Part-time Family Support Worker

About the role

The Mental Health Association is seeking a Part-time Family Support Worker for our Intensive Family Support Services program, operating out of our Newton office. Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS) provides support for individuals who have an adult family member with mental illness. Caring for someone who has a mental illness may be physically and emotionally stressful, stigmatizing, and isolating. IFSS provides supportive counseling, family support groups, psychoeducational workshops, advocacy and linkage on behalf of family members.

Responsibilities

• With an understanding of family dynamics and family systems theory, implements intake and assessments of each family’s strengths and coping abilities.
• Ability to provide current information on bio-neurological aspects of mental illnesses and medications used in treatment, and the impact of substance use related to mental illness.
• Knowledge of the diathesis stress model and the guiding principles of adult education and group work.
• Engage families into therapeutic relationships offering supportive counseling in the office, home, or at a designated community setting.
• Co-facilitate ongoing family support groups as well as assist in the design and co-facilitation of short-term specialized family support groups, i.e., sibling support or support for children of parents with mental illness, etc.
• Ability to effectively outreach and serve minority families with cultural sensitivity and cultural competence.
• Provide families with supportive telephone counseling and consultation.
• Collaborate and consult with other treatment providers on behalf of the family’s needs. In addition, provide education to families on how to interface effectively with professionals in the mental health field.
• Design and provide family respite services to help reduce caregiver stress.
• With a knowledge of mental health resources in the county, handle telephone and walk-in requests for information and referrals.
• Comply with all mandated documentation and In-Service trainings.
• Statistical reporting plus other duties as assigned by the Senior Director.

Qualifications

• BA in behavioral health sciences.
• MA in Social Work, Psychology or a similar advanced degree is preferred.
• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant clinical experience in a mental health setting and knowledge of family experience in relation to mental illness.
• The ability to work a flexible schedule as evening hours are sometimes required.
• A valid driver’s license in good standing.

Benefits

• Fully paid medical coverage for eligible staff.
• Generous 401(k) match.
• Plentiful Paid Holidays, Vacation, Personal and Sick time.

Pay

Hourly Base Range: $30-$34/hour