Family Partner - CENTER FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT : Job Details

CHD is seeking applicants for Per Diem Family Partners to join Gateway's Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) team located in Chicopee, MA. Support is needed for Crisis, Crisis-Stabilization, and integrated Outpatient Programs.

The Family Partners is in a position to provide ongoing support to families in navigating the Community Behavioral Health Center's Crisis, Crisis-Stabilization, and Outpatient Therapy programs, and will support brief interventions that address a youth's behavior and safety. These staff members shall have lived experience as caregivers of youth with special needs, preferably youth with behavioral health needs. They will develop a helpful, confidential, and supportive relationship with clients and families, provide informal guidance, act as a sounding board, and build client's confidence and hope.

Some examples of duties can include:

• Uses their own recovery story with a goal of communicating hope
• Models self-help and self-advocacy, utilizing the principles outlined by the Peer Code of Values and Competencies
• Shares information about community resources, including other peer-run groups, housing and benefit resources, and community events
• Accompanies and facilitates participants' engagement in community activities and resources of their choice, including but not limited to connections with the Recovery Learning Community
• If needed facilitates or co-facilitates peer led groups to support participants in their Recovery, parenting skills or improving their relationship with their child/ren
• Upon the request of the individual supported, the Family Recovery and Support Specialist offers support and advocacy in treatment settings such as at IEP meetings, Care Planning meetings or other appointments
• Coordinates communication with external providers that are part of the participants system of care and support.
• Gives input regarding the development of new agency policies, as well as existing policies, to ensure a person-centered approach to providing recovery services.

Successful applicants will have the minimum qualifications:

• Lived experience with being a parent of a child with behavioral health needs
• Understand how to navigate various state agency or community program, i.e. School, DMH, and DCF
• Able to provide guidance to parents in seeking supports for themselves
• Demonstrated ability to engage and build respectful and collaborative relationships with peers, providers, and external agencies
• Experience in advocacy or peer support preferred
• High school diploma or GED required, college degree preferred.
• Ability to pass CPR, and First AID Certification.
• Valid Driver's License and reliable vehicle for work purposes.

Payrate: $20.00/hr.

Flexible per diem schedule available.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.