Program Coordinator - Grief and Bereavement

Overview

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.

The Den for Grieving Kids, a program of the Center for HOPE, 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. 

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.  

The Role 

The Program Coordinator oversees all operations of The Den’s evening and school-based programming, facilitates grief and bereavement-related support groups for The Den and The Center for HOPE, and participates in Trauma Response work. This position is an in-person, full time role. 

Supervision towards licensure hours is provided, if needed. 

Specific responsibilities include:

• Facilitating Center for HOPE groups, focused on grief and bereavement, such as a General Bereavement Group, Caretakers Group, Child Loss (Adult Child) Group, Supporting the “Sandwich Generation,” etc.
• Conducting preliminary conversations with potential new Den families, explaining the program and support options available at Family Centers. 
• Conducting intakes for new families joining evening support groups.
• Coordinating the services and events pertaining to the Den’s twice-monthly evening support groups and facilitating evening Den sessions.
• Warm point of contact for Den families seeking referrals or additional services at Family Centers.
• Providing initial screening for prospective volunteers (evening and school).
• Building on existing children’s curriculum and managing the related materials and supplies (evening and school). 
• Den liaison to schools in Lower Fairfield County; working with school contacts to initiate Den groups at schools and ensuring success for the duration of the group. 
• Orchestrating quarterly trainings/support meetings for School-Den volunteers.
• Task and/or Clinical supervisor for Den MSW Interns.
• Acting as a role model for volunteers, interns, colleagues, and community partners in leading/participating in groups, modeling self-awareness, and contributing to group goals.
• Identifying programmatic issues for discussion with the Sr. Director of Behavioral Health and/or the Manager, Center of HOPE. 
• Attending agency in-service trainings and weekly case-conferences. 
• Representing the program/agency in the community, whether at networking/community events, educational presentations on bereavement, and/or by participating in Trauma Response work.

 Requirements

• Master’s level training in clinical social work, counseling, marriage and family therapy or similar fields. Active Connecticut license or the ability to obtain CT licensure (LMSW or LCSW preferred)
• SIFI Certification (can obtain after hire)
• 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

Benefits and Perks

At Family Centers, we believe in taking care of our compassionate staff who care for our community. We offer a comprehensive benefits package carefully designed to support staff health, financial wellbeing, and work-life balance. We are committed to fostering a supportive, mission-driven environment where employees feel valued, supported, and able to build lasting careers.

Full-time employees enjoy:

• Generous Paid Time Off – 15 vacation days annually (increases to 20 days after 5 years, and 25 days after 10 years), 11 paid holidays, up to 3 personal days, and up to 10 sick days
• Half-Day Summer Fridays (in select programs)
• Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage Options
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with monthly employer contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care & Dependent Care)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with up to 6% employer contribution
• Employer-Paid Long-Term Disability, Life & AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for confidential support
• Voluntary Opt-In Benefits including Critical Illness Insurance, Pet Insurance, supplemental Life Insurance, and more
• Tuition Assistance (eligible to apply after 6 months of service)
• Loan Repayment Opportunity: Fully licensed clinicians working in our FQHC and SBHC programs may qualify for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Student Loan Repayment Program, which offers up to $75,000 in student loan repayment for primary medical, dental, and behavioral health clinicians. Clinicians who demonstrate Spanish-language proficiency may qualify for an additional $5,000 award.

Family Centers has consistently been recognized as one of the Top Workplaces in Western Connecticut by Hearst Connecticut Media and holds a perfect 100 Encompass rating from Charity Navigator. 

About Family Centers

Family Centers is a private, nonprofit organization offering health, education and human service programs to children, adults and families in Fairfield County. Our team includes 300 professionals and over 500 trained volunteers who collaborate to provide our communities with a wide range of responsive and innovative services. Through our comprehensive network of services, more than 26,000 children, adults, families and communities receive the care, encouragement and resources needed to realize their potential.

For more information, please visit www.familycenters.org.

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