Fred Finch Youth & Family Services is a great place to work, and we have the hardware to prove it! Year after year, our employees make the difference in helping those with mental health issues. Whether you are just starting your career or a seasoned professional, you’ll be able to find the right spot to help others at a TOP WORKPLACE in 2023.

Avalon is a short stay residential therapeutic program and non-public school for youth ages 12 to 18 with a dual diagnosis of serious emotional disturbance and developmental disability. The youth are referred to Avalon because their behavior cannot be managed by their caretaker.

The program provides a safe, stable, and highly structured environment by combining intensive staffing, mental health interventions and behavior modification. Individual, group and family therapy is a part of everyday life. The goal of the program is to maximize a resident’s level of functioning to enable them to engage in a pattern of everyday living similar to that of non-disabled peers.

With a multidisciplinary team comprised of highly experienced staff, the rates of success of Avalon are high. After a one year to 18-month stay, 100% of youth had decreased symptoms after completing the program. More than 57% of students achieved their Individual Education Plan goals.

Join our team as: Mental Health Support Specialist

What You Will Do

The Mental Health Support Specialist is responsible for providing and documenting mental health interventions for youth in accordance with their individualized treatment plan goals and in collaboration with an experienced multidisciplinary team. The Mental Health Support Specialist builds relationships with youth in a residential and/or the safety of participants, staff, and site in accordance with Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) regulations, program philosophy, agency policy and accreditation standards. The Mental Health Support Specialist participates in supervision, team meetings, and agency trainings. 

Shifts Available 
To be determined.

Salary RangeIn accordance with California law, the expected salary range for this position is between $22.55 and $36.73 per hour. The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.

Amazing Benefits with Affordable Copays - Click here for more detail.

What You Bring to The Table (requirements):

1. B.A. Degree in a relevant field; years of education can be replaced with equivalent years of experience.
2. One year experience providing counseling or support to youth, preferably in a mental health care setting.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of the developmental stages of the population
4. Strong written communication skills.
5. Demonstrated ability to utilize de-escalation techniques that align with the trauma informed care model as part of intervention strategy for working with participants in crisis who are responding to triggers/stressors and/or demonstrating early indicators of distress.
6. Demonstrated cultural responsiveness in working with diverse families and communities.
7. Clean driving record: current CA Driver’s License required, or the ability to obtain within 10 days after
8. Basic computer and keyboarding competence with the ability to use Microsoft Office Suite and/or competency with electronic clinical documentation

Preferred

1. A.A. Degree with six or more years of work experience, OR B.A. Degree with four or more years of work experience, OR M.A. Degree with two or more years of work experience in a mental health setting.
2. A minimum of one (1) year experience with intellectually/developmentally disabled and/or emotionally disturbed youth in a residential treatment or wraparound program setting.

Our Mission: 
"Fred Finch Youth & Family Services partners with individuals and communities to provide culturally responsive services that cultivate mental and physical resilience and wellness."

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