Family Support Specialist (Youth Community Crisis Stabilization)

$41,600 - $41,600/Yr

Vinfen - Lowell, MA

Full-time - Entry Level

Lowell, MA

1,001-5,000 employees

Social Assistance

About the position

The YCCS Family Support Specialist plays a crucial role in providing supportive services to parents and caregivers of youth aged 13-18 facing behavioral health challenges, including mental health and substance use disorders. This position is part of the Youth Community Crisis Service (YCCS) program, which offers a community-based alternative to hospitalization, focusing on short-term crisis stabilization and treatment in a supportive environment. The specialist will engage with families, provide psycho-education, and assist in navigating the mental health system, ensuring that families feel respected and valued throughout the treatment process.

Responsibilities

• Create a welcoming environment for parents, families, and community members.
• Orient families to the services their loved one may receive at YCCS.
• Provide hope, encouragement, information, and one-to-one support to families during behavioral health crises.
• Participate in assessments to collect family/supporter information and understand their impact on the youth.
• Assist families in identifying and planning for the strengths and needs of the youth.
• Provide family psycho-education and refer families to community resources.
• Help families navigate systems related to behavioral health.
• Train and mentor colleagues in maintaining a family/supporter perspective.
• Provide evidence-based interventions and best practices.
• Support the development of the VBH Advisory Council.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
• First-hand experience with a child or family member receiving mental health services is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of behavioral health systems, DMH and DCF resources, and special education law is preferred.
• Preference for candidates representative of the demographics of the youth served, and/or bilingual or multicultural individuals.
• Must become CPR and First Aid Certified within two weeks of hire.
• Must pass a CORI, SORI, education, employment verification, and drivers record check.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance for employees working 30 hours or more
• 15 days of Vacation, 12 Paid Holidays, 10 Sick Days and 3 Personal Days per year
• Education Assistance and Tuition Remission Programs
• Professional Development programs including online training courses and CEUs
• Retirement savings programs including a fully funded employer-sponsored retirement plan
• Company paid Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Term, Whole Life, Accident and Critical Care Insurance
• Flexible Spending Reimbursement Accounts
• Employee Referral Bonuses with no annual cap
• Access to wellness programs and discounted memberships