Family Partner | Westfield Family Resource CTR

Job Description

Job Description

Family Partner | Westfield Family Resource CTR

Westfield Ma

The Gándara Mental Health Center (GC) delivers quality bilingual behavioral health, substance use and preventative services for nearly 15,000 children, adults and families each year in 100 locations across the state of Massachusetts. Our mission is to promote the well-being of Latinos, African-Americans, and other culturally diverse populations through innovative, culturally competent services.

This position will support Gándara’s Westfield Family Resource Center, which aims to provide community-based, culturally competent programs, including evidence-based parent-education programs, youth and parent support groups, Early Childhood services, information and referral, educational support, cultural events, and other opportunities for families whose children range in age from birth to 18 years.

The Westfield Family Resource Center Family Partner (FP) is an individual who reflects the community, has “lived experience,” and/or familiarity with Child Requiring Assistance (CRA)-related issues. The FP works in conjunction with the Clinician to complete the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment to develop a Family Support Plan for family members experiencing CRA-related issues. In addition, the Family Partner is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Family Support Plan, with support from other Family Resource Center (FRC) staff. The FP may work with all family members who are involved with the FRC; however, family members experiencing CRA-related issues are prioritized for services.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with Clinician to complete the CANS Assessment and develop a Family Support Plan with family members experiencing CRA-related issues; arrange referrals, service/support planning, and follow-up;

• Develop and implement Family Support Plans with willing families based on needs identified from intake, screening, and assessment; include specific tasks and responsibilities for family members, the FRC and any other entities approved by the family members;
• In accordance with family member permission, follow-up with families within two weeks of referral to ensure families are connected with service; within 60 days, determine the family members’ satisfaction with the FRC’s Basic and Network Services using a Family Satisfaction Survey;
• Review Family Support Plan with family members at the end of six months from assessment completion; review adherence to the plan and/or identify additional necessary services and/or to adjust the plan, if desired;
• Facilitate family, youth and group counseling as well as psycho-educational groups for program participants and their families; provide consultation i.e., supporting family members who have experienced trauma, to other FRC staff;

• Collaborate and provide outreach to local community-based network of service providers including, but not limited to, any community, municipal, state, federal, non-profit, for-profit, or private sector individual/organization that provides services/opportunities for children and families on the best course of treatment for youth and their families and make referrals accordingly;

• Maintain confidential Family Support Plans; monitor participant records for completeness and compliance, including data input into Gandara’s EMR system and the UMASS system for FRC specifically; records shall be reviewed on an annual basis, or any other frequency, by DCF/ASO;
• Provide culturally sensitive and informed training/educational information, as needed, on clinical topics to family members;

• Adhere to program and agency policies/procedures ; notify Program Director immediately in the event of a crisis, suspected illegal activity, or any behavior constituting an incident in the program;
• Represent the FRC in the community and state-wide networking/educational conferences; attend FRC Meetings, agency/department meetings and trainings;
• Other duties as requested/assigned by the SFRC Program Manager and SFRC Director.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• “Lived experience” or familiarity with CRA-related issues
• Experience and demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations in a community-setting using a family-centered, strength-based approach
• Must be available for weekend and evening hours
• Must have a valid driver’s license and meet agency requirements for driving history records and criminal background checks
• Exceptional demonstrated interpersonal and writing skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications; Corel; and related office technology
• Bilingual, especially in Spanish/English, strongly preferred

LEADERSHIP, TEAM MANAGEMENT, AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Sensitivity to, and respect for, the diverse world views and different communication styles of individuals of diverse ethnic, linguistic and/or cultures which nurture and shape an organization that celebrates and promotes diversity in its workforce; highly effective and well-honed verbal and written communication and presentation skills in English; interpersonal skills necessary to persuade and guide both peers and other agency staff regarding operational matters.

AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is performed primarily in an office setting, with community outreach and home visits, as needed. Employee may lift and carry promotional items for community events, as well as for the set-up of support groups and food pantry. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits

• Retirement Plan 403(b) Employer Match
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Paid vacations
• Paid holidays
• 8 discretionary days a year
• Hiring Incentives**
• Mileage reimbursement
• Wellness incentive

ENVIRONMENT

Gándara Mental Health Center is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. The Gándara Mental Health Center is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.