Family Connector (Mental Health Services)

The ACCS Family Connector promotes the full integration and functioning of Persons Served (PS) needed to live successfully in the community. Provides outreach, information, referral and direct support services to families and other community members who identify as supporters of the PS. Orients and serves as the primary liaison to PS families and members of their social network. Enhances PS social supports, works to involve family/friends in PS life and Treatment Plan interventions as appropriate, and creates and sustains the Team’s Family Advisory Council. Sign On Bonus $2,000 Responsibilities Creates a welcoming environment for parents, families, and other community members who identify as supporters in which families and supporters are respected and valued; orients them to the services their loved one may receive from ACCS; shares personal experiences and engages their participation in helping the PS to meet their ACCS goals; functions as primary liaison for PS families (following HIPAA authorization by PS). Provides outreach to and collects current and historical family/supporter information with a focus on understanding the PS family/supporter relationships and their impact on the PS. Provides family psycho‑education to families, supporters, and guardians, and refers families/supporters to community resources for family support and education when appropriate, including NAMI Family‑to‑Family groups. Collaborates with PS and their family members/supporters to determine how they can best support the desired level of family participation in the PS treatment, addressing various engagement scenarios. Trains and mentors staff in maintaining a family/supporter perspective in their work. Participates as a member of the intervention team for assigned PS; delivers interventions identified on the Treatment Plan, targeting skill building in life domains such as activities of daily living, medication administration, symptom reduction, health and wellbeing, employment, education, socialization, and recreation under the supervision of clinically licensed team members. Employs trauma‑informed, recovery‑oriented, person‑centered, culturally competent, and strengths‑based approaches and skilled training techniques in their work. Provides competency‑based clinical evidence‑based practices and best practices to team members, including Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction and Addiction Treatment, Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT), Housing First, Stages of Change, Seeking Safety, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), Cognitive Behavioral interventions, and the development of Safety Plans, Crisis Prevention and Response Plans, and 8 Dimensions of Wellness. Performs evidence‑based clinical and recovery‑oriented interventions for PS, such as Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction and Addiction Treatment, Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT), Housing First, Stages of Change, Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP), Seeking Safety, and Cognitive Behavioral interventions. Promotes healthcare, employment, and education service access for PS. Promotes engagement, housing permanency, community tenure, greater self‑sufficiency, and successful completion of service for all PS. Provides thorough and thoughtful documentation of PS needs and services. Creates and sustains the ACCS Family Advisory Council if families/supporter interest is expressed. Participates as a member of the Family Connector Community of Practice Workgroup for continuous role‑specific competency development, mentoring, and learning. Performs other related duties, as assigned. Knowledge and Skills Strong commitment to the right and ability of people served by ACCS to live, work, have meaningful relationships, and receive the clinical treatment, resources and supports needed to thrive in their community of choice. Skill in helping people integrate into the community through use of natural supports and basic community resources. Knowledge of PS engagement strategies. Knowledge of community inclusion principles and practices, benefits, and entitlement resources. Ability to form supportive, trusting relationships with PS. Sensitivity to the cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender issues of PS. Knowledge of human, legal, and civil rights of PS. Knowledge of the effects of prejudice, discrimination, and oppression of people with psychiatric conditions, and of poverty. Knowledge of different communication and learning styles. Ability to make independent judgments and decisions. Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity. Knowledge of assessment skills and practice. Knowledge of recovery‑oriented, person‑centered, and strengths‑based values and principles. Knowledge of trauma‑informed and culturally competent services. Ability to adhere to the standards of Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, SBIRT, Housing First, Stages of Change, and Cognitive Behavioral interventions. Skills and competence to provide interventions for effective Treatment Plan interventions. Ability to collaborate effectively with other team members to address the needs of PS in the Treatment Plan. Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment. Knowledge of documentation standards and requirements. About Vinfen Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit health and human services organization and a leading provider of community‑based services to individuals with mental‑health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote recovery, resilience, habilitation, and self‑determination of the people we serve. Vinfen’s 3,200 dedicated employees are experienced, highly‑trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in 318 programs throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit Equal Opportunity Statement Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status. Qualifications Typical Requirements: Must have access to an operational and insured vehicle and be willing to use it to transport PS. Preference given to bilingual/bicultural applicants and applicants with lived experience of psychiatric conditions. Must Meet Family Partner Qualifications Personal, first‑hand experience having primary responsibility for, or substantial involvement with, a family member receiving services through the mental‑health system, including experiences such as psychiatric inpatient hospitalization, outpatient services/therapy, medication use, and/or participation in community mental‑health groups. A formal diagnosis of that family member is not required, but involvement must be significant enough to relate to the experiences of the family members of those served. Experience navigating any child or adult family‑serving systems and teaching family members involved with those systems. Bachelor’s degree in a human‑services field from an accredited school and one year of experience with children/adolescents/TAY (or adults); OR an Associate’s degree in a human‑services field from an accredited school and one year of experience; OR a high‑school diploma/GED and two years of experience with children/adolescents/TAY (or adults). Preferred / Required Education A high school diploma or equivalent is required; a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school or an Associate’s degree is strongly preferred. Experience may substitute for academic training in some cases. Driving Requirements Driving is required for this position using either a Vinfen van or a personal vehicle. If using a personal vehicle, the applicant must possess and maintain adequate insurance, a safe driving record subject to annual checks, and a valid U.S. driver’s license of at least six months. Incumbents must be at least 21 years old and pass a background check. Physical Effort Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, and climb. Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or a two‑person lift. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer. Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways. Ability to assist PS with tasks of daily living. Will remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Additional Certifications Required CPR required within two weeks of hire. First Aid required within two weeks of hire. MAP required within 150 days of hire. Pay Range USD 48,520.00 – USD 48,520.00 per year. #J-18808-Ljbffr Vinfen