Family Partner-CARES Center Jackson, MS

About the role

Canopy Children's Solutions is Mississippi’s most comprehensive nonprofit provider of children’s behavioral health, educational, and social service solutions. The CARES Family Partner serves as a representative and advocate for youth and their families with behavioral health treatment needs who are clients of the CARES Center, maintaining communication among families, the community, and CARES Center staff.

Responsibilities

• Advocate, represent, support, and assist CARES Center families
• Assist in creating and sustaining a family-driven approach
• Provide families with information, advocacy skills, and related activities
• Assist families/child in crisis with appropriate referrals and supports
• Link families to information and resources on behavioral health systems
• Assist families in resolving complaints and concerns about Canopy Children’s Solutions system of care
• Identify and develop potential leaders and develop own leadership abilities
• With Recreation Department, plan, coordinate, and participate in three family fun days (fall, winter, and spring) per year, including inviting families and seeking their participation
• Facilitate a family support group
• Represent CARES/Canopy Children’s Solutions families at meetings, conferences, and related activities
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with professional partners
• Maintain and promote a high level of cultural competency
• Meet on a regular basis with CARES Center staff
• Coordinate job responsibilities with CARES management staff
• Carry out administrative duties, including maintaining regular and predictable attendance at the organization
• Participate and assist in quality assurance studies and program improvement activities
• Maintain a resource library for families
• Perform other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Experience as a parent or legal guardian of a child who has/had behavioral issues and has navigated through the mental health system of Mississippi
• Must maintain certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) through the Mississippi Department of Mental Health; if not acquired at time of hire, certification must be obtained within six months of hire
• Ability to listen to and problem solve with families
• Excellent organizational skills, experience in diverse communication styles, and ability to work with teams
• Dependability and a positive attitude

Required Physical Activities

• Sitting, standing, walking, reaching, pushing, pulling, grasping, lifting, talking, seeing, hearing, kneeling, stooping, bending, reaching overhead, and climbing stairs as needed and repetitive motions
• Physical ability to assist in the physical or therapeutic hold of youth when required, following organization-approved safety protocols

Characteristics of Work

• Frequent standing and walking, occasional sitting
• Lifting and carrying objects up to 50 pounds
• Ability to respond quickly to emergencies and physically assist or support youth and/or staff

Vision Requirements

• Close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus

Environmental Conditions

• Exposure to both inside and outside weather conditions
• Moderate to loud noise level in the work environment