Mental Health Life Skills Advocate

Job Description: Life Skills Counselor

Summary: The Life Skills Counselor is responsible for developing and coordinating engaging, purposeful groups and innovative activities and services designed to help the residents who demonstrate the ability and desire to be repatriated back to the community in a less restrictive setting.

The Community Reentry Specialist reports directly to the Director of Neurorehabilitation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops and directly implements the individual life skills programming to reflect their interests, capabilities and needs, and to enhance their skills and level of independence.
• Provides individuals with opportunities to maintain/ enhance their existing skills, overall functioning and independence, and sense of belonging and community integration through various in-house and community activities including but not limited to coping techniques, substance abuse treatment, computer skills, IADL skills group, communication and behavioral groups and other support services as needed
• Conduct assessments of individuals to determine their needs, goals and individual state offerings for housing and develop individualized plans
• Maintain accurate and complete records of all program activities for each individual and share findings with interdisciplinary team
• Work closely with Rehab and Social Services along with community/state partners to provide a seamless network of support services to the individuals
• Monitor and track behavioral health and occupational health progress and adjust services and support as needed to ensure success
• Stay up to date with best practices and trends in reentry programs and services
• Work closely with outside agencies and resources to provide a robust range of support services to assist in reintegration

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree at a minimum but master’s degree preferred in human services, social work education, psychology or related field.
• Must have a valid MA driver’s license
• Minimum of 2 years of management experience in program coordination for high risk populations or related behavioral health field
• Strong knowledge of traumatic brain injury and mental health related disorders and challenges faced by individuals reentering less restrictive environments
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills
• Strong people skills, crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills
• Experience working with diverse populations
• Knowledge of community resources and ability to establish partnerships with community organizations and employers
• This position may require occasional evening and weekend work.