Parent Support Specialist / Therapist

The Wellspring•Monroe, LA

About The Position

Partners directly with families to help reduce the likelihood of initial or repeat involvement with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Provides parent education and short-term parent support for families needing additional support with parenting needs. To counsel individuals, families and groups, including those who are victims of the crimes of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse, concerning their interpersonal as well as personal needs and problems in an effort to strengthen and value families in our communities.

Requirements

Licensure or pursuing licensure as LPC or LMFT
Flexibility to work non-traditional business hours
Knowledge of community, job, financial, and social resources
Demonstrates ability to partner with families using a strengths-based approach
Demonstrates understanding of protective factors that promote child wellbeing, individual and community level trauma and its impact, best practices in preventing child abuse and neglect, and disparities and disproportionalities in public systems.
Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and meet state required automobile insurance minimums
Ability to communicate with, be sensitive to the needs of, and develop and maintain relationships with individuals from various cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds
Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external customers in a professional, tactful, and friendly manner
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to record with clarity and promptness
Good listening skills and the ability to ask appropriate questions
Maintains poise and self-control even under extreme stress and unexpected crises; handles delicate situations tactfully
Appropriately assertive even in difficult situations
Must demonstrate mature and objective, non-judgmental behaviors
Ability to assess situations both within and outside the client system and determine priorities
Maintains positive work relationships with other staff, is cooperative and promotes teamwork
Effective in planning and arranging work responsibilities including determining priorities, managing multiple projects, handling deadlines and changes in priorities
Ability to identify and use community resources
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, Excel and Power Point
Maintains personal appearance consistent with agency image
Ability to work within the purpose, structure and constraints of the Agency and to make suggestions for change in a responsible manner
Ability to maintain confidentiality with regard to clients and agency business
Commitment to continued professional growth

Nice To Haves

Trust-Based Relational Intervention® and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) training preferred
Preference will be given to candidates who most reflect the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic status of the majority of members of the neighborhoods being served

Responsibilities

Conducting Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI) parenting curriculum, Caregivers in Child Welfare to parent and caregiver groups
Conducting TBRI parenting curriculum intakes and ongoing assessments with families. Gathers, tracks, and reports related data using systems and processes in place at The Wellspring.
Providing individual, marital and family therapy for residential, non-residential clients
Coordinating and providing educational and training opportunities for other community professionals, partners and the general public
Demonstrating a positive attitude through word and action
Demonstrating concern and respect for others by listening carefully and without judgment
Establishing personal rapport with clients
Maintaining case records by documenting client activity and actions
Tracking and reporting required MCC qualitative and quantitative data to the MCC Program Coordinator and MCC State staff.
Reporting to the MCC Program Coordinator and utilizing the staff for support in implementation of TBRI and parent support related responsibilities
Participating in meetings with the MCC State staff, MCC State teams, and MCC peer network as requested
Participating in agency meetings and clinical consultations
Complying with appropriate program standards and guidelines
Completing required agency and funder paperwork in a timely and accurate manner
Coordinating with and providing MCC Program Coordinator with TBRI parenting class schedules in a timely fashion
Providing Clinical Services Coordinator with client schedule in a timely fashion and notifying coordinator of changes in schedule
Notifying Client Services Advocates of status of client appointments (cancellations, no-shows, etc.)
Participating regularly in clinical supervision and/or consultation
Participating in continued education and personal growth experiences
Reviewing professional publications
Establishing personal and community networks
Assessing lethality of individual client situations
Developing and reviewing safety plans with clients
Coordinating and cooperating with law enforcement or other authorities as needed
Complying with agency procedures, rules and regulations
Performing and documenting required collaborative and client contacts in accordance with agency standards
Recording data into MCC management Information System(s); Compulink, VELA or other identified database in a timely manner; and
Adhering to all agency and grant confidentiality policies and procedures
Gathering and documenting necessary demographic and personal information
Ensuring that all necessary paperwork is signed by client and by therapist where appropriate
Completing session reports for each counseling session
Documenting all contacts with or activities on behalf of each client, including TBRI parenting classes, counseling sessions, cancellations and no-shows, advocacy, referrals and phone contacts
Keeping information confidential
Adhering to all ethical guidelines set forth in the Code of Conduct published by the American Counseling Association and Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners
Maintaining licensure and complying with all requirements of licensure board
Communicating effectively
Exhibiting a willingness to help other staff
Demonstrating flexibility and accommodating change
Encouraging and supporting others
Engaging in amenable and cooperative contacts
Giving and receiving feedback
Establishing working relationships with sponsoring, advisory and related service agencies
Performing other duties as related to the position and as assigned
Work non-traditional hours and/or alternate schedule during special projects or to meet agency deadlines