Full Time Supportive Visitation Specialist

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark; Union City (NJ); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark is seeking a Full-Time Supportive Visitation Specialist to join their Supportive Visitation Services program in Union City, NJ. This role focuses on facilitating parent-child visitation, creating visitation plans, and ensuring the safety and emotional well-being of children.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's or Associate's degree in social work or a related field, alongside experience working with families in challenging situations. A valid NJ Driver's License is also required. Travel within counties is essential.

Qualifications

• 1+ years of experience working with children & families, particularly those affected by trauma.
• Valid NJ Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Support parent-child visitation in homes or communities.
• Complete visitation plans and document visits.
• Link families to appropriate community providers.

Skills

Culturally sensitive communication

Trauma-informed strategies

Family-centered support

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, or related field

Associate's degree in related field

Job description

Overview

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark is one of New Jersey’s largest non‑profit social service agencies with programs and facilities serving Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties.

We are currently seeking a Full‑Time Supportive Visitation Specialist to join our Supportive Visitation Services program located in Union City, NJ.

This position requires non‑negotiable travel within Hudson & Bergen County, NJ.

Starting Salary: $60,000

Job Description

• The Supportive Visitation Specialist is responsible for supporting parent‑child visitation for families in their homes or communities; completing and updating visitation plans; documenting visits and completing reports; facilitating parent debriefings before and after visits and visitation planning meetings; transporting children and/or parents, as needed; communicating with children, parents, relatives, resource parents, DCP & P, and/or other stakeholders by phone and in person; attending various meetings and trainings; and assessing families’ service needs and linking them to appropriate community providers.

• Initiates and maintains ongoing communication with families in a culturally sensitive manner utilizing a family's preferred language taking into consideration a family's faith and culture.

• Schedules and conducts visits in the least‑restrictive, most home‑like location (the first preference being within the family's home) while ensuring the safety of the children.

• Ensures the environment for parent‑child contact is safe, non‑traumatizing, and promotes healthy attachment.

• Uses strengths‑based, solutions‑focused, family centered, trauma informed strategies to elicit family input.

• Initiates and maintains ongoing communication with DCP & P, other providers, and supports.

• Uses a process to gather information which includes reviewing collateral information and inquiring about family's natural supports.

• Completes required assessment tools including but not limited to bio‑psychological assessments, Rose Wentz Matrix and SVS Caregiver Surveys and documents contacts with families in agency's progress notes and DCP & P contact sheets.

• Creates a visitation plan with active familial involvement and updates the plan at regular intervals.

• Creates an environment that empowers family members, including parents, children, and caregivers to communicate their goals and needs.

• Utilizes various interviewing and/or communication techniques in a culturally competent manner.

• Recognizes non‑verbal communication and maintains good eye contact and posture.

• Advocates for parents/families as necessary and supports them in advocating for themselves.

• Links the family to community resources and formal and informal supports and coordinates with DCP & P.

• Collaborates with and shares relevant information with DCP & P staff, other providers, and supports.

• Facilitates visit planning meetings and participates in other relevant meetings.

• Enhances parental skills by goal setting, modeling, mentoring, reinforcement and feedback and reflection through a trauma‑informed perspective.

• Prepares for each visit with caregivers reviewing goals and expectations and encouraging them to be the lead in visit planning.

• Debriefs with caregivers after each visit to allow for processing and self‑reflection and discussion of strengths and challenges.

SCHEDULE

• M‑F 10 AM‑6 PM; some nights, weekends, and/or holidays may be required.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in social work, counseling, or related field
• Minimum 1 year experience working with children & families, particularly families involved with welfare system and/or affected by trauma preferred
• Valid NJ Driver's License

OR

• Associate's degree in related field
• Minimum 1 year experience working with children & families, particularly families involved with welfare system and/or affected by trauma preferred
• Valid NJ Driver's License