Reunification Therapist -RENU SVS (4963)

Center For Family Services is a leading non-profit social services provider with locations across New Jersey. We are dedicated to making a positive and lasting impact in the lives of individuals and families. Recognized as a top workplace, our team is driven by a professional commitment to delivering high-quality care and support.

Over the past decade, we have continued to grow and evolve, expanding our services to meet the diverse and changing needs of our communities. Our comprehensive range of evidence-based and specialized programs empowers people to build brighter futures and overcome life's challenges.

With a passionate and dedicated workforce of more than 1,500 professionals, Center For Family Services is a powerful force for positive change-helping individuals and families discover vision, hope, and the strength to thrive.

*Sign-On Bonus

Take advantage of our new sign-on bonus! Center for Family Services is a place where you can be part of a dynamic, top workplace team dedicated to improving lives. When you apply and get hired, you are eligible for a $500 sign-on bonus.

Location: Camden County, NJ

Job Type/Status: Full-Time

POSITION SUMMARY:

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.

Duties and Responsibilities:

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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Engaging

• 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.

Assessing

• 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.

Active Listening

• 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.

Teaming

• 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.

Therapeutic Intervening

• Uses clinical interventions and trauma informed approaches to promote behavioral change in caregivers and children through education, modeling, reinforcement, and empowerment.

Coaching

• 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

REQUIREMENTS: 

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in social work, counseling, or other related area.

• Minimum of one (1) year of work experience with children and families, particularly families involved with the child welfare system and/or affected by trauma. 

• Experience working with diverse populations.

• Valid professional license (LPC, LAC, LSW, CSW). May be in process of obtaining licensure. 

• Must possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.

Benefits:

At the Center for Family Services, our employees are our greatest resource, and we are committed to investing in our staff. We offer a competitive benefits package as well as ongoing resources that will support staff on their personal and professional journey.*

• Excellent paid time off (PTO) program, including vacation, sick, personal, and holiday

• 401k Plan

• Medical insurance plan options

• Dental & Vision Insurance

• Prescription Insurance

• Life Insurance

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Health & Wellness Activities

• Ongoing Training & Professional Development Opportunities

• Opportunity for advancement

Disclaimer Many positions require motor vehicle record evaluations and medical clearances. Center For Family Services is an equal opportunity employer offering competitive salaries and excellent benefits packages.