CSA Family Partner

CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES INC•Fall River, MA

2d•$19 - $23•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Partner supports and advocates for parents and caregivers and facilitates peer support groups for caregivers. Under the supervision and direction of the Senior Family Partner, the role provides strength-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate services to families involved with the Community Service Agency (CSA). The Family Partner reports directly to the Senior Family Partner and the CSA Program Director. The position works with families in homes, communities, and other settings to help them understand CSA services and their roles in the program; connect with community resources and treatment providers; and develop skills in problem-solving, parenting, communication, and navigating systems. In collaboration with families, the Family Partner contributes to the youth’s Individual Care Planning Team and treatment plan, supports the development of a family vision, and assesses family strengths, needs, and cultural identities. Regular contact is primarily in person. Travel is required for service delivery and agency meetings, events, and trainings. The role requires an experienced adult who is the parent or caregiver of a youth with a Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), preferably with experience parenting a youth with mental health needs. Evening or weekend availability is sometimes required. The position is based in Fall River, Massachusetts, and pays $19.00–$22.50 per hour. Eligible employees may receive a $1-per-hour language differential for Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, or ASL.

Requirements

Be an experienced adult who is the parent or caregiver of a youth with a Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED); experience parenting a youth with mental health needs is preferred.
Understand systems of care.
Be able to work collaboratively with a team.
Have effective interpersonal and communication skills.
Have availability for evening and weekend hours when needed.
Have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation that meets the CFS Driver Policy.
Travel to provide services in different settings and attend agency meetings, events, and trainings.
Demonstrate cultural competency, including awareness of personal attitudes, beliefs, biases, and assumptions; knowledge of dimensions of diversity; respect for differing cultural beliefs and practices; cultural knowledge of populations served; positive attitudes toward cultural differences; and the ability to communicate and interact across cultures while contributing to an inclusive, equitable, welcoming climate.

Nice To Haves

Experience parenting a youth with mental health needs.
Proficiency in Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, or ASL may qualify for a $1-per-hour language differential.

Responsibilities

Help families understand the scope and services of the CSA and their roles and responsibilities in the program.
Engage parents and caregivers with home and community resources that address goals in a youth’s treatment plan or Individual Care Plan (ICP).
Teach parents and caregivers how to network, make connections, and secure necessary community resources and treatment providers.
Provide mentoring and education in homes and communities to strengthen problem-solving, parenting effectiveness, and communication.
Participate in the child’s Individual Care Planning Team and help develop clear goals.
Collaborate with the family to create a family vision that serves as a centerpiece for the youth’s treatment plan.
Model and teach families how to access community resources.
Maintain regular contact with guardians and youth, primarily through in-person, face-to-face contact scheduled and agreed upon with the family.
Prepare a comprehensive narrative assessment with the family that outlines its strengths, needs, and cultural identities.
Deliver strength-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate services under the supervision of a Senior Family Partner.
Promote connections with outpatient providers and assist youth and families in attending outpatient appointments.
When requested by the family and clinically appropriate, attend and support meetings concerning the youth’s behavioral health needs and treatment.
Support families in the education system by attending school meetings and participating in the development of school plans and IEPs, and assist with navigating courts, state agencies, and community organizations.
Monitor family readiness for transition and satisfaction with CSA services.
Participate in systems of care committee meetings.
Perform other duties as required.

Benefits

Medical insurance through Harvard Pilgrim/HealthPlans Inc.
Dental insurance through Unum.
Vision insurance through EyeMed.
Employee wellness program through Wellworks for You.
Accrued vacation: two weeks during the first year, three weeks after three years, four weeks after five years, and five weeks after 20 years.
12 sick days per year.
10 paid holidays per year.
Two personal days per year.
Flexible spending accounts for medical expenses and dependent care.
401(k) with employer match: 100% match on the first 1% of earnings and 50% match on 2%–6% of annual earnings.
Employer-paid life insurance.
Employer-paid long-term disability and AD&D insurance.
Optional supplemental life, AD&D, accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance for employees and eligible family members.
Tuition reimbursement up to $1,500 per calendar year.
Professional licensure reimbursement for LICSW and LMHC.
24-hour travel assistance.
Mileage reimbursement.
Discounted Healthtrax gym membership.
Employee appreciation events.
Benefits eligibility at 20 or more hours per week.