SVS Therapeutic Visitation Specialist

YMCA of the Jersey Shore; Eatontown (NJ); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Part time

Job summary

The YMCA of the Jersey Shore seeks a Therapeutic Visitation Specialist to support parent-child visitation for CP&P involved families, in home or community settings. You will conduct intake assessments, develop visitation plans, document visits, and coordinate with DCP&P and other providers.

The role requires a Master's degree in Social Work or related field, licensure or in-process, bilingual abilities (Spanish or Portuguese preferred), and trauma-informed, culturally competent practice.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year experience with children and families, especially those involved with child welfare.
• Masters in Social Work or related field; licensure preferred.
• Bilingual in a client language majority; Spanish or Portuguese preferred.
• Knowledge of trauma and attachment; ability to work with diverse populations.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Experience with intake assessments, documentation and coordination with DCP&P.

Responsibilities

• Support parent-child visitation for families needing therapeutic intervention.
• Complete initial intake assessments, assessment tools, and visitation plans.
• Document visits and complete reports; facilitate debriefings and visitation planning meetings.
• Transport children and/or parents; communicate with stakeholders by phone and in person.
• Attend meetings and trainings; assess families’ service needs and link to community providers.

Skills

Bilingual (Spanish/Portuguese)

Trauma-informed

Cultural competence

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling or related field

Job description

The Therapeutic Visitation Specialist at The YMCA of the Jersey Shore intentionally fosters a cause-centered culture that is welcoming, genuine, hopeful, nurturing, and determined.Responsible for supporting parent-child visitation for families in their homes or communities who require therapeutic intervention; completing initial intake assessments, assessment tools, and visitation plans; documenting visits and completing reports; facilitating parent debriefings before and after visits and visitation planning meetings; transporting children and/or parents; 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.ABOUT SUPPORTIVE VISTATION SERVICES: Parent-child visitation services for CP&P- involved families with children in out-of-home placement to maintain and strengthen familial interactions and facilitate permanency. Services are provided in the least restrictive setting that maintains safety along a continuum of supervision based on family need. Core activities include ongoing assessment, visitation, aftercare (post-reunification support), transportation and documentation.This position is contingent upon the availability of grant funding.EngagingInitiates 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.AssessingUses 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.Active ListeningCreates an environment that empowers family members, including parents, children, and caregivers to communicate their goals andUtilizes various interviewing and/or communication techniques in a culturally competent manner.Recognizes non-verbal communication and maintains good eye contact and posture.TeamingAdvocates for parents/families as necessary and supports them in advocating forLinks 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.Deliver and score assessmentCoachingEnhances 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.OperationalContact referral source and client within 2 business days of receipt of referral.Carry a caseload of 3 visit hours and 1 transport hours daily. Part-time staff will conduct a prorated number of transportation and visit hours per week based on hours worked.Available a minimum of 3 evenings per week.Establish visit parameters with all parties involved.Provide transportation to family members who require it as per caseworker.Supervisor visits according to level of supervision required by caseworker, the exception being emergency bathroom breaks.Document activity and interaction between family members during visits and provide copies to caseworkers within 5 business days of visit.Complete program paperwork in a timely manner including end-of-month paperwork, weekly schedules, vehicle log/maintenance, expense forms, and evaluation forms.Complete all record keeping according to COA and DCF standards.Compile and transmit all required progress reports and termination summaries.Attend and participate in weekly clinical supervision. Attend all mandatory training.Participate in all DCF and YMCA meetings.Maintain a safe driving record.Valid NJ Driver’s License and clean driver’s abstract.Successful completion + passing of state/federal fingerprinting: REQUIREDBilingual in a client language majority (Spanish Speaking OR Portuguese speaking preferred)Minimum of 1 year’s experience with children and families, particularly families involved with the child welfare system and/or affected by trauma.Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling or related field.Valid Professional license (LPC, LAC, LSW, CSW) REQUIRED. May be in process of obtaining licensure.Knowledge of trauma and effect on children and families.Experience/willingness to work with culturally diverse populations.Skills in problem analysis and problem resolution at both a strategic and functional level.Ability to communicate effectively.