Counselor - Families Now

Families Now Mission

FAMILIES NOW IS AN INTENSIVE FAMILY PRESERVATION PROGRAM SERVING FAMILIES RESIDING IN ULSTER COUNTY. UTILIZING A STRENGTHS-BASED AND SOLUTION-FOCUSED MODEL, FAMILIES NOW COUNSELORS ARE POSITIVE COLLABORATORS WHO CAN INSPIRE DYNAMIC CHANGE AND HOPEFULNESS WITHIN THE FAMILY FRAMEWORK.

POSITION:  Family Counselor

REPORTS TO:  Program Director

PAY AND BENEFITS: Annual salary begins at $60,000

Paid time vacation and sick time; employer contribution toward health insurance; retirement contributions after two years of employment; 100% employee contribution 403B available; mileage reimbursement from the Families Now office to client homes and for client transportation, at the federal rate.

HOURS: Full Time 40-hours/week; On-call 24 hrs/day Monday- Friday. Staff rotates weekend crisis coverage.

Position Summary

Provide intensive home-based services to families at imminent risk of losing one or more of their children to an out-of-home placement (i. e.: foster care, residential, or group home). Each Families Now counselor carries a caseload of two families for a period of four to six weeks.

10-15 direct contact hours per week is spent with each family. The amount of time allotted for concrete services and counseling focus depends on the unique needs of the family. The program provides around-the-clock crisis availability. Treatment takes place primarily in the family’s home or in a location chosen by them.

Responsibilities

• Provide intensive services delivered at the point of crisis; continuously reassess for safety throughout intervention.

• Practice solution-focused and skills-based interventions based on strengths and needs.

• Provide concrete services for meeting basic needs (food, clothing, shelter).

• Procure pertinent wrap-around services. Provide information and referrals to appropriate community resources.

• Conduct in-person home visits  3-5 days per week. *Counselors use their own vehicles for all visits and client transport.

• Maintain daily progress notes to provide a record of case activity. Write Family Assessment Service Plans, termination summaries, and case reviews.

• Participate in weekly individual supervision and weekly staff meetings.

• Educate families in areas commonly associated with child development, parent training, anger management, behavioral management skills, communication, structure, and other family needs.

• Collaborate with the local Department of Social Services regarding treatment protocol and recommendations.

Educational Qualifications

• Master’s in Social Work (MSW) or a BSW

• Professional licensure is preferred but not required

General Qualifications

• 3 + years of in field social work/counseling experience - work with clients in home and experience working with DSS clients preferred

• Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle

• Ability to maintain confidentiality

• Ability to walk up and down stairs

Equal Opportunity

YWCA Ulster County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the law.