Family Support Specialist: REGIONS-Site Secure Residential Treatment Program

Community Partners in Action•Hamden, CT

18d•Onsite

About The Position

Community Partners in Action (CPA) is seeking a Family Support Specialist for the REGIONS Site Secure Residential Treatment Program for Male Youth in Hamden, CT. This program provides a home-like, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive environment for up to 16 male youth to improve their social, physical, and emotional well-being. The goal is to therapeutically intervene in the cycle of offending to reduce risk factors and prevent youth from transitioning into the adult justice system. The treatment philosophy is individualized, aiming to help youth develop a positive self-image, learn coping skills, gain confidence, build positive relationships, achieve behavioral changes, and re-enter their communities better equipped to succeed. The youth served are high-risk, likely with a history of violence, and may present with complex needs and challenging treatment histories.

Requirements

High school diploma/GED or higher
At least two years’ experience directly working with system-involved families.
Understanding and knowledge of gender specific, trauma-informed, culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate issues and needs
Knowledge of behavior motivation and psychosocial interventions
Knowledge of child psychology and development
Strong emotional intelligence
Ability to interact with multi-cultural populations
Leadership, decision making, communication, interpersonal and organizational/ prioritization skills
Adaptability, flexibility and resourcefulness
Must share the belief that people can change and individuals in need deserve quality services and an opportunity to succeed.
Familiarity with relevant state and federal laws.
Must have and maintain a valid CT driver’s license and reliable transportation
Able to transport to appointments as appropriate, and to facilitate family visitation/sessions and home passes.
Candidates with lived experience are encouraged to apply.

Nice To Haves

Certified peer specialist preferred
Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

Responsibilities

At time of referral, collaborate with Reintegration Mentor and Clinician to engage the youth, family and community resources in preparation for program admission.
Support the family’s ability to participate in the treatment of their child by helping them to create a support network.
Serve as a role model, treating each family with dignity and respect while promoting hope and teaching self-advocacy.
Develop and implement family engagement and empowerment strategies that are responsive to the unique needs of each youth/family and will: Ensure families are visiting with their children, Ensure families are engaging in treatment sessions and team meetings, Ensure families are developing self-advocacy skills, Increase family satisfaction with their child’s treatment and education, and Reduce recidivism.
Participate as a member of the treatment team and help to facilitate family participation. Participate in monthly ITP and, as appropriate, weekly MDT meetings.
Share the “family perspective” with program staff and administrators, including barriers affecting the youth and family.
In partnership with the Reintegration Mentor and Clinician, solicit feedback from the families about program improvements, suggestions for further engagement and the overall experience.
In partnership with the Reintegration Mentor, assist the family and Juvenile Probation Officer with the transition to community after-care services.
Analyze and evaluate the accomplishment of program objectives.
Perform quality assurance audits to ensure compliance with applicable standards.
Comply with all funding and reporting requirements.
Establish and maintain professional boundaries with all staff, youth and providers.
Serve as a role model to youth and staff modeling pro-social behaviors.
As necessary, utilize approved verbal and/or physical de-escalation techniques to eliminate youth’s harm to self, harm to others, significant property/program destruction and escape, maintaining communication with necessary parties.
Work collaboratively with internal and external providers.
Participate in all required trainings.
Perform all other duties assigned.