Family Support Partner - Family Driven Teaming

Allegheny Family Network•Pittsburgh, PA

4d•$44,000 - $44,000•Hybrid

About The Position

AFN provides family support services to parents who are raising a child with behavioral health concerns. Family Support Partners use their lived experience as parents of children with behavioral health challenges to provide on on one support to parents in the family's home or community. Family Support Partners helps families identify needs and goals, provide information and resources, promote self-advocacy, and navigate the behavioral health and other child serving systems. AFN is a family run organization; therefore, the Family Support Partner must be a “Family Member” meaning the individual must have reared or is rearing a child with mental health and/or emotional challenges.

Requirements

Direct experience raising a child with mental health or emotional challenges required.
Knowledge of the mental health system and other Allegheny County child-serving systems gained by parenting a child with mental health issues.
Must have a certification in area which benefits AFN families and/or supports staff member’s work with families
Basic computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Access, Outlook and Publisher.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong organizational skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Ability to set priorities and manage multiple job responsibilities efficiently and effectively.
Familiarity with location and access of community resources, and services for children.
Negotiation and conflict resolution abilities.
Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds in a culturally competent manner.
Completion of all applicable training resulting in certification or credentialing (training will be provided).
Earn Support Partner Endorsement within 18 months of first Family Driven Teaming training
Possession of a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license and reliable means of transportation required.
Must be able to travel locally, out-of-county, and nationally as needed.
This position requires Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Act 33/34 and Federal children’s clearances.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with families and communities on behalf of children with mental health issues is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with providers connected to family’s services and will direct support and services for families when appropriate.
Connect families to other families with similar challenges as well as community resources.
Collect and record information about family strengths and needs.
Document all services according to agency policies.
Coordinate home visits with the Supervisor as needed for review.
Complete time sheets and flex time when approved by Supervisor.
Implement the vision and direction for the program in line with the program’s mission and philosophy.
Maintain a positive professional reputation in the community and be a good ambassador for the agency.
Collaborate with supervisors, other staff members, and partners to develop and implement problem solving strategies that promote a positive work environment and positive child and family outcomes.
Meet with families in their home and/or community and provide emotional support to families raising children with mental health and emotional challenges.
Collaborate with the provider to assist the families in identifying priority needs.
Develop strategies for culturally competent services and supports and obtain resources from culturally diverse groups within the community.
Assist families in identifying and finding appropriate services, community resources, and natural supports as needed.
Collaborate with provider staff to support and provide the family with information about topics relating to their child’s needs.
Collaborate with the provider staff, other staff, and the family to ensure good outcomes.
Assist families in the education of various methods to implement in order to support the social and emotional development of their child.
Train families to advocate for themselves and the needs of their child.
Assist families in the completion of essential activities and tasks.
Connect families to other families, social activities, education events, support groups, etc.
Coordinate and help facilitate support groups if needed.
Recruit and connect families to system level opportunities; such as advisory boards, committees, etc.
Prepare families for court and assist them in obtaining the necessary resources if needed.
Represent the family perspective in appropriate meetings.
Assist other professionals to understand the family perspective.
Respond to new families within the required timeframe.
Perform other duties as assigned by CEO and Supervisors.