Trauma Systems Therapist

BACKGROUND

Forestdale is a NYC child welfare agency working to prevent child abuse/neglect through parenting, prevention, and foster care services, focusing on low-income and immigrant communities in NYC. Forestdale operates out of three offices to better serve the families of Brooklyn and Queens. We help thousands of families work through complex trauma, parents raise the next amazing generation of children, and youth successfully launch into adulthood. Forestdale’s mission is “to ensure that children and families have the fundamental assets they need to thrive and live independently.”

Job Summary

This position represents the rare opportunity to combine a trauma-focused therapeutic intervention with a holistic approach to casework, helping young people through the stages of healing from trauma while helping the family create a trauma-sensitive environment. Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) is a comprehensive, phase-based treatment program for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma.  The TST Therapist develops and implements a treatment plan designed to strengthen the relationship between the child and their caretaker with the goal of restoring safety, attachment and stability to the child’s life and environment. TST was development by noted child psychiatrist Glenn Saxe, this is an opportunity to work with him and his team at NYU Child Study Center to implement this cutting-edge trauma intervention.

Salary Range

Masters - $32.96/hr

Masters (Bilingual) - $34.07/hr 

Masters (Bilingual, Experience & License) - $34.81/hr - $37.09

Benefits: Join the Forestdale Team and Enjoy Excellent Benefits:

* Four weeks’ vacation

* Medical/dental/vision/life/disability insurance

* 401(k), 7% employer contribution + 2% match

* Tax-deferred health care/dependent care/commuter plans

* Flexible Schedule

* Opportunities for educational scholarships

Major Responsibilities / Activities

* Partner with families to provide assessment, treatment planning, interventions and case management to prevent foster care and promote wellbeing.

* Learn and apply the Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) treatment model by participating in TST training, coaching and case consultation.

* Work collaboratively with the TST treatment team, and all relevant systems and key participants within each system to insure their buy-in and cooperation throughout treatment, including schools, and other service providers.

* Conduct regular home and office visits, and other field visits as needed.

* Provide clinically focused case management including advocacy and referral.

* Assess safety and risk and implement crisis management plans and safety plans as needed.

* Demonstrate strong sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic diversity.

* Document all case activity using the systems of record -  N. Y. S. Connections and the N. Y. C. PROMIS

* Assist with crisis intervention, as needed

Minimum Requirements

* Master’s Degree in Social Work or a related credential from an accredited college or university.

* At least 1- 2 years of experience in case management, counseling and advocacy services.

* Some knowledge of the child welfare system preferred.

* Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.

* Ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule.

* Bi-lingual ability preferred.

Additional Information

Forestdale Inc. is an equal opportunity employer that is proudly committed to becoming an anti-racist and multicultural organization that stands up for justice and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse backgrounds, for administrative support and direct service and leadership roles, who will join us on that journey, uphold our values and approach, and believe in our mission. Additionally, we aim to have a racially representative leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Forestdale Inc. is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and termination of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.