Therapist (FFT)

Children's Aid; New York (NY); On-site; USD 66,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Children’s Aid in the Bronx seeks FFT Therapists to provide model-adherent, culturally competent, short-term treatment within our Family Assessment Program. The role will cover a multi-borough program including Staten Island/Manhattan, with on-site duties in the Bronx.

The position requires a Master’s in social work or NYS-eligible mental health licensure, and a commitment to serving youth and families with flexible hours, including weekends. Salary ranges from $66,300 to $70,000 per year.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work or equivalent license-eligible mental health profession in NYS.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred but not required.
• Experience with adolescents and families in child welfare, mental health or juvenile justice.
• Ability to work with families/teens in home, school, and community settings.
• Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Carry caseload of approximately 8 FFT cases.
• Attend FFT trainings and ACS trainings as required.
• Complete FFT documentation within the CSS system in a timely manner.
• Implement FFT protocols and administer treatment with fidelity to the model.
• Engage in outreach activities to attain 20% utilization from self-referrals.
• Be available by phone 24/7 to respond to client crises; may conduct sessions on weekends.
• May accept cases in other boroughs where contracts exist (Bronx, Manhattan/ Staten Island).

Skills

MSW / license-eligible mental health

Bilingual English/Spanish (preferred)

Experience with adolescents & families

Home/school/community outreach

Flexible hours including evenings/week

Education

MSW or equivalent NYS license-eligible

Job description

Salary: $66,300-$70,000/yr

Position Summary

The Functional Family Therapy (FFT) Therapists are responsible for providing model adherent, culturally competent, clinically oriented, short-term treatment in our Family Assessment Program (FAP) continuum of services in the borough of the Bronx and the multi-borough program of Staten Island/Manhattan. *This position will be located in the Bronx*.

Children’s Aid Mission

To help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive support to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Children’s Aid annually serves children and their families at over 40 sites in New York, as well as through three national program models. Children’s Aid is concentrating its efforts on creating cradle-through-college pathways in high-need neighborhoods, with a focus on children’s health, family stability, education, and social and emotional development.

Culture and Values

We put children, youth, and families first: We listen to and incorporate the voices of children, youth and families in all that we do.
We seek equity and transformation in our communities: We courageously work within and outside systems to create opportunities for children, youth and families.
We strive for excellence: We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.
We are powered by collaboration: Our work is stronger when we trust, partner, and respect each other and the communities we serve.
We are driven by compassion: We lead with kindness, care, and empathy and believe in the endless potential of the people we serve and our team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

General responsibilities for the position of FFT Therapist 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 caseload of approximately 8 FFT cases.
• Attend all FFT trainings as required as well as all mandated ACS trainings.
• Participate in all weekly Staffing with 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 into the CSS system in 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.
• Comply with FFT “front loading” requirements as indicated for high-risk families which includes meeting with families 3 times in the first 10 days of the case.
• Complete all home-based contacts and seek to maintain four case work contacts per month per family as specified by the model.
• Engage in outreach activities in the community in order to attain required 20% utilization from self-referrals as required by contract.
• Be available by phone 24/7 or as needed to respond to client crises. This includes ability to conduct sessions on weekends as needed, to accommodate client availability.
• May be required to accept cases in other boroughs where we have the contract (Bronx, Manhattan/Staten Island.)
• Collaborate with Educational and Employment specialist to monitor school attendance, obtain school records and intervene with DOE when appropriate to develop an appropriate education/vocational plan for youth.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work (MSW) or equivalent degree in any NYS license-eligible Mental Health profession required.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is preferred but not required.
• Experience working with adolescents and families in a child welfare, mental health or juvenile justice setting.
• 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.

Key Competencies

• Willingness to learn and work within the FFT philosophy and model.
• 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 amount of documentation in a timely manner.

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.