Description

POSITION TITLE: Family Support Specialist

PROGRAM: Mobile Crisis Intervention Services (MCIS)

Mobile Crisis Intervention Services (MCIS) provides home and community-based responses to children and youth experiencing a behavioral or psychiatric crisis. Mobile Crisis services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days per year and are available throughout the greater Waterbury, Danbury, and Torrington regions (42 town catchment area). All staff are required to work their assigned schedule but may be asked to shift/alter this in response to high workflow time periods.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Family Support Specialist is responsible for direct services with and community outreach to children, adolescents, and their families in Mobile Crisis Intervention Services. Specialist works primarily to support families in the implementation of their crisis plan. These services may occur in the home or community as clinically indicated. They may partner with Crisis Clinicians in crisis assessments in the home, and then collaborate with the family in accessing additional resources in their community. The Family Support Specialist will have an assigned schedule, but hours worked may vary according to client need and may include evening, night and weekend support. They may also participate in community outreach efforts to educate referrals sources to MCIS services. She/he maintains confidential records and collaborates with other professionals and team members. They will carry a cell phone during assigned periods and responds as directed by a supervisor to calls in person, via phone or telehealth.

SUPERVISION: Supervised by: Clinical Supervisor (Team Leader) or designee

Supervises: N/A

EXAMPLES OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. To provide direct supportive service with children, adolescents, and their families as a part of the MCIS team. These services take place primarily in the home of clients and may include crisis support, case management, and follow-up support as needed.

2. To assist in the development and implementation of crisis (stabilization) plans.

3. To provide required support services including but not limited to care coordination, referral, and linkage to identified services, translation, and psychosocial support.

4. To support families’ implementation of their crisis stabilization plan in their homes and communities after an MCIS evaluation.

5. To assist with the transition of 211-referred cases to agency staff for deployment and assessment.

6. To provide child/youth support in conjunction with a MCIS clinician in schools, emergency departments, or community locations, including the identification of strengths and coping skills, and the development of a safety plan.

7. To complete required documentation and referrals within agency approved timelines to ensure appropriate case coordination.

8. To participate in supervision around crisis support, case management and associated tasks.

9. To maintain a level of productivity assigned by the program management including home visits and documentation requirements as defined by corporate compliance policy.

10. To participate fully in all required training, onboarding activities and staff meetings to ensure best practice in MCIS implementation.

11. To participate in MCIS team-based crisis and emergency management at community crisis events as directed by program management.

12. To be available to cover shifts as indicated by program workflow/need in coordination with other MCIS staff and at the direction of program management.

13. To complete other tasks as directed by program management.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

Must have the ability to maintain the utmost confidentiality of both agency and client matters. Must understand and be able to display the clinical knowledge and expertise necessary to perform crisis intervention. Must be able to display knowledge and expertise as it relates to the populations served by Wellmore, including bilingual and bicultural needs. Must be capable of working as a part of a team and be able to effectively communicate with both families and professionals (in writing and verbally). Must be willing to work a flexible schedule that meets the needs of the MCIS program. Must be able to display an understanding of the diverse cultural communities prominent in greater Waterbury, Danbury and Torrington communities. Working knowledge of the greater Waterbury/Danbury/Torrington areas is preferred. Bi-lingual (Spanish-English) is preferred.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Candidates must possess a college degree (BA, BS or BSW) in a human service field (e.g., social work, child development, or psychology, etc. Candidates must have the skills necessary to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of the families to be served. Two years’ experience working with children, families or providing crisis intervention is preferred.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION

Valid driver’s license with good driving record.