Case Worker: Family Partner

The Behavioral Health (BH) Case Worker: Family Partner will be responsible for providing parents/caregivers with structured, one-to-one family support and training services that are aimed at addressing the needs of the identified youth client. In the CSA, the Family Partner works in conjunction with an identified clinical hub such as an ICC, Outpatient or In-Home Therapist; and in the Family Resource Center (FRC), the Family Partner works in conjunction with the independently licensed FRC clinician. In both programs, the Family Partner is responsible for supporting the hub or the clinicians in implementing the client’s care plan. This includes service eligibility determination, services plan development, service coordination, resource development, as well as provide education, support, coaching, training and advocacy. The Case Worker: Family Partner should attend to risk issues, documentation of care, timeliness of documentation, professionalism, caseload expectations, and administrative issues related to providing services that are aligned with best practices such as the Principles of Wrap-Around Care.

• The Family Partner is responsible for supporting the caregiver by improving the capacity of the parent/caregiver to parent the youth so as to improve the youth’s functioning in the community or to assist the youth in returning to the community. The family partner will provide education, assistance in navigating the child serving systems (DCF, education, mental health, juvenile justice, etc.); fostering empowerment, including linkages to peer/parent support and self-help groups; assistance in identifying formal and community resources (e.g., after-school programs, food assistance, summer camps, etc.) natural supports, coaching, and training for the parent/caregiver.

• Provide the highest-quality care to clients in keeping with best-practice, agency standards, and the directives of the position. Practice within the ethical guidelines; maintain privacy and HIPAA standards. • Compose oneself with professionalism, ethical practice, and compassionate regard for clients/clients. To this end, the case worker should demonstrate competency, reliability, honesty, integrity, respectfulness, continued learning, positivity, mutual support, effective collaboration, active listening, and attention to the responsibilities of the job. The case worker should dress neatly, professionally, and appropriately to the situation. The case worker should communicate orally with etiquette, honesty, respectfulness and composure; written communication should demonstrate professional writing skills and be in keeping with the policies and procedures of the agency.• Maintain or exceed expected caseload on a weekly, monthly and annual basis. The specific caseload expectation will be established for each Case Worker: Family Partner. Achieving this caseload number may involve working evening hours.• Document all services in the required data entry system (e.g. agency Electronic Health Record), in keeping with established timeframes, best practices, and through required forms/documents. Respond to Quality Management and Utilization Review protocols and alerts.• Ensure that any issues or concerns related to risk (client risk, staff risk, facility risk, and/or programmatic risk) or ethical misconduct are immediately brought to a supervisor, assistant director, director or other licensed senior staff member.• Provide services such that the following values are embedded in practice:o Promote client-centered care that adheres to best practice standards and recognizes “client voice and client choice,” o Recognize the multiple perspectives of clients and their caregiving systemo Be cognizant of issues of inclusion, equity and diversity of people that might otherwise be marginalized or oppressed.o Utilize active and reflective listening as well as the exchange of feedback,o Orient oneself in a strengths-based approach,o Develop an understanding of the impact of trauma and substance abuse,o Provide positive regard, empathy, curiosity, respect, and professionalism, o Establish and maintain clear expectations and boundaries, ando Remain cognizant of and proactive about any issues of safety / risk.• Attend and participate in a variety of meetings and trainings including but not limited to: supervision, group supervision, program team meetings, trainings, and other staff meetings as determined. • Engage in ongoing learning and development of skills and professional growth through trainings, supervision, and ongoing delivery of services. The practice of professional development should also include self-reflection and self-care.• Respond accordingly to the administrative and/or financial systems related to services including referral, office administrative, billing, and supervisor.

• The Case Worker may represent the agency at community events or committees, as appropriate.• Work in an integrative, collaborative, and supportive fashion with colleagues, supervisors, directors, and other personnel within the agency. Participate as an effective, productive, respectful member of the YOU, Inc. work force.• As needed, assist Supervisor (or the Director and/or Assistant Director of BH services) with any data and/or information related to quality and compliance, productivity, and/or other administrative services.• May provide case presentations or consultations, within the scope of knowledge.• Completes other duties as assigned.

• Developing and/or demonstrated proficiency in individual/youth and family case work and/or wrap-around care. Knowledge of mental health, educational, developmental care, child welfare, and/or juvenile justice systems preferable.• Proof of a valid driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and reliable personal transportation to fulfill essential job functions is required. Privately owned vehicle has current and valid state registration and safety inspection sticker, is safe, and is ensured according to the minimum state requirements (pertaining to bodily injury and liability). As per Massachusetts state law, driving under the influence of any substance is against the law, prohibited, and may be grounds for immediate termination.• Demonstrated and/or developing competency with establishing a therapeutic rapport with clients and effective collaborative relationships with providers.

• Developing and/or demonstrated ability to use experience as a caregiver of a youth with special needs to teach, coach, and support a parent/caregiver consumer.

• Developing and/or demonstrated proficiency in providing care planning, care coordination, service delivery resource development, advocacy, and/or discharge/after-care planning. • Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion, confidentiality, collaboration, ethics, appropriate boundaries and good judgment. Demonstrated ability to seek out supervision and consultation as needed. • Thorough and clear oral and written communication skills, organization skills, timeliness, and ability to work effectively with others.

• Must be able to perform sedentary aspects of position, including, but not limited to desk and computer work, typing, driving to meetings and trainings, as well as driving/transporting clients as necessary.• Must also be able to perform therapeutic activities with children and families.• Must be able to perform the duties listed above, with or without a reasonable accommodation.• Employee may be required to intervene in order to de-escalate and/or provide safety of clients using techniques as trained and approved by YOU, Inc, and appropriate to community and home-based settings. Employee needs to complete the agency’s human service worker safety and/or home-based worker safety training.