Reunification Clinician

The Child & Family Guidan•Bridgeport, CT

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Since 1925 The Child and Family Guidance Center has been serving children and families. We provide culturally informed mental health care and complementary supports, regardless of ability to pay. If you would like to be a part of our team and make real difference in people’s lives. The Child and Family Guidance Center is currently seeking a full-time Clinician for our Reunification and Therapeutic Family Time program. The RTFT Clinician is responsible for facilitating reunification by providing intensive support and education to families so that successful and permanent family reunification is achieved. The RFTF Clinician will provide three service types that may be used in combination with one another or requested by the department as individual components based on the needs of the family. The three service types are: Reunification Readiness, Reunification Services and Therapeutic Family Time. Therapeutic Family Time with the utilization of the Visit Coaching Model, focusing on, repairing relationships and improving parental functioning is initiated with Family Conferences held at critical junctures during a three-stage process.

Requirements

Masters’ degree in Social Work, Human Services or related field
Must have valid CT driver’s license and reliable transportation
Experience working with children with emotional and behavioral problems and their families: 2 years (Required)
Ability and willingness to work with families of all races and socio-economic backgrounds with cultural competence and sensitivity.
Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 Virus

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of child abuse and neglect (mandated reporting) statutes preferred.
Bi-lingual Spanish (preferred)

Responsibilities

Prior to the initiation of reunification services, the Clinician will work with the family for up to 30 days to provide feedback and recommendations regarding the family's readiness for reunification.
Provide Therapeutic Family Time/ Family Time Services to assigned families who have been identified as needing services, including but not limited to parenting and child development education, advocacy and support, and assistance with obtaining community resources.
Review/explore safety concerns and risk factors that may impact child safety with the family and DCF
Observe family interactions and assess family functioning, skills, parental capabilities, and parent's motivation to change.
Implement the Visit Coaching Model
Identify family resources and informal/formal supports with the family and how they may be used in safety planning;
Identify family strengths and needs as well as problems and barriers that may be impacting reunification.
Complete initial (North Carolina Family Assessment Scale for General Services and Reunification (NCFAS- G+R) within 14 days of referral.
Utilizes recognized curricula to improve parenting skills and increase parents understanding of normal child growth and development
Develops strength-based service plans in partnership with the parents to address areas identified as challenges or goals
Assists and models for the parents in how to seek and obtain outside resources
Maintains collaborative relationship with substitute caregivers and other community and medical providers as needed
Maintains adequate case-load of families working within the guidelines, policies, procedures, and mission of The Child & Family Guidance Center.