Program Coordinator - Grief and Bereavement

Overview:

The Program Coordinator of The Den for Grieving Kids oversees all operations of The Den—Evening and School-Based Programming—and will facilitate grief and bereavement-related support groups for The Den and The Center for HOPE.

The Den for Grieving Kids provides a safe, caring place for children, teens and families to explore their feelings about the loss of a parent, sibling or other family member and begin the journey toward healing. Children and their families participate in free groups led by professionals and trained volunteer facilitators.  The Den also offers support groups at area elementary, middle and high schools. 

The Center for HOPE, located in Darien, is one of the area's most respected and trusted resources for bereavement and critical illness support, providing comprehensive services for adults and children living with an illness, grieving a loss, or coping with a life-altering circumstance. Services include individual, group and family counseling, support groups and community education programs.

Trauma Response Our team of trauma response specialists provides on-site counseling and crisis debriefing services to schools, organizations, or businesses to assist with traumatic or crisis situations, for example, suicide, homicide, employee or student deaths/accidents or workplace violence or terrorism.  

Supervision:

Weekly supervision provided by the Den Manager (LCSW). Weekly case-conference, alongside Behavioral Health clinicians, will include clinical and programmatic education and group supervision provided by Sr. Director and/or Manager of Behavioral Health.

This position is in-person full time and based out Family Centers Center for Hope/Darien location. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Center for HOPE:

Evening Den:

• Conducts preliminary conversations with potential new Den families, explaining the program and support options available at Family Centers. 
• Conducts intakes for new families joining evening support groups.
• Coordinates the services and events pertaining to the Den’s twice-monthly evening support groups and facilitates evening Den sessions.
• Warm point of contact for Den families seeking referrals or additional services at Family Centers.
• Provides initial screening for prospective volunteers (evening and school).
• Builds on existing children’s curriculum and manages the related materials and supplies (evening and school). 

School Den:

• Den liaison to schools in Lower Fairfield County; works with school contacts to initiate Den groups at schools and ensure success for the duration of the group. 
• Orchestrates quarterly trainings/support meetings for School-Den volunteers.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Task and/or Clinical supervisor for Den MSW Interns.
• Acts as a role model for volunteers, interns, colleagues, and community partners in leading/participating in groups, modeling self-awareness, and contributing to group goals.
• Identifies programmatic issues for discussion with the Sr. Director of Behavioral Health and/or the Den Manager. 
• Attends agency in-service trainings and weekly case-conferences. 
• Represents the program/agency in the community, whether at networking/community events, educational presentations on bereavement, and/or by participating in Trauma Response work.

Performance Requirements:

• Ability to adhere to Family Centers’ seven Standards of Excellence.
• Ability to communicate effectively with strong verbal and written skills; basic computer skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, relate well to facilitators and colleagues, and maintain appropriate relationships with student interns.
• Ability to seek support of supervisor to process emotions and seek self-care as needed.
• Ability to show leadership capacity and work as part of a team.
• Complete annual training on child abuse and neglect reporting protocols.
• Flexibility with scheduling, days/evenings, based on program and client need.
• Ability to travel to several sites throughout lower Fairfield County.

Qualifications:

• Education:  Master’s level training in clinical social work, counseling and/or marriage and family therapy or similar fields. LMSW or LCSW preferred. 
• SIFI Certification (can obtain after hire).

About Family Centers:

Family Centers is a private, nonprofit organization offering health, education and human service program to children, adults and families in Fairfield County. More than 250 professionals and 1,200 trained volunteers collaborate to provide our communities with a wide range of responsive and innovative services. Through our comprehensive network of services, more than 22,000 children, adults, families and communities receive the care, encouragement and resources needed to realize their potential. 

Rewards:

Salary commensurate with experience. A suite of benefits including generous paid time off, medical, dental, vision, tax-free spending accounts, disability, life and AD&D insurance. Additional benefits include an employee assistance plan, pet insurance, critical accident and illness, wellness services, tuition reimbursement, and retirement savings.  The opportunity to work for an employer consistently rated one of the Top Workplaces in Western Connecticut by Hearst Connecticut Media and a perfect 100 Encompass rating by Charity Navigator 10. 

For more information and to apply, please visit http://www.familycenters.org/  or on our LinkedIn page

Family Centers is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees as indicated in applicable federal and/or state laws.