Therapist, Family Advocacy & Support Services

The purpose of a Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) Therapist in the Preventive Service Department is to provide the TST model for families with children (ages 5 and over) who are impacted by trauma and may be at risk for foster care placement. The Preventive Services Department delivers child‑welfare services using evidence‑based models to ensure families can provide safe environments for their children, keep children safe in their homes, and reduce the need for foster care.

Prevention is an essential part of the child‑welfare continuum and requires a commitment to the wellbeing of all family members. All services are provided in the client’s home and community.

The Therapist works with families to assess their needs, develop intervention plans, and deliver therapy sessions tailored to each family’s unique circumstances. They collaborate with other service providers to ensure a comprehensive approach to care, monitor progress, adjust treatment plans as necessary, and work toward successful case closure. The Therapist helps families overcome challenges, strengthen relationships, and create a safe and nurturing environment within the child‑welfare system.

• Provide child‑welfare preventive services exclusively or primarily within the client’s home and community.
• Learn and implement the TST model.
• Improve the caregiver–child relationship to restore the child’s functioning.
• Integrate case‑management services with an assigned evidence‑based model to help families meet basic needs, promote stability, and reduce stress.
• Collaborate and coordinate services with all providers working with the family to ensure needs are adequately addressed.
• Identify and evaluate risk.
• Conduct assessments, review referral information, identify and engage key participants, identify strengths and weaknesses, and collaboratively develop goals.
• Engage caregivers and other key participants in active, change‑oriented treatment by identifying and overcoming engagement barriers.
• Provide services exclusively or primarily within the client’s home and community.
• Adhere to the model’s fidelity – work within its structure regarding length of treatment, case contacts, interventions, supervision, and documentation.
• Participate in consultations with the model developer and audio/video‑record sessions for training and supervision purposes.
• Maintain clear and concise documentation in CNNX, including progress notes, Family Services Assessment Plans, and enter data into PROMIS; prepare reports to Probation if required.
• Work a hybrid schedule based on program needs.
• Be comfortable with group supervision and commit to professional development goals to improve adherence.
• Work a flexible schedule to meet family needs.
• Outreach to generate referrals for the program.
• Collaborate with a team to meet client, program, and division needs.
• Complete additional tasks as assigned.

• Basic social work knowledge and understanding of stages of change.
• Ability to provide in‑home therapy and child‑welfare services.
• Ability to establish a strong therapeutic relationship with families.
• Understanding of family‑therapy principles to provide services.
• Understanding of early childhood development and related theories and models of practice.
• Strong assessment skills to evaluate dynamics and interactions within the family.
• Ability to implement strategies to improve family communication and support.

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Creative Arts Therapy, or a related subject area.

• Experience working in the client’s home.
• Experience working in a Child Welfare, JJI, or Adolescent‑Focused program.
• Experience and/or knowledge of evidence‑based models, motivational interviewing, and solution‑focused work; experience working within diverse communities.
• Direct practice with families.

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge and experience with the Connections system (preferred).

• Must be able to travel within New York City carrying equipment such as a notebook,…