Family Support Specialist

Transitions Mental Health Asso•Santa Maria, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Family Support Specialist functions as a liaison with family members, caregivers and guardians of adults or children who are experiencing emotional or behavioral health challenges. Through a Trauma-Informed approach, the Family Support Specialist works in collaboration with Mental Health Services, local National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) groups, the School Districts, and multi-agency staff. This position provides support, health education, linkages to services, Triple P Parenting Education, resource information and referrals for families of adult and youth consumers with behavioral health challenges. The Family Support Specialist works with Santa Barbara County Department of Behavioral Wellness (Adult and Youth Programs) to provide an integrated service experience for family members in order to best meet their needs. The Family Support Specialist also provides education and outreach to the community regarding program services, mental illness, and agency services. The Family Support Specialist will uphold the program philosophy in all duties performed and promote recovery, wellness and resilience with families.

Requirements

Completion of a high school diploma or equivalent, including basic computer skills.
Must be Spanish Bi-lingual.
Knowledge of children’s systems of care and the emotional and behavioral needs of children and their families.
Must be available and willing to work evenings and/or occasional weekends.
Strong interpersonal skills, collaborative work style and strong oral, written, and communication skills.
Well defined organizational and time management skills.
Ability to work independently and flexibly.
Ability to handle intense situations, display good judgment and decision-making skills, and remain calm and clearheaded under pressure.
Able to work effectively with a variety of people and personality types regardless of age, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or socio-economic level.
Ability to work well within a team and maintain a professional, respectful attitude in the workplace.
Ability to be willing to work with supervisor oversight and direction.
Ability to mindfully promote equality, respect, and diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin, and all the other fascinating characteristics that make us different.
Demonstrate the ability to successfully deliver culturally responsive services.
Knowledge of the various dimensions of diversity including mental health, gender, race and ethnicity.
Ability to possess and maintain good physical and mental health.
Attendance is an essential function of this job that requires face-to-face interaction with clients and/or other employees.
Must use reasonable precaution in the performance of one’s duties and adhere to all applicable safety rules and practices while acting in such a manner as to assure at all times, maximum safety to one’s self, fellow employees, clients, and other persons contacted through TMHA business.
Must be at least 18 years of age; possess a valid CA Driver’s License, at least 2 years driving experience and DMV driving record that meets TMHA’s current vehicle insurance requirements. May be required to utilize reliable personal vehicle and auto insurance.
Must comply with a TB assessment (possibly a TB test if needed to confirm a negative tuberculosis result) and receipt of a criminal record clearance through fingerprinting.
Must be able to successfully complete First Aid and CPR training.

Nice To Haves

Parent/caregiver of a child who has received mental health services and/or adult in their life that has received mental health services preferred.

Responsibilities

Meet family members in person, by phone or Zoom to provide support, referrals and resource information. Provide follow-up to family members as needed.
Act as a resource and support advocate for family members of persons with mental illness, including the facilitation of a local family support groups in English and Spanish.
Promote, encourage and maintain trauma-informed practices in all services and activities.
Practice and promote, individually and in team meetings, the Collaborative Communication Guidelines in order to facilitate clear, empathetic and person-centered communication.
Assist families and care givers in navigating resources, support services, and educational materials relating to mental illness and positive parenting skills.
Develop knowledge of and continue development of knowledge of all available community resources in order to educate and refer family members when needed including specific services for the Latino Community, LGBTQ Community, Veterans and young adults. Identify and develop a resource library for mental health linked families.
Assist mental health linked families with referral for respite care, mentoring and advocacy.
Engage, consult and network with community partners in order to foster and strengthen collaborative partnerships. Provide and maintain brochure supplies and information in the community.
Provide outreach to families and individuals through public speaking, correspondence and literature (including mailers), conferences and involvement in “stigma busting” campaigns and local awareness activities. Education may include public presentations, conducting Family Services Trainings or Classes, health fairs, other agency trainings and community events.
Educate and empower families acting as a liaison between behavioral wellness, law enforcement, court systems and other institutions when family members need assistance or mediation.
Provide education and outreach to the community regarding TMHA Family Services, mental illness, and agency services. Education and outreach may include public presentations, health fairs, trainings, classes & community events.
Facilitate educational classes for our families and caregivers to provide strategies and build stronger and healthier relationships (Triple P Parenting Course, Family Orientation and Families, Mental Illness and the Judicial System).
Communicate program issues to the Program Manager and work as part of a collaborative team with Be Well case managers, Peer Recovery Specialist staff and T-MHA staff.
Protect the privacy and confidentiality of participants at all times.
Document contact information, meet deadlines and complete all required program paperwork as required in a timely manner.
Provide follow-up surveys and evaluations to all program participants and presentation audiences.
Meet required yearly training hours.
Attend and participate in regular meetings including Family Services Staff meetings, weekly supervision meetings and any other meetings assigned.
Be aware of and participate in reaching program level objectives in making contact and recording such contacts in the Apricot database of unduplicated contacts.
Provide Spanish bilingual / bicultural services if applicable.
Collaborate with the FSP/Santa Maria ACT, Justice Alliance staff, Be Well clinical teams, and the Be Well Mobile Crisis, Triage Teams and other community agencies when family members and loved ones of mental health consumer needs assistance.
All other duties as assigned.