Family Outreach Specialist II - LMFT

CLEAR (Community and Law Enforcement for Addiction Recovery) is a grant-funded initiative of the Federal COSSUP Program (Comprehensive Opioid and Stimulant Use Program). Liberation Programs operates the Fairfield County arm of the Statewide CLEAR Initiative, serving vulnerable adults and their families struggling with substance use and identified by law enforcement, emergency services, hospitals, and other community partners in Norwalk, Bridgeport, Greenwich, and Stamford.

Contracted by DMHAS to deliver the CLEAR Project, Liberation Programs works across jurisdictions to connect those most at risk of overdose with appropriate supports and services.

Job Purpose / Function

The Family Outreach Specialist II serves as the lead resource for family engagement, family programming, and family support services within the CLEAR Initiative. Working within a trauma-informed, harm reduction-oriented framework, the position supports family members impacted by substance use disorders, overdose, mental health concerns, incarceration, and related challenges.

In addition to providing direct support and case management services to families, the Family Outreach Specialist II plays a key role in developing, coordinating, and strengthening the overall family support program. The position assists in creating family-centered programming, educational opportunities, support groups, community partnerships, and systems designed to improve outcomes for families throughout Fairfield County.

The Family Outreach Specialist II serves as a subject matter resource regarding family engagement strategies, Invitation to Change, family systems, and family-centered care. The position works closely with Family Outreach Specialists, Outreach Specialists, the Clinical Practice Lead, Hospital Liaison/System Integration Manager, and community partners to ensure that family needs remain integrated into service planning and program development.

The Family Outreach Specialist II assists in developing and facilitating family programming at Rest Here, including support groups, educational workshops, grief support activities, family engagement events, and other opportunities designed to strengthen family resilience and community connection.

This position does not provide formal personnel supervision but may provide mentorship, guidance, and support to Family Outreach Specialists and other staff participating in family-focused programming.

The position is grant-funded and limited to the term of the award.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead coordinator for family support services within the CLEAR Initiative.
• Assist in developing and implementing a comprehensive family support program grounded in harm reduction principles, trauma-informed care, and Invitation to Change practices.
• Complete and maintain training in Invitation to Change and utilize the model when supporting families affected by substance use disorders.
• Coordinate family referrals received through law enforcement, hospitals, correctional facilities, schools, community partners, and internal CLEAR staff.
• Develop, facilitate, and evaluate family support groups, educational workshops, and family-focused programming.
• Assist in developing family programming at Rest Here, including family support meetings, educational opportunities, grief support activities, and community engagement events.
• Coordinate outreach and engagement efforts designed to increase awareness of available family services.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with schools, treatment providers, hospitals, recovery organizations, family support organizations, behavioral health providers, and community agencies.
• Support implementation of Handle With Care and other family-focused initiatives.
• Provide consultation and support to Family Outreach Specialists and other staff regarding family engagement, family systems, and family-centered care practices.
• Assist with development of educational materials, family resource guides, outreach materials, and family-focused training opportunities.
• Monitor program activity, referral trends, service utilization, and family outcomes.
• Assist with data collection, reporting requirements, grant deliverables, and documentation quality related to family programming.
• Participate in strategic planning and continuous quality improvement efforts related to family services.
• Identify service gaps and make recommendations regarding future family programming, partnerships, and resource development.
• Represent CLEAR family services at community meetings, conferences, trainings, and public education events.
• Provide direct family support, case management, care coordination, and systems navigation services as needed.
• Provide case management, grief support, and trauma-informed care to family members of individuals identified through CLEAR.
• Engage families through non-judgmental communication using motivational interviewing techniques.
• Accompany Outreach Specialists during coordinated Overdose Response Follow-Up Visits.
• Coordinate and participate in community outreach and events that provide education, recovery resources, harm reduction supplies, and overdose prevention tools.
• Partner with schools through the Handle with Care initiative to ensure trauma-informed responses are implemented for children impacted by substance use at home.
• Support families in accessing education-related services (e.g., attending IEP meetings), children’s health care, and developmental services.
• Document consistently in Cordata and maintain shared care planning across the CLEAR team.
• Assist families in navigating services including detox/treatment, housing, primary and mental health care, benefits enrollment, and legal support.
• Provide direct support such as transportation assistance, appointment coordination, and referrals to sober support, education, and employment programs.
• Maintain strong communication with the CLEAR Site Lead and Social Worker to ensure seamless service integration.
• Monitor incoming referrals via Cordata and respond promptly to new family support cases.
• Participate in training, data entry, and reporting activities as required by DPH and DMHAS.
• Maintain professional boundaries and adhere to harm reduction values and cultural humility.

Skills / Experience Required

• Minimum of three years of experience working with families impacted by substance use disorders, mental health concerns, trauma, or related behavioral health issues.
• Training in Invitation to Change preferred; willingness to complete training required.
• Experience facilitating groups, educational workshops, or community-based programming.
• Strong understanding of family systems, caregiver stress, grief, trauma, and family recovery processes.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate projects, organize events, and develop community partnerships.
• Experience with program development, service coordination, and quality improvement activities preferred.
• Strong organizational, documentation, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to mentor and support other staff while maintaining collaborative working relationships.
• Bilingual skills preferred but not required.

• Excellent communication and motivational interview skills.
• Strong knowledge of community resources and recovery-oriented systems of care.
• Cultural responsiveness, with the ability to work respectfully with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds. Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.
• Experience providing case management, system navigation, and family-centered support.
• Familiarity with recovery pathways, including medication-assisted treatment, 12-step, and non-traditional models.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation and contribute to collaborative care planning.
• Valid CT driver’s license and comfort driving outreach van.
• I am willing to attend events and assist with overdose response outreach.
• Commitment to serving families in a manner that promotes dignity, autonomy, and emotional safety.

What We Offer

• Competition Compensation
• Comprehensive Benefits
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Referral Bonuses
• 401K
• FSA
• HSA
• Employee Assistance Program