Reintegration Mentor

Community Partners in Action • Hamden, CT

1d • $28 - $28 • Onsite

About The Position

The Reintegration Mentor works in the REGIONS Site Secure Residential Treatment Program, a secure residential program for up to 16 male youth. The program provides a home-like, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, gender-specific, linguistically appropriate, strengths-based, and relationship-driven environment intended to improve youth’s social, physical, and emotional well-being. Its treatment approach is individualized and aims to help youth develop a positive self-image, effective coping skills, confidence, positive relationships, and behavioral changes that support successful community reentry.

The role supports youth and families before admission, throughout treatment, and during transition to community after-care. The Reintegration Mentor collaborates with clinicians, families, juvenile probation, community resources, and other providers; reinforces individual treatment plans; and helps develop lasting community connections, including vocational opportunities. The program serves youth who may have complex needs and histories of violence, and the role may involve crisis response, exposure to assaultive or abusive behavior, and risk of injury or communicable disease.

The position is based in Hamden, Connecticut, and is scheduled Tuesday 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. and Wednesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Flexible availability for on-call hours and evening and weekend coverage is required. Selected candidates must complete a 120-hour training curriculum during their first year and at least 40 hours of training annually thereafter. Training includes crisis de-escalation and physical restraint methods.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, psychology, criminal justice, or a related field; equivalent experience and training may be considered in lieu of education.
• Lived experience is encouraged; the ideal candidate has lived experience.
• Experience working with youth, residential treatment programs, mental health crisis intervention, and family engagement.
• Understanding of gender-specific, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and linguistically appropriate issues and needs.
• Knowledge of behavior motivation, psychosocial interventions, child psychology, and child 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 and reliable transportation; ability to transport youth to appointments for community reintegration and to facilitate family visits, sessions, and home passes.
• Flexible schedule, including on-call hours and evening and weekend coverage.
• Ability to complete and pass a mandatory 120-hour training curriculum during the first year of employment and complete at least 40 hours of training annually thereafter.
• Ability to participate in Safe Crisis Management training involving verbal de-escalation and physical restraint methods.
• Ability to work in an environment where exposure to assaultive or abusive behavior, potential injury, and communicable diseases is possible.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of the juvenile justice system.
• Bilingual English/Spanish ability; bilingual candidates are preferred. The posting also strongly encourages bilingual male applicants.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Clinician at referral to engage youth, family, and community resources in preparation for program admission.
• Facilitate youth and family team meetings with the Clinician.
• Work with family members and other identified supportive individuals to help them develop a support system.
• Reinforce the youth’s individual treatment plan.
• Assist the family and Juvenile Probation Officer with transition to community after-care services.
• Serve as a role model and provide continued support to youth and family after program completion.
• Establish meaningful, supportive, long-term community connections, including vocational opportunities and training.
• Analyze and evaluate the accomplishment of program objectives.
• Conduct quality assurance audits to ensure compliance with applicable standards.
• Comply with funding and reporting requirements.
• Establish and maintain professional boundaries with staff, youth, and providers.
• Model pro-social behaviors for youth and staff.
• As necessary, use approved verbal and/or physical de-escalation techniques to address risk of harm to self or others, significant property or program destruction, and escape, while maintaining communication with necessary parties.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external providers.
• Participate in all required training.
• Maintain regular, reliable attendance and punctuality.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time