Child & Family Grief Therapist

Child and Family Grief Therapist Job Description

TITLE: Child and Family Grief Therapist

SALARY RANGE: DOE CLASSIFICATION: EXEMPT

HOURS:FULL TIME- 40 Hours- some evenings and weekends may be required

The position and pay rate is contingent upon VOCA funding

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The Child and Family Grief Therapist is responsible for providing

direct therapeutic services to children who have loss a caregiver due to substance/opioid use,

victims of abuse, trauma, and other Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their families

in crisis and on an ongoing basis. The Child and Family Grief Therapist is trained in

evidence-based—NCA approved models to address the trauma, mental health, and other

clinical issues that clients and their caregivers may present. This position is required to provide

ongoing therapy, grief support and support group treatment to clients and their caregivers. The

Child and Family Grief Therapist position is for developing and maintaining a client-focused,

children’s advocacy-based mental health practice that supports the mission of VCAC and

adheres to the NCA Standards of Mental Health practices.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

• Provide individual & family mental health therapy for children and their non-offending families in crisis and on an ongoing basis using an evidence- based and NCA approved therapy model
• Provide structured group and support therapy program for children and caregivers
• Provide comprehensive bio-psycho-social assessments for child victims of trauma and maltreatment
• Provide individual parenting education, to include the effects of substance use, abuse, violence and trauma on children
• Introduce and support coping skills necessary to help the child deal with the impact of trauma when at home and in other settings
• Assist with crisis counseling of new clients as needed
• Attend and participate in meetings, trainings and supervision as requested
• Follow and adhere to the NCA accreditation standards for mental providers and use the best practices
• Assist in developing and conducting applicable trainings relative to VCAC’s mission and its Mental Health program for multidisciplinary team member organizations and other partner organizations
• Responsible for ensuring service is client-focused, culturally competent and sensitive, strength based, and built on a foundation of sound clinical theory and trauma informed best practices
• Ensure the collection and integrity of client/service data and report findings monthly and timely
• Offer feedback for service adaptation based on best practices established by research in the field
• Schedule of therapeutic appointments within established timeframes
• Communicate effectively with clients, caregivers, and MDT partners
• Represent the program and agency with area service providers
• Other duties as assigned

Qualification, Skills, Knowledge

Educational Requirement: Masters in social work, psychology, counseling, or a

• closely related mental health discipline.
• Current state license ( such as LLMSW/LMSW, LLPC/LPC or equivalent) or active state license as an addiction/substance (such as LADC/ LAC). Minimum of one to two years experience providing treatment to individuals with substance use or co-occurring. Preferred trained in Trauma-Focused
• Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT).
• Knowledgeable about child development and family systems, diagnosis, and
• evidence based therapeutic interventions for children who have experienced trauma
• Knowledgeable about the dynamics of substance/opioid use
• Knowledgeable about the dynamics of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect
• Knowledgeable about the dynamics of intimate partner violence
• Knowledgeable about childhood grief
• Demonstrates ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and collaboratively with peers and community partners
• Good computer skills
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently

Additional Relevant Skills and Qualities:

• Ability to work cooperatively with families and other community partners
• Organized and relevant
• Use good interpersonal relations skills with community partners and MDT members
• Excellent rapport
• Social media, Microsoft Office, and general database proficient
• Ability to sit at a desk, complete computer work, light lifting
• Ability to deal with sensitive confidential information
• Nonjudgmental approach that reflects cultural competency and sensitivity to the unique needs and diverse experiences of families with young children and the ability
• to relate well with people of all ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

The physical environment is an office building. Ability to sit at a desk, complete computer

work, and light lifting.

Other Requirements:

In accordance with policies stated in the agency Personnel Policies and

Recruitment, Hiring, Onboarding, and Separation policies, Voices for Children must conduct

a thorough background clearance on all employees and contractors who interact with

minors at their hire but no more than six (6) months prior to their first day of work with

minors and on a periodic ongoing basis.

Background Clearances include, at a minimum:

● Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website (www.nsopw.gov)

● Michigan State Police Sex Offender Registry

(http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123-1589187824961---

,00.html)

● Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT)

(https://apps.michigan.gov/Home/Login?q=MlGPpWZJC eyoP6U6CpNUg==')

● MDHHS Central Registry Clearance (via email to your local DHHS office)

● National Criminal Background check

Any person working with minors who has lived, worked, or gone to school in a state or

states other than Michigan any time in the past five (5) years is required to submit sufficient

historical information to allow Voices for Children to conduct similar background

clearances in all states of residence during the prior five (5) year period.

Statement Regarding Background Checks and Discrimination: Information discovered

through the background check process is used solely for the purpose of evaluating a

candidate’s suitability for employment and will not be used to discriminate against a

candidate on the basis of race, color, religion/creed, sex/gender, age, sexual orientation,

gender identity/expression, national origin, genetic information, marital/familial status,

disability, military, veteran status, or any other protected status.

The above job description is intended to summarize the essential functions of and

requirements for the performance of this job. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list of

miscellaneous duties and responsibilities that may be requested in the performance of

this job.

Employees are occasionally required to participate in activities outside of normal

business hours.

All employment relationships with VCAC are of an at-will nature, may be terminated at any time,

with or without cause, and with or without notice. Nothing in any job description, employment

agreement, personnel policy or future evaluation shall alter the at-will nature of this employment

nature.

The VCAC is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a policy of nondiscrimination with

respect to all employees and applicants for employment. All personnel actions, such as

recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, layoff, recall, compensation and benefits,

discipline, termination, and education, recreational, and social programs are administered

without regard to sexual orientation, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship status,

age, disability status, opposition or participation activity protected by applicable law, or

membership or application for membership in a uniformed service. Employment decisions,

subject to legitimate business requirements of VCAC, are based solely on an individual’s

qualifications, merit and performance.

Travel: This position requires some travel for meetings, trainings, and conference