Therapeutic Visitation Specialist; LPC, LAC, LSW, or CSW

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark is one of New Jersey’s largest non‑profit social service agencies serving Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties.

Full‑Time Therapeutic Visitation Specialist –
Supportive Visitation Services program located in Union City, NJ
. This position requires non‑negotiable travel within Hudson & Bergen County, NJ. Starting Salary: $72k-$75k
.

• Initiate and maintain ongoing communication with families in a culturally sensitive manner utilizing a family's preferred language, taking into consideration a family's faith and culture.
• Schedule and conduct visits in the least-restrictive, most home‑like location (first preference within the family's home) while ensuring the safety of children.
• Ensure the environment for parent‑child contact is safe, non‑traumatizing, and promotes healthy attachment.
• Use strengths‑based, solutions‑focused, family‑centered, trauma‑informed strategies to elicit family input.
• Initiate and maintain ongoing communication with DCP&P, other providers, and supports.
• Gather information through review of collateral information and inquiry about family's natural supports.
• Complete required assessment tools, including but not limited to bio‑psychological assessments, Rose Wentz Matrix and SVS Caregiver Surveys, and document contacts with families in agency's progress notes and DCP&P contact sheets.
• Create a visitation plan with active familial involvement and update the plan at regular intervals.
• Create an environment that empowers family members, including parents, children, and caregivers to communicate their goals and needs.
• Utilize various interviewing and/or communication techniques in a culturally competent manner.
• Recognize non‑verbal communication and maintain good eye contact and posture.
• Advocate for parents/families as necessary and support them in advocating for themselves.
• Link the family to community resources and formal and informal supports and coordinate with DCP&P.
• Collaborate with and share relevant information with DCP&P staff, other providers, and supports.
• Facilitate visit planning meetings and participate in other relevant meetings.
• Use clinical interventions and trauma‑informed approaches to promote behavioral change in caregivers and children through education, modeling, reinforcement, and empowerment.
• Enhance parental skills by goal setting, modeling, mentoring, reinforcement and feedback and reflection through a trauma‑informed perspective.
• Prepare for each visit with caregivers, reviewing goals and expectations and encouraging them to be the lead in visit planning.
• Debrief with caregivers after each visit to allow for processing and self‑reflection and discussion of strengths and challenges.

• M‑F 10 AM–6 PM or 8 AM–6 PM; some nights/weekends/holidays may be required.

• Master’s degree in social work, counseling, or related field.
• Minimum 1 year experience working with children & families, particularly families involved with the welfare system and/or affected by trauma.
• Valid NJ Driver’s License.
• Valid LPC, LAC, LSW, or CSW license.