Job Title: Family Engagement Specialist

** Note: The Salary range varies and will be determined during the offer process based on education, licensure, and skills (e.g., bachelor’s, master’s, unlicensed, independent license, bilingual language capacity.

Program/Department: Family Engagement Program

Position Type: Exempt, Full-Time 40 hours/ week – Hybrid Position (remote and on-site)

Location: Pittsfield/ Berkshire County

Reports to: Director of Family Engagement Program; Western Region

About IHR: The Institute for Health and Recovery (IHR) is a statewide service, research, policy, program development and capacity building agency. IHR designs its services based on an understanding of the impact of trauma. IHR’s CARF accredited treatment programs provide holistic interventions for hard to reach and high-risk individuals and families. IHR’s mission, since our founding in 1990, has been to develop and support a comprehensive continuum of care for families, individuals, youth, and pregnant and parenting people affected by alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, violence/trauma, mental health challenges and other health issues, while advancing principles of health equity and social justice. Our work is focused on addressing and eradicating inequities in our health care, economic, and justice systems, especially as they disproportionately affect women and people of color. We are committed to providing services and creating communities that mitigate the effects of substance use, mental illness, and trauma. 

Summary Statement: The Family Engagement Specialist for Family Engagement Program will support IHR’s mission to develop a comprehensive continuum of care for women, adolescents, and their families who are affected by alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use, mental health problems, and violence/trauma.

Essential Functions:

• Provide a hybrid of community and home-based comprehensive substance use disorder treatment and case management services to individual clients, families, and youth, specifically parents who are involved with the Department of Children and Families in Pittsfield-Berkshire, MA and surrounding areas.
  • Use a strength-based, trauma-informed and family-centered approach to support families, including parents, children, caregivers, youth who are involved with the Department of Children and Families.
  • Conduct comprehensive bio-psycho-social assessments and individualized treatment plans related to substance use/mental health, trauma, relapse prevention, recovery support and treatment retention.
  • Utilize comprehensive assessment and individual treatment plans to provide clinical treatment to clients in person in their home.
  • Assist families to identify and access community treatment, support, and other resources.
  • Work closely in collaboration with DCF professionals and other collaterals involved with the family.
  • Collaborate with Peer Recovery Specialists around supporting parents with the Substance Use recovery
  • Attend DCF Area Office and Family Network meetings as appropriate. 
  • Maintain all written reports and records (including electronic health records) accurately and in timely manner.
  • Meet regularly with Supervisor for clinical and administrative supervision.
  • Use cloud-based systems for communication with IHR’s site office, including shared calendars, timesheets, and supervisor check-ins. 
  • Attend team and agency staff meetings

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Advanced degree in Social Work or related field; Clinical license or license eligibility preferred.
• Bi-lingual/bi-cultural (Spanish/English) candidates encouraged to apply.
• Experience providing direct services, conducting bio-psycho-social assessments, and creating individualized treatment plans.
• Knowledge and experience with delivering evidence-based interventions treatment models.
• Experience providing home-based services, community outreach and case management.
• Experience working with individuals and families who have been impacted by substance use disorders, additional experience related to those involved with DCF is a plus. 
• Familiar with community-based resources especially in Pittsfield-Berkshire, MA and surrounding areas.
• Strong administrative/organizational skills, particularly with maintaining Electronic Health Records.

Other Requirements: (If Applicable)

• Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and regular access to a reliable vehicle. 
• Business Class Rider on Motor Vehicle Insurance if transporting clients.

(Reimbursable; required within one month of start of job).

Competencies:

• Clear and effective communication 
• Strong organizational skills 
• Ability to work effectively in teams 
• Self-motivated and independent 
• Problem-solving skills 
• Adaptability and flexibility 
• Commitment to ongoing development and learning 
• Dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice

Physical Requirements: The physical demands of this position include talking, hearing, sitting, standing, walking, lifting, and using hands for activities such as grasping, handling, and reaching. These physical and mental demands are essential for the successful execution of job responsibilities. Reasonable accommodation will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities. 

IHR seeks to create welcoming, inclusive and accessible environments for our staff and the people we serve. We welcome and celebrate the diverse social identities of our staff. We recognize the importance of having staff who reflect the identities of the diverse communities that we serve, and we make efforts to hire from within these communities. We are proud to offer an inclusive, recovery friendly, and supportive work environment, and we welcome, and value lived experience of recovery.