FIT Paraprofessional | Family-based Intensive Treatment (Bonus Eligible)

The Home for Little Wanderers; Massachusetts Gore (ME); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused organization in Maine is seeking a FIT paraprofessional to support youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance and their families. The role involves advocating for youth needs, providing coaching to families, and connecting them with community resources. The ideal candidate holds a degree in human services and has experience working with children. Generous benefits and a commitment to diversity and inclusion make this position impactful.

Benefits

Generous time off

Health and Dental Insurance

Tuition reimbursement

403(b) Retirement Plan

Qualifications

• Experience navigating child, family, or behavioral health systems.
• Computer literate with the ability to learn new software applications.
• Fluency in a second language is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide caregivers with tools to build advocacy and navigate resources.
• Support caregivers with advocating for the needs of their youth.
• Coach families on implementing effective strategies.

Skills

Communication skills

Advocacy

Ability to navigate child-serving systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in a human services field

High school diploma with 2 years experience

Tools

Electronic health record system

Job description

This position is bonus eligible!

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.

To learn more about the incredible impact our employees have on the lives of children and families, watch our video.

About the Role

Under the direction of the Program Director and Senior Fit Clinician, the FIT paraprofessional provides support to youth under the age of 21 with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) SUD, ASD, IDD and their families under the CBHI framework. The FIT paraprofessional uses a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strength-based approach to implement the individualized treatment plan authored by the FIT master’s level clinician. The focus is to prompt behavioral support to help improve overall emotional regulation, social skills and strength family structure.

How You Will Be Making a Difference

• 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 ORAssociates degree in a human service field and one (1) year working with children/adolescents/transition age youth ORHigh 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
• Primarily home/community-based visits with office-based tasks

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 and Dental Insurance that is effective immediately upon hire
• Extensive training to new staff
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $2,400 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!

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.