Family Partner

The Home for Little Wanderers • Somerville, MA

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of Program Director and Senior Family Partner and in collaboration with the Intensive Care Coordinator(s); works to assist in the improvement of the parent(s)/caregiver(s) ability to effectively navigate child-serving systems. This role involves working one-on-one with parents/caregivers to provide guidance, coaching, education, and support throughout the care planning process. The Family Partner participates as a member of the Care Planning Team (CPT) and clearly outlines the goals of the Family Support and Training Services. They work closely with families in the home and in the community, and any existing/referring behavioral health provider(s), to implement the objectives and goals identified in the Individual Care Plan. This role requires conducting weekly face-to-face home or community visits and providing regular, on-going telephone support to caregiver/parent. The Family Partner teaches parents/caregivers how to promote linkages with other treatment providers and other community resources and work with the Intensive Care Coordinator. They also educate parents/caregivers about how to effectively navigate the child-serving systems and about the existence of informal/community resources available, and facilitate access to these resources. Additionally, the role involves attending staff meetings, presenting client/family material, consulting with supervisor and team members on challenging and difficult client/family issues, and participating in regular individual and group supervision. Attending clinical training and safety practice training is also required. The Family Partner is responsible for completing daily progress notes, documenting significant family interactions and collateral work in a timely manner, as per MassHealth requirements. Participation in program activities, including staff and team meetings, training and development needs of the program, and primary on-call rotation is expected. Employees are required to complete all The Home’s training requirements in addition to State dedicated training. The role also includes entering billing according to program requirements and maintaining a caseload dictated by the program, which is variable.

Requirements

• Experience as a caregiver/parent of a child or youth with special needs and preferably with significant mental health needs.
• High school diploma or GED and a minimum of two (2) years’ experience working with children/adolescents/transition age youth OR Associate’s degree in human service field and one year experience working with children/adolescents/transition age youth OR Bachelor’s degree in a human services field from an accredited university and one (1) year of experience working with children/adolescents/transition age youth.
• Valid driver’s license and a “satisfactory” driving record.
• Access to a personal vehicle for use during work hours.
• Maintain the minimum amounts of liability insurance as required by The Home and/or other regulatory requirements.
• Vehicle registration must be current.
• Computer literate including Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer with the ability to learn new software applications.

Nice To Haves

• Preferably knowledgeable about the home community(ies) of the families to be served.
• Fluency in a second language such as Spanish, Portugese, or Haitian Creole is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the improvement of the parent(s)/caregiver(s) ability to effectively navigate child-serving systems.
• Provide guidance, coaching, education, and support to parents/caregivers throughout the care planning process.
• Participate as a member of the Care Planning Team (CPT) and clearly outline the goals of the Family Support and Training Services.
• Work closely with families in the home and in the community, and any existing/referring behavioral health provider(s), to implement the objectives and goals identified in the Individual Care Plan.
• Conduct weekly face-to-face home or community visits and provide regular, on-going telephone support to caregiver/parent.
• Teach parents/caregiver how to promote linkages with other treatment providers and other community resources and work with the Intensive Care Coordinator.
• Educate parents/caregivers about how to effectively navigate the child-serving systems and about the existence of informal/community resources available; and facilitate access to these resources.
• Attend staff meetings.
• Present client/family material; consult with supervisor and team members on challenging and difficult client/family issues.
• Participate in regular individual and group supervision.
• Attend clinical training and safety practice training.
• Complete daily progress notes, document significant family interactions and collateral work on a timely manner, as per MassHealth requirements.
• Participate in program activities, including but not limited to, staff and team meetings, training and development needs of the program, and primary on-call rotation.
• Complete all The Home’s training requirements in addition to State dedicated training.
• Enter billing according to program requirements and maintain caseload dictated by the program, which is variable.
• Operate a vehicle.
• Use personal vehicle to transport clients on occasion if/when needed.

Benefits

• Generous time off including up to 15 days per year for new full-time employees, plus 11 holidays, and 5 sick days
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance available
• Extensive training to new staff
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $3,000 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED