JOB TITLE: Child Development Therapist

REPORTS TO: Clinical Supervisor 

SCHEDULE: Sunday-Thursday (9:00am-5:30pm)

LOCATION: Venice, CA and Inglewood, CA with intermittent field-based work; Access Center and The Nest Family Housing Program; On-site

STATUS: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, Non-Exempt 

DRIVER POSITION: Yes [If yes, see driving policy below] 

SALARY RANGE:  $70,304 - $75,000

ABOUT US: 

Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is the leading service provider for youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in West Los Angeles. Founded in 2011, our agency offers trauma-informed, low barrier programs that support young people in exiting the streets and achieving stability. Our robust continuum of care includes street outreach, drop-in services, health and wellness programming, case management, education and employment services, and housing programs. 

SPY is a unique social impact agency that values community collaboration, and a deep commitment to the wellbeing of youth. If you have the skills, passion, and collaborative spirit, join our growing team.  

ABOUT THE ROLE: 

The Child Development Therapist (CDT) will support the growth and development of SPY’s clinical programming by offering services responsive to the needs of transitional age youth who are pregnant and/or parenting and their children. The CDT will provide child and family services, education, training, consultation, and referrals to support families in meeting their goals. 

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Work collaboratively to develop, innovate, and grow SPY’s Pregnant and Parenting (P&P) Program in alignment with SPY’s Strategic Plan. 
• Outreach and engage transitional age youth who are pregnant and parenting. 
• Provide child and parent therapy services at our drop-in Center (Venice, CA), at our family housing sites (Inglewood, CA), and as needed in community settings. 
• Develop and facilitate therapeutic groups, educational workshops, developmentally appropriate activities, and family connection events. 
• In collaboration with parents, facilitate developmental assessments with children and provide guidance to parents and team on interpreting assessment outcomes. 
• Provide referrals and support families in resource connection and navigation. 
• Collaborate with members to develop care plans designed to meet child and parent goals, utilize clinically appropriate trauma-informed interventions, and document progress. 
• Support SPY programs in developing inclusive spaces for families that promote connection, health and wellness, and positive social and emotional development. 
• Ensure services with youth and families are strengths based, non-judgmental, and trauma-informed.
• Contribute to clinical case conferences at the drop-in center and family housing sites. 
• Design and facilitate training for staff related to child development. 
• Complete documentation, activity tracking, and outcome reporting in a timely manner.
• In collaboration with P&P Team, manage inventory and dissemination of supplies for the P&P Program. 
• Advocate and build community partnerships by attending external community meetings and events. 
• Work collaboratively across internal departments and assist with general SPY programming as needed.
• Work within established legal and ethical guidelines.
• Other duties as assigned to support the mission of the organization. 

WHAT YOU’LL NEED 

• Master's degree in Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling, Child Development, Psychology, Early Childhood Education, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, or a related field required.
• Valid registration with the BBS as an ASW, AMFT, or APCC required, with a practice specialty in child therapy.
• At least 2 years of experience working with infants and toddlers and their families. 
• 2 years of experience working with transitional age youth, preferred. 
• Excellent skills in rapport building and collaborative practices with parents. 
• Knowledge of child development, sexual and reproductive health, prenatal and post-partum health, intimate partner violence, harm reduction, and intergenerational trauma.
• Excellent verbal de-escalation and crisis response skills. 
• Commitment to inclusive and restorative justice practices, anti-racism, social justice, and trauma-informed care. 
• Cultural sensitivity, responsiveness, and humility. 
• High level of personal accountability for the quality and impact of work; a self-starter who is prepared to drive innovative solutions for an emerging organization and an openness to learning. 
• An ability to work in a fast-paced environment that requires effective collaboration with a variety of individuals, departments, and organizations, as well as the capacity to work independently. 
• Excellent communication, organizational, and teamwork skills.
• Knowledge of child and dependent adult abuse mandated reporting laws. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Changes in the environment, such as the office or outdoors.
• Physical effort/lifting, such as sedentary- up to 15-20 pounds at times.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

Mandated Reporting Requirements: All SPY employees are mandated reporters and are legally required to report any reasonable suspicion of child, elder, or dependent adult abuse or neglect.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: Effective August 9, 2021, the State Health Officer has mandated that all workers, paid or unpaid, in homeless services organizations must provide proof of vaccination. If eligible for a booster shot, proof of booster is also required. Please submit proof of vaccination to HR@safeplaceforyouth.org. To request a reasonable accommodation or exemption, please get in touch with HR at the same email address. It's important to note that these accommodations are not guaranteed.

Driver Positions:

Applicants are required to provide a copy of their driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles, along with a copy of their valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Job offers are contingent upon a satisfactory driving record.

For driver positions, driving is an essential job function and cannot be reasonably accommodated, employment may be discontinued.

NOTE: All staff members will be considered introductory employees for the first three months of employment and will not be considered regular employees until the conclusion of this period. SPY reserves the right to extend an employee’s introductory period. In no way does the expiration of this introductory period change the fact that all employees are at-will.

Employees continue to have the right to terminate their employment/business relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, and SPY has the same right. The organization, in its sole discretion, may change the job duties, responsibilities and assignments of any position, at any time.

BENEFITS & PERKS:

Safe Place for Youth offers a competitive benefit package including comprehensive health coverage, 403b with agency contribution, and ample paid time off. We also offer unique perks including professional development opportunities that are tailored to your individual career growth. 

EEO STATEMENT:

All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Safe Place for Youth does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law. 

Safe Place for Youth is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. In addition, the organization will consider employment-qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Please include references in your application.