Child Life Development Specialist

Position Summary: As Starlight’s Child Life Development Specialist (CLDS), you will design and facilitate age-appropriate and developmentally enriching therapeutic activities to help the children we serve adjust to various changes and transitions as they recover from the cycle of abuse and addictions alongside their mothers. You will also provide direct support to the Starlight and Education Teams by working with families to provide consistent behavior management of children in conjunction with their family values and cultural beliefs to improve family bonds and relationships. The overall goal is to provide a long-term, residential and therapeutic community for women and their children to break adverse cycles and rebuild their families.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

· Commit to and implement the TDARS faith-based, Christ-centered program values and statement of faith.

· Assist with facilitating healthy and positive interactions for mothers and their children in a culturally supportive way.

· Provide psychosocial and emotional support to the children through 1:1 interaction and leading weekly psycho-social, skill-building group focused on emotional regulation and therapeutic progress.

· Assist with needs assessment and referrals for children in conjunction with the Starlight and Education Teams.

· Assist Parenting and Family Coach (PFC) in supporting the reunification process and family visitation arrangements.

· Share knowledge and observations during weekly team consultations with the Starlight Team.

· Support PFC as needed/assigned including but not limited to parent-bonding activities, collaborative meetings with teachers and providers, and behavioral support in cottage and community settings.

· Show professional work habits by keeping spoken and written information confidential, respects others, uses time well and is dependable.

· Recognize strengths and weaknesses in children; teach effective coping skills to children.

· Foster trust and encourage children.

· Assess and evaluate children to determine their therapeutic needs; make therapeutic referrals for children when necessary.

· Lead therapeutic play and creative arts activities for children.

· Model and teach therapeutic play and creative arts activities for mothers to engage with their children.

· Lead children’s group sessions.

· Implement appropriate emotional outlets for children to help improve emotional regulation.

· Identify mechanisms to improve communication between children and mothers.

· Communicate children’s needs and action plans with mothers, staff, and teachers.

· Participate in weekly staffing meetings and assists with special projects and tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

· Attend at least one training session per year on cultural competency.

· Will be required to work evenings and/or weekend hours to support the success of the program.

· Support families to build positive social networks.

· Collaborate with the Starlight and Education Teams in planning, training, and providing support to participants and their children.

· Actively support a trauma informed and responsive work environment as demonstrated in the five core values of safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.

· Assure adherence to COA standards for accreditation in every aspect of the program.

· Assist with research of new or existing evidenced-based programs and “best practices” in other local, state and national programs and develop plans to either model and implement or suggest elimination from recovery program offerings as appropriate.

· Seek to optimize use of donated and free resources.

· Help meet the quality improvement efforts of Tamassee DAR School by supporting and encouraging a culture of excellence and continual improvement.

· Performs related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, or related field.

· A minimum of 5 year’s work experience directly with target population with emphasis in children and family systems. Prior experience in the substance use field is highly desired to include recovery advocacy experience, and/or peer support certification. Must have at least 5 years continuous recovery from a substance use disorder, if applicable.

· Knowledge of local, state and federal laws related to programming.

· Flexibility to work extended program hours, especially as seasons and service needs change.

· Must have excellent Interpersonal Skills and Collaborative Skills.

· Understanding of Cultural Competency.

· Has compassion for the population that Starlight serves and the effect addiction has on children.

· Is knowledgeable of various therapeutic methods and recognizes the best approach for each child’s individual needs.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position may have assigned oversight of volunteers of the Starlight program.

Additional Leadership Duties:

· Serve as a member of the Starlight Team

· Other duties as deemed necessary by the Recovery Program Officer

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $35,000.00 - $40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• On call
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Commute:

• Tamassee, SC 29686 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Tamassee, SC 29686: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person