Family Partner Community Service Agency

The Brien Center; Pittsfield (MA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A community mental health organization is seeking a Family Partner to provide supportive services to families. This role involves coordinating care, engaging parents/caregivers, and delivering services in various settings. The ideal candidate should have experience with youth who have special needs and possess strong communication skills. This is a fulfilling opportunity to advocate for families while assisting them in navigating their Care Plan goals.

Qualifications

• Experience as a caregiver of a youth with special needs, preferably in mental health.
• Bachelor’s degree and one year of experience with the target population preferred.
• High school diploma or GED and two years of experience can be substituted.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with providers regarding family Care Plans.
• Engage parents/caregivers in activities to meet youth goals.
• Provide supportive services in families' homes and communities.
• Educate, support, coach, and model for caregivers.
• Attend Wraparound planning and required trainings.
• Complete all paperwork and maintain program policies.

Skills

Excellent oral and presentation skills

Leadership talent

Working knowledge of computers

Knowledge of community resources

Computers

Community resources

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a human services field

High school diploma or GED

High school diploma or GED + 2 years experience

Job description

Weekdays - no nights, weekends or holidays! 1st shift!

General Description

Family Partner is a staff with lived experience who provides supportive services to families and parents to advocate, support, educate, coach, and assist families in accomplishing their Care Plan goals and to negotiate and assist families in working with the Wraparound team.

Essential Job Functions

• Coordinate and collaborate with providers in the family’s team regarding the Care Plan and strategies for intervention; attend all Care Plan meetings, provide input on the family and youth’s goals and update’s on the youth’s progress
• Deliver services in accordance with the care plan developed collaboratively by the providers and parent/caregiver in addition to the youth whenever possible
• Engage the parent/caregiver in activities in the home and community that address goals of the youth’s Care Plan
• Assist the caregiver in meeting the needs of the youth by performing one or more of the following; educating, supporting, coaching, modeling and/or guiding the caregiver
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures relating to all components of consumer peer support services
• Deliver services in the parent/caregiver’s home and community
• Complete all paperwork in a timely manner
• Follow all policies of the Brien Center
• Participate in Wraparound Care planning
• Participate in all relevant staff meetings, supervision and required trainings
• Update supervisor on collateral contacts on a regular basis
• Complete all tasks assigned which impact the organized function of the program

Other Responsibilities

• Provide atmosphere conducive to enhancing mental health and recovery in keeping with human rights of consumers
• Promote Family and Youth voice and choice
• Maintain required productivity levels
• Attend all required meetings and Brien Center trainings
• Represent the agency in a professional manner at all times
• Report any incident regarding accidents, injuries and unusual events to program director
• Flexibly respond to program scheduling needs of the parent/caregiver and youth
• Provide transportation when necessary to facilitate Care Plan

Qualifications

• Experience as a caregiver of a youth with special needs, preferably a youth with mental health needs.
• Bachelor’s degree in a human services field from an accredited university and one year of experience working with the target population is preferred
• An associate’s degree in a human service field from an accredited school and one year of experience working with children/adolescents/transition age youth may be substituted
• A high school diploma or GED and a minimum of two years of experience with the target population or navigating child and family serving systems may be substituted

Skills

• Excellent oral and presentation skills
• Leadership talent and the ability to delegate effectively
• Working knowledge of computers
• Knowledge of community resources

Other Requirements

• Able to respond to program scheduling and family needs on a flexible basis; this may include working after regular business hours to provide for the needs of the family
• Attend Community Health Worker Training and receive certification within 1 year of hire or transfer to position
• Support and maintain the principles and policies of The Brien Center
• Maintain ethical and professional standards
• Represent the agency in a professional manner in all community and caregiver contacts
• Demonstrate commitment to the agency’s mission and community mental health principles
• Valid US driver’s license
• Use of personally insured automobile
• Driver’s License check (RMV)
• Criminal Offender Record Information check (CORI)