FIT Family Partner

The Home for Little Wanderers; Somerville (MA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

The Home for Little Wanderers is seeking a FIT Family Partner to support youth under 21 with SED, SUD, ASD, IDD and their families under the CBHI framework. You will use lived experience as a parent to help navigate systems and improve family skill-building and advocacy.

The role involves collaborating with clinicians, providing caregiver education, and connecting families to community resources. A valid driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle are required.

Qualifications

• Personal experience navigating child, family, or behavioral health systems.
• Fluency in a second language is a plus.
• Computer literacy and ability to learn new software.

Responsibilities

• Provide caregivers with tools to advocacy and navigate community resources and systems.
• Support caregivers in advocating for their youth’s needs.
• Coach families on strategies for emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs.

Skills

Parent/caregiver experience

Advocacy for families

Strong communication

Computer literacy

Fluency in second language

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human services

Associates degree in human services

High school diploma/HiSET + 2 years related experience

Tools

EHR systems

MS Office

Job description

When you join The Home for Little Wanderers, you join a team of professionals dedicated to creating better, brighter futures for kids.

For over 200 years, The Home for Little Wanderers has helped build stable lives and hopeful tomorrows for vulnerable children and their families. Our 25+ community-based and residential programs serve thousands of at-risk youths from birth to age 26. Many of these children have experienced abuse, neglect, trauma, or a disrupted family life. As the oldest child welfare agency in America, we provide them with safe surroundings, permanent loving relationships, and a secure path toward a better, brighter future.

How You Will Be Making a Difference

Under the direction of the Program Director and Senior Fit Clinician, the FIT Family Partner provides support to youth under the age of 21 with a Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) SUD, ASD, IDD and their families under the CBHI framework. The FIT Family Partner uses their lived experience as a parent or caregiver of a child with emotional, behavioral, mental health needs to support caregiver to navigate systems to improve skill building, emotional regulation, and advocacy. The FIT Family Partner works closely with the FIT clinician and FIT paraprofessional to help implement identified tasks on the youth/family’s treatment plan.

Primary Job Functions

• Provide caregivers with tools to build advocacy and navigate community resources and larger child-serving systems.
• Support caregivers with advocating for the needs of their youth.
• Coach families on how to implement effective strategies to address emotional, behavioral, mental health needs.
• Provide education around child development, parenting strategies, mental health and trauma.
• Connect families to resources in their community to address the identified needs.
• Participate in monthly meetings facilitated by the FIT clinician.
• Complete progress notes in the electronic health record system.
• Maintain regular communication with FIT team regarding status updates on progress and challenges.
• Collaborate with CBHI service, emergency provider, families and other relevant supports identified by the family.
• Provide coaching in support of decision-making in both crisis and non-crisis situations.
• Work with assigned youth and family 3-5 times weekly managing a caseload of 5-6 families.
• Participates in individual, dyad, and group supervision, weekly supervision, and regular staff meetings and training as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Driving Requirements

• Required to operate a vehicle with a valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.
• Required to have access to a personal vehicle for work.
• May be required to transport clients.

Qualifications

• Personal experience as a parent/caregiver navigating child, family, or behavioral health systems, including advocating for family members.
• Preferably knowledgeable about the communities we serve.
• Fluency in a second language (e.g. Spanish, Haitian Creole) is a plus.
• Computer literate with the ability to learn new software applications.
• Excellent written and communication skills.
• Experience with CBHI services preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care service delivery and family systems theory preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in a human services field and one (1) year working with target population preferred OR Associates degree in a human service field and one (1) year working with children/adolescents/transition age youth OR High school diploma or HiSet and a minimum of two (2) years of experience working with children/adolescents/transition age youth; and experience navigating any of the child and family-serving systems and supporting family members who are involved with the child and family serving systems.

Valuing Diversity

We are committed to excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion, while simultaneously creating a culture that supports those values. We believe the differences we bring enhance our ability to provide exceptional service and care to diverse children, families, and communities. Moreover, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging align with our values and our mission to help vulnerable children and their families build permanent, positive change.

What The Home Can Offer You

In addition to the chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of the youth we serve, The Home for Little Wanderers offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Generous time off including up to 15 days per year for new full-time employees, plus 11 holidays, and 5 sick days.
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance available.
• Extensive training to new staff.
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $3,000 per fiscal year.
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer match.
• Employer paid Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance, plus Basic Life and AD&D Insurance.
• And more!

Pay Range Positioning Summary

The pay range listed represents the company’s good faith estimate of the salary or wage range for this position at the time of posting, as required under applicable law. Actual compensation will be based on a variety of factors, including a candidate’s relevant experience, education, skills, and internal equity relative to other employees in similar roles. Candidates with less directly related experience may be placed toward the lower end of the range, while those with extensive or specialized experience may be placed toward the higher end. Market conditions and budget considerations may also influence final pay decisions.