Family Support Specialist

Community Partners in Action • Hamden, CT

22h • Onsite

About The Position

Community Partners in Action (CPA) is hiring a Family Support Specialist for its REGIONS Secure Site Program in Hamden, Connecticut. The program is a 16-bed secure residential treatment program for adolescent males involved in the juvenile justice system. It provides a safe, structured, therapeutic, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, strengths-based, and relationship-focused environment. Youth receive evidence-based interventions and individualized treatment planning to develop coping skills, improve emotional regulation, build healthy relationships, and prepare to reintegrate into their communities. The program serves youth with significant behavioral health and criminogenic needs, including serious offending, violence, chronic justice-system involvement, and histories of trauma. Staff receive training and support to manage crises safely and sustain a therapeutic environment; exposure to communicable illnesses is possible in residential care. The program aims to reduce recidivism, promote accountability, and help youth develop skills for long-term success.

The Family Support Specialist works with youth, families, community resources, and program staff to support family engagement in treatment and prepare for admission and community after-care. The role helps families build support networks, participate in treatment and team meetings, develop self-advocacy, and provide feedback about services. The specialist also contributes the family perspective to the treatment team, supports program evaluation and quality assurance, maintains professional boundaries, collaborates with providers, and uses approved de-escalation techniques when necessary.

The position pays $29.65 per hour, or $30.13 per diem for bilingual Spanish/English candidates. CPA describes itself as a mission-driven organization focused on second chances, equity, and positive change, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive benefits, paid time off, and opportunities to make a meaningful difference. The schedule must be flexible and include evening and weekend coverage.

Requirements

• High school diploma/GED or higher.
• Lived experience and at least two years of direct experience working with system-involved families.
• Knowledge of gender-specific, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and linguistically appropriate issues and needs.
• Knowledge of behavior motivation and psychosocial interventions, and of child psychology and development.
• Strong emotional intelligence and ability to interact with multicultural populations.
• Leadership, decision-making, communication, interpersonal, organizational, prioritization, adaptability, flexibility, and resourcefulness skills.
• Belief that people can change and that individuals in need deserve quality services and an opportunity to succeed.
• Familiarity with relevant state and federal laws.
• Valid Connecticut driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to transport youth as required.
• Completion of a comprehensive 120-hour training program during the first year of employment and at least 40 hours of annual training thereafter.
• Successful completion of the required four-day Safe Crisis Management physical and verbal de-escalation training within the first month of employment.
• Candidates with lived experience must have no pending charges and must have been off probation, parole, or other judicial supervision for at least three years.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that includes evening and weekend coverage.

Nice To Haves

• Certified peer specialist.
• Bilingual Spanish/English; bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
• Lived experience; candidates with lived experience are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• At referral, collaborate with the Reintegration Mentor and Clinician to engage the youth, family, and community resources in preparation for program admission.
• Help families develop support networks and participate in their child’s treatment.
• Model dignity, respect, hope, and self-advocacy when working with families.
• Develop and implement family engagement and empowerment strategies tailored to each youth and family, supporting visits, treatment and team-meeting participation, self-advocacy, satisfaction with treatment and education, and reduced recidivism.
• Participate on the treatment team, facilitate family participation, and attend monthly ITP and, as appropriate, weekly MDT meetings.
• Share the family perspective with program staff and administrators, including barriers affecting youth and families.
• Work with the Reintegration Mentor and Clinician to obtain family feedback on program improvements, engagement, and the overall experience.
• Work with the Reintegration Mentor to assist families and Juvenile Probation Officers with transitions to community after-care services.
• Analyze and evaluate achievement of program objectives.
• Conduct quality assurance audits for compliance with applicable standards.
• Comply with funding and reporting requirements.
• Maintain professional boundaries with staff, youth, and providers.
• Model pro-social behaviors for youth and staff.
• When necessary, use approved verbal and/or physical de-escalation techniques to address risks of harm to self or others, significant property or program destruction, or escape, while maintaining communication with necessary parties.
• Collaborate with internal and external providers.
• Participate in all required trainings.
• Perform other assigned duties.
• Transport youth as required.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees working at least 25 hours per week, with eligibility after 60 days of employment.
• Eligibility to participate in the 401(k) plan after 60 days of employment.
• Employer-paid basic life, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage for employees working at least 25 hours per week.
• Generous vacation, personal, and sick leave.
• 13 paid holidays each year.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Supportive workplace focused on employee health, wellness, and meaningful work.
• Voluntary critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance, prepaid legal services, personal accident insurance, supplemental short-term disability, and whole life insurance.

What This Job Offers

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