Therapist

Children’s Aid provides comprehensive community services to children of all ages and their families residing in underserved communities throughout New York City. An array of services supports families Every Step of the Way, from cradle to college to alleviate societal challenges that can interrupt a child, adolescent or young adults’ abilities to thrive and maximize their potential.

Children’s Aid offers a continuum of short-term, evidence-based interventions, as well as, the Family Wellness Program and the Safe Way Forward program for families impacted by Intimate Partner Violence (IPV).

Position Summary: The Family Wellness Program (FWP) provides comprehensive trauma-informed and anti-oppressive to families who are affected by IPV, including survivors of IPV, the person who is causing harm (PCH), and children exposed to IPV in the home. Our goal is to help each member of the family establish long-term safety and stability by providing tools to heal from the effects of trauma and end intergenerational of violence. The Therapist will provide direct services to PCHs engaged in the Abuse Intervention Services for Fathers (AISF) component of the FWP. The AISF offers comprehensive abuse intervention services to the PCH who are fathers including case management, supportive counseling, and the Caring Dads intervention group. The goal is to stop relationship abuse, thereby, increasing safety and well-being of children and families. The Therapist will report to the Program Supervisor and provide services in Manhattan and in the South Bronx

Essential Duties:

• Understand and promote the organization’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures;
• Provide comprehensive assessment and trauma screening;
• Co-facilitate a 24-week Abuse Intervention Father’s Group using the Caring Dads curriculum;
• Provide crisis intervention, trauma-informed and anti-oppressive individual counseling, and advocacy;
• Manage data collection for contractual and agency reporting using various databases, including EVOLV;
• Complete documentation and reports in a timely manner and in adherence to contractual expectations;
• Represent the Family Wellness Program and Children’s Aid at interagency and community task force/coalition meetings;
• Conduct community outreach and informational presentations to community providers;
• Provide training, capacity building, and consultation to providers at Children’s Aid, the community, and IPV stakeholders;
• Maintain open communication with FWP leadership, supervisor, and team members;
• Attend all relevant supervision sessions, trainings, and staff meetings;
• Comply with all privacy laws including HIPAA;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree required in Social Work, Mental Health or equivalent required (license pending or eligible)
• Bilingual Spanish/English fluency strongly preferred

Key Competencies:

• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to function independently and also work on a team;
• Ability to meet with clients in our offices in Central Harlem and the South Bronx;
• Ability to work evenings as needed and maintain a flexible work schedule;
• Training and experience providing prevention and intervention services to underserved families affected by intimate partner violence in a trauma-informed, anti-oppressive setting;
• Prior experience working with adults who have caused harm in their relationships preferred;
• Ability to work under pressure and relate to families in crisis;
• Knowledge of the New York City domestic violence service systems, child welfare, and NYC court systems preferred;
• Strong interpersonal/communication and written skills.

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 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, 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.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.