Department
Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
Responsibilities

• Conducts therapeutic intervention sessions with the teen mother, father, and child utilizing an Infant Mental Health framework within the home setting including dyadic therapy, developmental guidance, addressing issues of violence/abuse/trauma, and supporting the responsiveness of the young parent and their child. Encourages the teens in developing life skills by helping them to establish goals, maintain healthy relationships, use community services, and reduce court-involvement.
• Provides assessments to teen and baby during intake, exit from the program, and other data points using professional observation and standardized instruments. Facilitates referrals to community agencies for teen parents and their children related to complex needs to include trauma-related services, Part C/Early Intervention Early Steps, and mandatory reporting to the abuse registry as required by law.
• Works collaboratively with team members through on-going communication, coordination of services, and weekly team meetings. Participates in reflective supervision to discuss cases and plan intervention strategies based on the Minding the Baby model. Participates in the Young Parents Project Fatherhood Initiative to include young fathers as project participants.
• Completes written documentation in a timely manner with a focus on the parent/child relationship and the requirements of program funders. Compiles data and reports about project activities. Uses expertise in reporting information utilizing an Infant Mental Health framework.
• Attends court hearings as needed and responds to requests for updates about project participation, risk and protective factors, parental responsiveness to the young child, and trauma-related issues.
• Attends recommended trainings to increase knowledge, skills and abilities. Shares lessons learned from experience in working with teen parents and children with others in the field.

• Master's degree in Social Work/Psychology/Mental Health Counseling or related field and two years experience working with families with complex needs, especially adolescents.
• Licensed, license-eligible, or meet criteria to register as clinical intern with the Florida Department of Health.
• Valid State of Florida Driver's License or the ability to obtain prior to hire.

• Ability to deal with crises and manage sensitive information.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Knowledge of standard concepts, practices, and procedures of health, human services, and counseling programs.
• Working knowledge of child and adolescent development.