MFT Advocate

FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES, INC.•Kalamazoo, MI

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The MFT Advocate provides direct, home-based family preservation services to support child safety, family stability, and well-being, with a focus on preventing out-of-home placement. This role works in partnership with families to deliver flexible, strengths-based, and trauma-informed services. Using a 2Gen framework, the MFT Advocate engages caregivers and children together, adapts services to each family’s level of risk and need, and utilizes FAST and Motivational Interviewing to guide service delivery and engagement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in human services, education, or related field required.
A candidate may be considered with two years’ experience working with children and/or families and an associate degree and be actively working towards a bachelor’s degree in human services or education resulting in obtaining the bachelor’s degree within six months of hire.
Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance required.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with children and families experiencing multiple stressors, such as: Child welfare involvement or risk, Parenting challenges, Housing or financial instability, Behavioral health or substance use concerns, Domestic violence or family conflict
Strong understanding of trauma-informed care, youth development, and mental health/substance use disorders.
Excellent organizational, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
Lived experience with behavioral health issues is highly valued and encouraged.

Responsibilities

Deliver intensive, home- and community-based family preservation services in accordance with required face-to-face service intensity guidelines.
Engage families using strengths-based, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and Motivational Interviewing practices.
Build rapport and maintain consistent, supportive relationships that promote family engagement, motivation, and goal achievement.
Adapt services and interventions based on family voice, progress, level of risk, and changing needs.
Ensure weekly face-to-face contact with all children on the case.
Provide flexible scheduling, including evenings and weekends as needed, to meet family needs.
Provide 24/7 crisis response in accordance with program requirements.
Partner with families develop and implement individualized, whole-family service plans that address child safety and well-being, parenting capacity and family functioning, and caregiver stability.
Provide safety planning, parenting education, life-skills coaching, and resource navigation.
Support families in identifying, strengthening, and sustaining natural and community-based social supports.
Promote equity by honoring family culture, values, and lived experience in all aspects of service delivery.
Complete the Family Advocacy and Support Tool (FAST) in accordance with required training, program protocols, and MDHHS expectations.
Administer FAST at required intervals to identify strengths and needs, inform service planning, and monitor family progress.
Maintain fidelity to FAST administration, scoring, documentation, and data entry requirements.
Use FAST data to support family-centered decision-making and continuous quality improvement.
Participate in FAST-related coaching, supervision, and fidelity monitoring as required.
Collaborate closely with MDHHS referral sources, community providers, and multidisciplinary teams.
Coordinate services to reduce fragmentation and improve family access to needed supports.
Advocate for families to access services and overcome barriers to engagement.
Attend court hearings, Family Team Meetings, Team Decision Meetings, and other required meetings.
Complete Prevention Plans, case notes, and all required MDHHS documentation within mandated timelines.
Enter required documentation and service contacts into MiSACWIS and other agency systems accurately and timely.
Track service contacts, outcomes, and progress toward family goals.
Use data to support outcome measurement, reporting, and continuous quality improvement.
Comply with confidentiality, mandated reporting, ethical standards, and agency policies at all times.