Family Support Specialist | FSS Fitchburg

 Why Work for Gandara:

Explore the career pathways in Behavioral Health, Substance Use and Recovery, Community Based Clinical services, Adolescent and Family services, Adult Residential, Maintenance and Administration! Whether that is in an entry level or leadership role, Gandara will provide the tools and resources to better enhance your career growth. The opportunities are presented with the ability to transition your skills and experience in meeting the organizations mission. There is grand landscape of opportunities that supports the community we serve, so Join the Gándara team today!

Benefits:

• Retirement Plan 403(b)
• Health, Dental, Vision, Pet and Life Insurance
• Paid vacations
• Paid holidays
• 8 discretionary days
• Mileage Reimbursement

Additional Benefits:

• Career Growth Opportunities
• Culturally Diverse population
• Clinical Licensing Support

Job Title: Bachelor Level Therapeutic Specialist

Work Location: Fitchburg, MA

*Bilingual Candidates Encouraged to Apply 

*EOE M/F/D/V

*Union/Non-Union

Job Summary:

Family Support and Stabilization (FSS) provides services to families that receives support from the Department of Children and Families, with the intent of strengthen parenting capacity, improvement of family dynamics, ensure children safety, prevent out-of-home placement and assist for a successful reunification process. FSS assists families learning and getting connected to appropriate community services, including mental health and substance use programs for all members of the family.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide quantity and quality of services to families involved with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in accordance with the specific FSS models (Crianza Familiar, Nuestra Familia, Comprehensive, Family Stabilization).
• Work with the client and/or parent/caregiver(s) to achieve the goals determined by DCF in the referral.
• Assist parents/caregivers in improving parenting skills and decreasing behaviors that adversely affect the child’s safety in the home.
• Assist in providing specific information on topics such as positive discipline and limit setting, routine development.
• Help families with different ethnic backgrounds managing the stress cause by the acculturation process. (Ex. Hispanic/Latino, Cape Verdean and Portuguese).
• Support parents in identifying and utilizing community resources, to develop natural and formal supports.
• Assist parents in gaining competence to use various organizational systems, such as public transportation, Social Security, DTA, public housing, etc.
• Transport clients in own vehicle as needed to achieve treatment goals.
• Provide additional visits and wraparound services as required by the specific Model.
• Ability to be flexible when scheduling visits with families, available to provide services evening and weekends, if needed.
• Act as a mentor for a youth, parent or caregiver, if establish by DCF and as needed.
• Work collaboratively with the clinician on safety and welfare issues in the context of community connections to resources, school advocacy, law enforcement and court related needs, as well as behavioral and medical health needs.
• Engage in ongoing collaboration with mental health providers, DCF social workers, school, law enforcement and other providers within the community.
• Participate from DCF meetings to discuss ongoing concerns, challenges and recommendations. Participate from Utilization Reviews when required, frequency may variate per case and DCF Area Office.
• Maintain a detailed record of the work done with the family, including progress notes, and collateral contact notes.
• Maintain regular communication with the DCF team (may variate from area office) by providing regular weekly updates about engagement and progress in treatment, when the required by the service model.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Possess a Bachelor’s degree in a human service field (including but not restricted to social work, psychology, etc.) from an accredited college/university; or being working towards getting a Bachelor’s Degree in related fields.
• Two years experience working with youth and families.
• Experience navigating any of the child/family-serving systems and advocating for family members who are involved with behavioral/mental health services.
• Demonstrated ability to be innovative, creative, analytical and decisive in problem solving.
• Demonstrated strong communications, administrative and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and community agencies such as school districts, DMH, DDS, DYS, Juvenile Court, etc.
• Must have a driver’s license and availability of a motor vehicle to support program needs.

The Gándara Mental Health Center provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training