Family Advocate - Community Based Mental Health

Job Summary

The Family Advocate plays a pivotal role within our mental health services agency and is responsible engagement across all stages of the service delivery process fostering recovery and wellness for clients seeking services through the Flexible Integrative Treatment (FIT) programs. This role supports peers to address the complex needs of clients and ensures the delivery of highquality services to families.

The position of the Family Advocate is responsible for facilitating support group meetings, providing direct care to clients, assisting with community and home-based support services, and participating in advocacy efforts. A key aspect of this role involves engaging clients and caregivers, supporting them in overcoming barriers to wellness goals, and ensuring their voices are heard and respected. The Family Advocate is a professional with lived experience as a caregiver for individuals facing behavioral or emotional challenges, necessitating involvement in various systems of care including Child Protective Services (CPS), Special Education, Juvenile Justice, and/or therapeutic services.

Working in under the direction of the Associate Director of Collaborative Services, the Family Advocate will adopt a continuous improvement strategy to ensure excellence in all aspects of service delivery. Leading by example, this role embodies HeartLand’s core ethos of "Doing Whatever It Takes" for each other and those we serve.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Advocates are professionals with personal lived experience of recovery from mental health challenges or experience as a caregiver of a child with behavioral and/or emotional challenges. Please note that professional experience in the field of mental health is not considered lived experience as a consumer of mental health services. * Familiarity with various systems of care including Child Protective Services (CPS), Special Education, Juvenile Justice, and/or therapeutic services.

• Minimum of 2 years of work experience in the field of community mental health and advocacy.

• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing including the ability to convey ideas and information in a clear and engaging manner.

• Strong interpersonal skills, including verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening, and the ability to convey messages effectively and empathetically.

• Ability to work effectively in a team, fostering collaboration and respecting diverse perspectives.

• Ability to lead and mentor other advocates, with direction and support from the Associate Director of Advocacy & Outreach while simultaneously providing care for and managing a modified caseload of clients and families with service needs.

• Demonstrated history of having a high level of integrity, business and moral ethics, and responsibility. * Ability to maintain professionalism in difficult or escalated situations.

• Ability to be highly adaptable and flexible in various social engagements and environments, with a keen awareness of social cues and various cultural norms.

• Proficiency in using logic and reasoning to solve problems and decision making.

• Experience in handling sensitive information with confidentiality and tact.

• Cultural sensitivity and an ability to build trust with a diverse client base.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.

• Commitment to personal and professional development. This position requires you to receive specialized training and supervision to guide and support others who are experiencing mental health, substance abuse use, and/or trauma.

• Strong organizational skills, ability to multitask and balance multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

• Familiarity with office equipment and software, including email and electronic health records (EHR) applications, specifically SmartCare.

• Accuracy in handling documents and records.

• Strong analytical reading skills with the ability to interpret and synthesize information efficiently.

• Skilled in resource allocation, timeline management, and coordinating team efforts.

Typical Duties:

• Mentor advocacy team in addressing the needs of clients and families through regular check-ins with the team.

• Facilitate clinical support group meetings with the Advocacy Team.

• Model ethical client and family-lead services that promote holistic wellness for those served.

• Problem solves and supports the Advocacy Team in addressing crisis or other safety concerns.

• Shares information with the Advocacy Team regarding available community resources and how best to support others in navigating systems of care.

• Initiates contact with clients, listening attentively to both the content and emotional undertones of their communications. Celebrates client efforts, milestones, and encourage client participation in community roles.

• Cultivates trust by leveraging a unique capacity to connect with and understand the personal experiences of the youth served as well as their families.

• Enlightens the path to recovery and available services, offers educational resources, exchanges valuable lived experiences, fosters a sense of community, acts as a guiding mentor, elevates self-worth, and enhances opportunities for social engagement.

• Validate clients' experiences and feelings and convey hope and positivity about their recovery and self-care. Assist in setting goals, exploring future possibilities, and developing strategies to achieve these goals.

• Develop a thorough knowledge of community resources and assist clients in selecting and utilizing various resources. Accompany clients to community activities and appointments as needed.

• Educate clients on health, wellness, recovery, and self-care.

• Coach clients on accessing treatment, navigating systems of care, and developing desired skills and strategies.

• Recognize signs of distress or safety threats, provide reassurance, and take action to address crises using knowledge of local resources and client preferences.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues, healthcare providers, and community organizations to enhance service provision. Engage clients' families and other natural supports in the recovery process.

• Maintain an awareness of relevant rights and laws (e.g., ADA, FAPE under section 504, HIPAA) to ensure the protection of client and parental rights.

• Other duties as assigned.

Education/Certificates:

High School Diploma/GED

• Certification as a Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist in the state of CA is preferred.

Screening Requirements and Employment Conditions:

• Valid California Driver’s License

• Must successfully complete Tuberculosis (TB) testing to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations with clinic partners.

• Applicants are required to successfully complete a Live Scan background check as a condition of employment. This involves fingerprinting for the purpose of accessing criminal history records from the California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our clients. The Live Scan process must be completed, and results returned as clear before any employment offer is finalized.

• Must be able to provide proof of the highest level of education and transcripts with a minimum of high school equivalency.

Physical Requirements:

• Sitting

• Standing and walking

• Keyboarding requires manual dexterity.

• Viewing computer monitor requiring close vision

• Using a telephone; talking and listening

• May bend or stoop to retrieve file folders occasionally.

• Occasionally, may lift, bend, kneel, twist, or move objects.

• Travel is required to provide services in the community and to perform duties throughout Sacramento.

Work Environment: This position consists of work done in the office, via teleconference, by phone, and in the community with staff and families in the school, home, and other locations in Sacramento. Travel in one’s own vehicle is required. Interaction with both the public and internal team members is frequent. The role requires the use of standard office equipment, encompassing computers, software applications, phones, printers, and other related technology. The environment is structured for collaborative and client-facing work, offering a blend of internal coordination and external engagement.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $27.40 - $28.84 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Please submit, along with your application, an attached COVER LETTER including the following information:

How does your personal lived experience as a consumer or caregiver of someone participating in mental health services provide you with valuable perspective that might better promote recovery and wellness for the population served at HeartLand Child & Family Services?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $27 - $29