Mental Health Advocate

D A Blodgett-St Johns•Grand Rapids, MI

11d

About The Position

The Mental Health Advocate works as part of a collaborative team to provide mental health psycho education and support to youth in both individual and group settings. This role serves as a key coordinator between Campus Programs and the Family Preservation Division. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Campus Programs, the Advocate develops trauma informed, individualized, and developmentally appropriate support plans that align with the goals of D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s Campus Programs division. The Advocate contributes to written reports and case documentation, maintains clear and consistent communication with all parties involved, and may represent the agency in court hearings, meetings, and other activities related to assigned youth. Additionally, the Advocate supports aftercare services for residential youth as outlined in program contracts.

Requirements

Educational requirements are Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or equivalent, Master’s preferred
Experience supporting youth who have experienced abuse or neglect and/or youth diagnosed with development, cognitive and/or intellectual disabilities
Valid driver’s license, adequate insurance with a car available
Ability to work with a variety of people both within and outside the Agency and must promote a positive image of the Agency in the community and in relationship with other agencies and their personnel
Become familiar with and follow the code of ethics for your profession and agree to abide by the related Agency standards
Possess an understanding and sensitivity to the client’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics
Openness to feedback and professional growth to learn job-related functions
Personal qualities of warmth, sensitivity, and the ability to establish meaningful rapport and maintain mutual respect with people from various cultures
Personal qualities of organizational skills, assertiveness, good judgment, conscientiousness, attention to detail and timeliness
Experience supporting LGBTQ+ youth

Responsibilities

Participate in the intake process for youth referred to Campus Programs
Provide weekly check-in’s aligning with the mental, physical, cognitive and behavioral needs of the youth supported
Develop Service Plans for assigned cases for residential youth
Create and monitor safety plans, precautions and/or behavioral/mental health plans devised for a youth
Ensure that each youth on campus is engaged with supportive family members, community supporters, friends, and/or mentors. Advocates for youth and family needs at an organizational and program level.
Collaborate with campus clinician(s) to ensure consistency in therapeutic support for youth in milieu and programming.
Maintain regular and consistent communication with the referring and/or supervising caseworker of the assigned case
Acts as a cultural bridge between youth, families and community groups from different backgrounds.
Provide regular updates on youth progress and challenges for psychiatric evaluations and medication reviews for assigned cases
Work flexible hours to meet the needs of the youth and families’ schedules
Participate, in Family Team Meetings, Court Hearings, Case Conferences, Individualized Education Plan meetings, and other youth related meetings
Complete all written reporting and correspondence in a timely, concise and professional manner
Participate in team meetings for all campus programs teams
Abide by all policies ad practices of D.A. Blodgett- St. John’s
Complete other tasks as assigned by your supervisor