The Therapeutic Visitation Specialist at The YMCA of the Jersey Shore intentionally fosters a cause-centered culture that is welcoming, genuine, hopeful, nurturing, and determined. Responsible for supporting parent-child visitation for families in their homes or communities who require therapeutic intervention; completing initial intake assessments, assessment tools, and visitation plans; documenting visits and completing reports; facilitating parent debriefings before and after visits and visitation planning meetings; transporting children and/or parents; communicating with children, parents, relatives, resource parents, DCP&P, and/or other stakeholders by phone and in person; attending various meetings and trainings; and assessing families' service needs and linking them to appropriate community providers.

ABOUT SUPPORTIVE VISTATION SERVICES

Parent-child visitation services for CP&P- involved families with children in out-of-home placement to maintain and strengthen familial interactions and facilitate permanency. Services are provided in the least restrictive setting that maintains safety along a continuum of supervision based on family need. Core activities include ongoing assessment, visitation, aftercare (post-reunification support), transportation and documentation. This position is contingent upon the availability of grant funding. Engaging Initiates and maintains ongoing communication with families in a culturally sensitive manner utilizing a family's preferred language taking into consideration a family's faith and culture. Schedules and conducts visits in the least-restrictive, most home-like location (the first preference being within the family's home) while ensuring the safety of the children. Ensures the environment for parent-child contact is safe, non-traumatizing, and promotes healthy attachment. Uses strengths-based, solutions-focused, family centered, trauma informed strategies to elicit family input. Initiates and maintains ongoing communication with DCP&P, other providers, and supports. Assessing Uses a process to gather information which includes reviewing collateral information and inquiring about family's natural supports. Completes required assessment tools including but not limited to bio-psychological assessments, Rose Wentz Matrix and SVS Caregiver Surveys and documents contacts with families in agency's progress notes and DCP&P contact sheets. Creates a visitation plan with active familial involvement and updates the plan at regular intervals. Active Listening Creates an environment that empowers family members, including parents, children, and caregivers to communicate their goals and Utilizes various interviewing and/or communication techniques in a culturally competent manner. Recognizes non-verbal communication and maintains good eye contact and posture. Teaming Advocates for parents/families as necessary and supports them in advocating for Links the family to community resources and formal and informal supports and coordinates with DCP&P. Collaborates with and shares relevant information with DCP&P staff, other providers, and supports. Deliver and score assessment Coaching Enhances parental skills by goal setting, modeling, mentoring, reinforcement and feedback and reflection through a trauma-informed perspective. Prepares for each visit with caregivers reviewing goals and expectations and encouraging them to be the lead in visit planning. Debriefs with caregivers after each visit to allow for processing and self-reflection and discussion of strengths and challenges. Operational Contact referral source and client within 2 business days of receipt of referral. Carry a caseload of 3 visit hours and 1 transport hours daily. Part-time staff will conduct a prorated number of transportation and visit hours per week based on hours worked. Available a minimum of 3 evenings per week. Establish visit parameters with all parties involved. Provide transportation to family members who require it as per caseworker. Supervisor visits according to level of supervision required by caseworker, the exception being emergency bathroom breaks. Document activity and interaction between family members during visits and provide copies to caseworkers within 5 business days of visit. Complete program paperwork in a timely manner including end-of-month paperwork, weekly schedules, vehicle log/maintenance, expense forms, and evaluation forms. Complete all record keeping according to COA and DCF standards. Compile and transmit all required progress reports and termination summaries. Attend and participate in weekly clinical supervision. Attend all mandatory training. Participate in all DCF and YMCA meetings. Maintain a safe driving record. Valid NJ Driver's License and clean driver's abstract. Minimum of 1 year's experience with children and families, particularly families involved with the child welfare system and/or affected by trauma. Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling or related field. Valid Professional license (LPC, LAC, LSW, CSW). May be in process of obtaining licensure. Knowledge of trauma and effect on children and families. Experience/willingness to work with culturally diverse populations. Skills in problem analysis and problem resolution at both a strategic and functional level. Ability to communicate effectively.