Sociotherapist

The Socio-Therapist (ST) primary role is to support foster parents to manage children’s emotional/behavorial issues; provide support around sustainability in the foster home by developing and implementing individual “Trauma Systemic Therapy” [TST] action plans, based on the core mode for Treatment Family Foster Care. The Socio-Therapist will conduct weekly home visits to foster parents and children and ensure that the TST model is implemented; and collaborate with EFFC Case Planners, school/day treatment programs, and NYF treatment team staff to develop corresponding treatment plans. The ST will  assist as needed to achieve safety, well-being and permanency. The ST will participate in all treatment plans, case management and clinical reviews. The ST will take a primary/secondary role during all crises and ensure follow up after such events. The ST shall engage medical and or mental health providers in the case planning for the child’s medical and mental health services. The ST will help the foster parents develop and reinforce the behavior modification program to achieve stability for the youth. Track and monitor when youth attend outside mental heath clinics to ensure NYF receives all necessary reports. The ST will participate in behavior management training, TST training,  and must be available for emergencies , some weeknights and some weekends. 

• Engage with  foster parents and foster youth using motivational interviewing techniques and assess for safety and risk factors for children currently in care and in planning for permanency.
• Provide intensive training, consultation and supportive services to children and youth with identified Axis V diagnoses who with additional resources can remain in a family setting and achieve positive growth and development. 
• Conduct behavior modification trainings with therapeutic foster parents using the ABC model.
• Implement evidence-based and evidence-informed models including Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) and ABC action plans with foster parents, and youth.  This includes weekly home visits, participating in family conferences and treatment team meetings. 
• Responsible for planning and engaging youth in therapeutic recreational and social activities.
• Develop safety plans and utilize crisis intervention skills to de-escalate conflicts in a trauma-informed approach
• Provide close monitoring of medication(s) (Pill count)
• Attend court when necessary.

Administrative Responsibilities  

• Maintain access to Connections and other database systems for entering confidential information as required by New York state, city and Foundling’s compliance guidelines
• Timely documentation of weekly progress notes via Connections
• Attend team meetings, interdisciplinary treatment team conferences,TST workshops, case consultations and individual and group coaching 
• Maintain a caseload of 8 children on average
• Conduct weekly home visits to foster parents and youth (total of 4 vists a month)
• 2 of the visits must be in the foster home/2 in the community; and maintain a visitor log when in the FH.

• Regular and punctual time and attendance, and adherence to The Foundling’s and your department’s specific time and attendance policies and protocol.
• Consistent demonstrated commitment to The Foundling’s BHAG, mission, vision and values (Compassion, Dignity, Family and Community, Diversity, Excellence).
• Adherence to The Foundling’s employee policies, Code of Conduct and applicable rules, laws, regulations or bargaining agreements.
• [If applicable:] Appropriate engagement with support departments to ensure appropriate and timely hiring, performance management, investigation, discipline, suspension, and restructuring decisions concerning direct reports. Regular supervision and performance evaluation of direct reports.
• All other duties and/or tasks that may be assigned.

Preferred:

• Personal Characteristics
• Computer Literacy
• Knowledge of CWBH/Junvenile Justice System
• Working with adults in Development Disabilities Population

2+ years experience

Skills:

• Assessment Skills
• Computer literacy
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Listening Skills
• Advocacy Skills

Bachelor degree

• BSWdegree and/or higher