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

Job Title: School Liaison

Work Location: Westfield, MA

*Bilingual Candidates Encouraged to Apply 

*EOE M/F/D/V

*Union/Non-Union

Job Summary:

The Westfield Family Resource Center School Liaison (SL) works closely with local school districts to help family members navigate through educational and school-related concerns and needs, as well as works with school districts to identify family members in need of support services. The SL shall serve as a resource to families, schools, and the community in improving overall student attendance and graduation rates; reducing truancy rates; identifying systemic issues, barriers, trends, and needs; networking and disseminating information; designing solutions; and, expanding system capacity.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with local school districts to assist family members in navigating educational and school-related concerns and needs;
• Identify family members, through the support of local school districts, that may be in need of family support services;
• Improve student outcomes and reduce barriers to success by providing resources to families, schools and the community;
• Ensure that all family members experiencing CRA-related issues are connected to services that meet their individual needs and shall ensure that there is a process established to provide information, referral, and direct assistance where possible for individual family members; support services may include meetings with teachers, assistance with obtaining an Individual Education Plan (IEP), and meetings with other school personnel, as necessary;
• Negotiate and implement special events and other interagency activities that involve local schools;
• Ensure culturally sensitive and informed training/educational information is provided to all family members, as needed;
• Adhere to program and agency policies/procedures; notify Program Manager immediately in the event of a crisis, suspected illegal activity, or any behavior constituting an incident in the program;
• Represent the FRC in the community and state-wide networking/educational conferences; attend FRC Meetings, agency/department meetings and trainings;
• Other duties as requested and assigned by the FRC Program Director/Manager.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required
• Experience and demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations in a community-setting using a family-centered, strength-based approach
• Must have a valid driver’s license and meet agency requirements for driving history records and criminal background checks
• Must be available for weekend and evening hours
• Ability to structure and organize job responsibilities independently
• Exceptional demonstrated interpersonal and writing skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications; Corel; and related office technology
• Bilingual in Spanish/English, preferred

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