Description

Provide community-based services to pregnant women and infant’s aged 0-3 years in situations of high risk for impaired psychosocial and cognitive development and where the parents' capacity to nurture is constrained by problems of attachment, prior history of parent, and/or situational stressors and who meet eligibility for Home Based Services. First consideration in enrollment for services or case consultation will be given to infants in families with caregivers with significant risk factors (i.e. SPMI/ IDD history, current postpartum depression, teen moms, etc).

Recruitment will be undertaken through referrals from:

a) Hospitals where a mother/infant has been screened and found appropriate for services.

b) Local Health Department

c) Early On Project

d) Monroe Wraparound Initiative

e) DHHS Prevention Staff

f) Self referral

Services will be provided in accordance with Home Based or Prevention Direct Infant Mental Health Services expectations/ guidelines that include: assessment of consumer/family needs (with focus on family input), service provision of an outreach nature, coordination of community services and basic needs provision. Special emphasis will be on issues of parent-infant relationship and interaction, parental responsiveness, resolution of intra-psychic and family issues impeding attachment, infant stimulation, enhancement of infant development, the promotion of problem-solving skills and the development of an on-going support system. Interventions will support and nurture the parent as primary caregiver. Supervision is provided by the Program Supervisor.

Qualifications

Master's Degree in social work, psychology or related field with current State of Michigan Licensure. Must have documented training related to growth and development, basic clinical theories and treatment modalities as they relate to infant and family issues. Must have at least one year experience working with infants/ young children and families as well as experience in the examination, evaluation and treatment of minors and their families. Home-based services professional staff must meet the qualifications of a child mental health professional under Medicaid guidelines and be eligible for a Level 2 Infant Mental Health endorsement from the Michigan Association of Infant Mental Health according to current Department of Community health standards. Preference given to candidates who have one year of experience with emotionally disturbed youth/ intellectual developmental disabilities in a home based service delivery model along with crisis intervention and substance abuse treatment experience. Must be able to work well with staff from other agencies.