Mental Health Associate

Options Counseling and Family Services•Salem, NE

2d•$21 - $30•Onsite

About The Position

Provides variable hours of "hands-on" in-community demonstration, teaching, and support to achieve behavioral changes in families where child mental health issues are present. The Mental Health Associate will assess the youths needs and co-create a behavioral plan with the assigned therapist and client. Families served include those in which children have behavioral, social, emotional and mental health issues and may be reuniting with their families after out-of-home placement, working to avoid out-of-home placement, and/or transitioning to less intensive level of care. Collaborates with other service providers and community agencies, provides oral and written reports. Ability to travel to families homes and communities required.

Requirements

Must be able to qualify as a Qualified Mental Health Associate with the Mental Health & Addictions Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO).
Pass a ODHS background check and/or fingerprinting.
Two years of knowledge in behavioral interventions, basic knowledge of parenting skills, and experience working with disadvantaged individuals and families in the provision of services.
Knowledge of dynamics of high-risk families including drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse and neglect.
Must have respectful, open, unbiased, accepting attitude toward clients and their families.
Must have a valid Oregon drivers license, reliable transportation, and auto insurance.
Positions that require driving clients must maintain vehicle insurance as required by law, with a minimum of $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 personal auto liability coverage (proof of insurance will be required).

Nice To Haves

Bachelors degree in social work, psychology, family studies or related field.
Strong understanding of available community resources and supports.

Responsibilities

Provide practical in-community services and support to clients to promote, maintain, or restore successful community living
Provide respite care services in the home or community, including recreational activities and behavioral monitoring
Identify family and individual client strengths to help resolve child and family safety and attachment concerns
Provide supervised visits to children separated from one or both parents to ease the transition from foster care or relative placement to home
Establish goals based on client living standard choices
Teach and model appropriate play, and attachment and behavior management techniques
Work with a variety of disadvantaged individuals and families in difficult circumstances
Identify clients with drug and alcohol dependence
Identify physically and sexually abused children
Empathize with and motivate clients
Recognize client needs and abilities
Learn and work within specific agency operations, policies and procedures affecting assigned work
Coordinate access and provision of services from multiple agencies, including establishing service linkages, advocating for service needs and obtaining entitlements based on mental or emotional disability
Cooperate with therapists, case managers, courts, attorneys, public school teachers, care coordinators and other professional individuals
Attend and participate in group supervision
Maintain effective working relationships with professional service staff
Prepare clear, concise written reports, including treatment plans, closing summaries, and other reports as required
Keep accurate records of client services provided
Perform assigned tasks quickly and accurately from written and oral instructions
Schedule a variety of daily tasks and handle crises independently
Communicate effectively orally and in writing to answer questions and gather and exchange information
Other duties as assigned