Foster Care Therapist

FOSTER CARE THERAPIST, full-time
To be considered for an open position, please complete an application, available at: The
Baby Fold, 108 E. Willow St., Normal or www.TheBabyFold.us.
The Baby Fold is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
BASIC FUNCTIONS: The Foster Care Therapist is responsible for the development of treatment plans and the provision of
therapy and counseling to children and families served through The Baby Fold’s foster care programs.
WORK HOURS: Full-time, exempt
OFFICE LOCATION: The Baby Fold’s Family Center, 612 Oglesby Ave., Normal, IL
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Assessment: Conducts Mental Health Assessments that are compliant with contractual. COA and Medicaid Rule 132
requirements.
2. Service and treatment planning: In conjunction with client and treatment team, as applicable, develops
individualized treatment plans and facilitates treatment planning sessions that are compliant with contractual, COA,
and Medicaid Rule 132 requirements. Participates in client service planning, court hearings, administrative case
reviews, individualized educational planning and other service and treatment planning activities as necessary and in
accordance with program requirements.
3. Counseling/Therapy: Provides individual, family, and group counseling and therapy, as well as parent education, in
accordance with client treatment plans. Service provision may take place in many different settings including,
agency, school and/or home environment.
4. Case Consultation: Consults with psychologists and psychiatrists or other involved service providers on behalf of
clients, as necessary. Participates in treatment teams and Child and Family Team meetings as needed.
5. Record Keeping: Documentation must meet agency, Medicaid Rule 132 and COA requirements for completeness,
accuracy, and timeliness.
6. Transportation: Provides transportation for children and/or family members to appointments as assigned.
7. Community Relations: Represents the agency in a positive light to active and potential clients, referral and funding
sources, and the general public. Utilizes community contacts to advocate for clients and to promote child and family
welfare.
8. Legal and ethical responsibilities: Complies with all pertinent state and federal laws, DCFS Rules and Procedures,
Medicaid Rule 132 requirements, COA standards, HIPAA privacy law and the Code of Ethics for Child Welfare
Professionals.
9. Professional Development: Enhances professional competence through ongoing awareness of developments in the
field of child welfare with specific emphasis on new and emerging treatment modalities. Assists with training,
supervision, and evaluation of student interns and new staff, as assigned.
10. Quality Improvement: Contributes to quality improvement through active participation in Quality Improvement
activities.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling or a related field required.
2. Must meet definition of a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) as defined in Medicaid Rule 132. Licensed
Practitioner of the Healing Arts (LPHA) preferred.
2. Two years of post-graduate therapy experience preferred.
Posted: 1/9/2015
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Previous trauma treatment experience in art, music, or dance therapy preferred.
Experience with children/adolescents with special needs preferred.
Experience with Medicaid Mental Health services preferred.
Knowledge of and skills necessary to apply the principles of child welfare and mental health treatment to specific
cases.
Willingness and ability to work evening and weekend hours as needed to meet the needs of the agency and the
families we serve.
Demonstrated competence in serving a culturally diverse population. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively
with a diverse workforce.
Physical ability to maintain the safety and well-being of children for whom there is responsibility.
Ability and willingness to travel for job responsibilities, including long distance driving, the ability to enter the homes
of families in the service area, a valid driver’s license that has not been revoked or suspended within the past three
years, and use of a personal vehicle with adequate insurance. Must meet DCFS requirements for transportation of
children.
Ability to communicate effectively with client population.
Ability to work cooperatively with staff within The Baby Fold, as well as with necessary collateral contacts.
Must pass drug screen and necessary background checks.
Mission oriented and willing to apply The Baby Fold’s standards and beliefs to the performance of job duties.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently
required to sit and drive long distance. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle,
or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch. Must have hand and eye coordination and
manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer keyboard and basic office equipment. The employee must sometimes
lift and/or carry small children, records and/or other items up to 50 pounds. Must have the physical ability to enter
homes and other work-related environments that are not handicap accessible.
Vision and hearing requirements: Close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus; visually and auditorially
assess a child’s well-being and provide auditory assessments of the mental and emotional condition of a child; visually
assess the safety and condition of home environments; and communicate effectively with, staff, clients, and others in
person, by telephone, and in writing.
Cognitive abilities: Employees must be able to use deductive reasoning to apply general rules to specific problems;
demonstrate problem sensitivity to tell when something is wrong or likely to go wrong; demonstrate Social
perceptiveness by being aware of others’ reactions and why they act as they do; and use self-awareness to be aware of
one’s feelings and behaviors.
Posted: 1/9/2015

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