Therapist (FFT)

Manhattan Family Services Center (60 Lafayette St, 3rd Floor)

$62,400 - $65,000

*Sign-On Bonus Eligible*

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.

FFT is a clinical, evidence-based intensive family therapy model of approximately 4-month duration that focuses on the multiple domains of client experiences (cognitive, emotional and behavioral) and their impact on the relationship between the adolescent and the family. It is comprised of five distinct phases of service delivery, thereby allowing the therapist to maintain fidelity to the model by focusing on the relational context of the family disruption. Our FFT programs are mostly home-based and works with the family unit. This model serves adolescents between the ages of 11 and 17 and their families by targeting the factors in the family interactions/relationships that are contributing to the negative behaviors.

Responsibilities: General responsibilities for the position of FFT Therapist include, but are not limited to:

• 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.
• In-person collaboration is an essential function of the job.
• 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 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 to 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, or 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.