Family Specialist - Part-Time

FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALIST – PART-TIME Community Services- Lowell     APPLICANTS MUST HAVE LIVED EXPERIENCE RAISING A CHILD WITH MENTAL ILLNESS. The Family Support Specialist facilitates virtual and in-person support groups and workshops to provide hope, advocacy skills, support, information and referrals for parents/caregivers of youth with mental health needs. This Family Support Specialist will serve the towns in the Essex North region of the Department of Mental Health Northeast catchment area and will be sited in Lowell.   This position has potential to be paired with a similar position in another agency program to create a full-time position.    Salary Range: $22.00 to $24.00/hour depending on experience sign-on bonus (half paid after 30 days of employment and half paid after 90 days of employment; pro-rated for part-time).   What You Will Do:    Organize and facilitate multiple weekly parent/caregiver support groups to parents/caregivers of children with mental health issues. Organize and facilitate monthly psychoeducation and self-care/activity workshops. Develop, grow, and maintain a database of contacts to whom flyers are distributed as directed Develop internal Wayside and community provider relationships to extend services to families in need Implement outreach strategies to community organizations, supporting community families and encouraging parent/caregiver attendance at support groups. Share resources with the Parent-Peer Partnership team and Wayside colleagues Provide information and resources to providers and parents through in-person exchange, phone calls, websites, articles, mailings, and e-mail. Assist parents by helping them improve their ability to advocate, develop negotiating skills to improve efficacy, and their ability to work with other professional helping systems. Attend meetings, training(s), and other events as required. Participate in regional and statewide Parent Professional Advocacy League meetings and other community meetings as required. Participate in and team with the Parent Partnership program in annual project for Children’s Mental Health Month in May. Participate in individual and group supervisions. Participate in consultation meetings, staff meetings, in-service training(s), and any other events as applicable to position. Timely and accurate documentation of contacts and activities as required.  Perform other functions as assigned by Program Director.   Competencies/Traits of Our Superstars: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies to perform the essential functions of this position: Knowledge of special education laws, legal issues, health care insurance/system and DMH programs and resources. Knowledge and experience in organizing and facilitating groups. Ability to recognize and respond to signs of trauma in caregivers. Minimum Requirements: Parenting experience with child with serious emotional disturbance who in the past or currently is receiving mental health or related services.  Must have a High School Diploma. Driving in the community is a requirement of this position; please ensure you have a valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle. We will train you in:  Motivational Interviewing; Courageous Conversations; Attachment, Regulation and Competency Model (ARC); Trauma Informed Practice, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, CPR and First Aid.  This job description is not restricted by this document. Other duties may be assigned as warranted.

Salary : $22 - $24