance
• 401(k), 7% employer contribution + 2% match
• Tax-deferred health care/dependent care/commuter plans
• Flexible Schedule
• Opportunities for educational scholarships
IMPORTANT NOTE: All employees, volunteers and interns must show proof of vaccination upon hire.
Forestdale Inc. is an equal opportunity employer that is proudly committed to becoming an anti-racist and multicultural organization that stands up for justice and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse backgrounds, for administrative support and direct service and leadership roles, who will join us on that journey, uphold our values and approach, and believe in our mission. Additionally, we aim to have a racially representative leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.
Forestdale Inc. is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and termination of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.