Cultural Broker

Jewish Family Service•Buffalo, NY

1h•$22 - $28•Hybrid

About The Position

Trauma Systems Therapy for Refugee Youth (TST-R) is both a treatment and organizational model that responds to the complex needs of refugee youth following traumatic events and resettlement. This new program at JFS works with local partners and communities to remove barriers to mental health treatment. Program components include individual and group counseling, community outreach, and care coordination. The Cultural Broker will receive formal training in service delivery within the Trauma Systems Therapy for Refugees model. This model provides a framework and strategies to work with families to negotiate cultural differences, collaborate with therapists and teachers, and to reduce the stress associated with resettlement and traumatic experiences. The Cultural Broker works with the Trauma Systems Therapy for Refugees Manager (TST-R Manager) to provide community outreach and client services within the TST-R framework. The Cultural Broker will work directly with enrolled youth and their families to support successful outcomes. He or she will work with other members of the JFS staff in the delivery of culturally responsive services and will serve as a liaison between communities, families, youth, and services providers.

Requirements

Experience working with refugee youth and families impacted by trauma
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent professional experience
Fluent in targeted Refugee Language (Arabic) and in-depth knowledge of the culture of one of these linguistic groups
Proficient in Microsoft Word and Outlook
Must possess strong written and verbal communication skills
Able to travel outside the office to various sites to attend meetings, visit families in their homes, or schools.
Ability to perform duties with a minimum of supervision and manage time effectively
Ability to work flexible hours in order to meet the demands of the job.
Maintains confidentiality.

Nice To Haves

Communication Intelligence - Listens to others, able to communicate issues clearly and credibly with widely varied audiences; fosters open communication and manages emotion in positive ways.
Client Focus - Understands and meets customer needs, whether internal or external, providing a high level of service and cooperation courteousness & sensitivity.
Independence – Able to prioritize and effectively manage work with good results with limited supervision.
Teamwork and Collaboration– Able to work as a member of team of staff from different departments
Planning & Organization – Develops, implements, evaluates and adjusts plans to reach goals while ensuring the optimal use of resources.
Detail orientation - Achieves thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing a task through concern form all the areas involved or impacted.
Problem Solving – Identifies problems and the solutions to them.
Initiative & Adaptability – Deals with situations and issues proactively and persistently, seizing opportunities along with a personal willingness and ability to respond to changes. Able to adjust thinking and employ strategies from diverse perspectives.
Must possess a complete commitment to, and understanding of, Jewish Family Service’s Mission & Vision.
Cultural Responsiveness – Ensure staff and programming treat each individual with respect - we honor staff and clients and meet them where they are with regard for their unique wants and needs. (Anava)
Partnership – Ensure staff and programs develop and maintain partnerships to support health and well-being and recognize its role in helping individuals and families achieve meaningful and lasting change. (Chevrutah)
Trust - Work with integrity and be accountable and responsive to others to build a foundation of trust. (Eimun)
Person Centered Care – Believe in and show through daily practice the dignity and inherent worth of every individual at every stage of life and work to address their needs as a whole person. (B’Tselem Elohim).

Responsibilities

Coordinates and provides family support services including intake, assessment, and planning. The Cultural Broker will work with the family and JFS clinical staff to create a plan that supports behavioral health goals.
Assists in linking clients with all services identified as integral to successful outcomes including, but not limited to, Department of Social Services, health care, education, and employment.
Conducts community outreach including, but not limited to, organizing community events and providing education about TST-R programming and mental health to prospective participants.
Helps parents and caregivers identify how they may best support the mental health and well-being of their children. This may include understanding mental health diagnosis and treatment plans.
Facilitates direct communication between program participants and service providers. This may include interpretation and translation.
Attends TST-R team meetings and consults with TST-R team members to support the delivery of culturally responsive services.
Shares cultural knowledge and perspective to improve the effectiveness of services provided by JFS staff and partners.