Bilingual Family Support Specialist

Wheeler•Waterbury, CT

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Bilingual Family Support Specialist works in Wheeler's Foster Care program, providing direct services, case management, and coordination of care to an assigned caseload of individuals and families. The role helps clients access community supports and resources and facilitates communication and advocacy among families, DCF, schools, probation, and other involved providers. The specialist may also facilitate or co-facilitate groups. Spanish and English bilingual proficiency is required and receives an annual stipend of $2,288. The listed rate is $23.08. The position is based in Waterbury, Connecticut, and is full time. The specialist develops and implements individualized case management plans or plans of care, provides counseling and crisis support with appropriate supervision, coordinates treatment with internal and external providers, and maintains compliant client records. Services may be delivered in the office or in community locations, including homes, schools, hospitals, and other institutions. The role requires a flexible schedule, participation in rotating on-call coverage as required by the program, and may include transporting clients. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in a related field, prior experience with people affected by mental health and/or co-occurring substance use disorders, strong time management and communication skills, and a valid driver's license. Wheeler offers health and wellness benefits, retirement contributions, education reimbursement, training and development, paid time off and holidays, and an Employee Assistance Program.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling, or a related field.
Previous experience working with a client population with mental health and/or co-occurring substance use disorders.
Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English.
Effective time management skills.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Valid driver's license.
Ability to safely operate a vehicle in the community based on program needs.

Responsibilities

Develop case management plans or plans of care and provide individualized case management and care coordination for clients and families.
Provide front-line crisis support by phone, in homes, or in the community, and consult with a supervisor as needed.
Assess client and family needs and strengths, use judgment to adapt program guidelines, and determine appropriate methods of support.
Provide group, individual, and/or family counseling with appropriate supervision and coordinate treatment with providers and family supports.
Maintain counseling, care coordination, team meeting, and case management records in compliance with documentation timelines and regulatory requirements.
Apply knowledge of psychopathology, crisis theory, behavioral health concerns, and relevant intervention modalities, including skill building, safety planning, parenting skills, and high-fidelity wraparound care.
Support program operations and transport clients to appointments or service linkages when appropriate.
Deliver services in office and community settings and maintain a flexible schedule based on client needs and program requirements.
Support safety planning and crisis intervention, including rotating on-call coverage with team members when required by the program.
Participate in development and implementation of treatment plans or plans of care, transition plans, timelines, strategies, and next steps.
Identify appropriate levels of care, referral processes, and community resources; make timely, clinically appropriate referrals.
Meet direct service productivity goals and follow program standards, guidelines, outcomes, and data collection and reporting protocols.
Identify potential risks in the home and take steps to reduce them through supervision, reinforcement of safe behaviors, and trauma-informed, relational interventions.
Attend prepared for supervision, team meetings, staff meetings, and rounds; seek consultation as needed and follow supervisory direction.
Communicate positively and effectively with clients, families, and internal and external providers.
Continue developing cultural knowledge and use approaches that reflect an understanding of the groups served.
Help clients access community supports and resources and facilitate communication and advocacy among families, DCF, schools, probation, and other involved providers.
Facilitate or co-facilitate groups as applicable.