YCCS Family Support Staff

The Youth Community Crisis Stabilization (YCCS) Family Support Staff, based in Walpole, MA, will primarily be responsible for providing supportive services to parents and caregivers for youth ages 13-18 with behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder and/or co-occurring disorders. The Family Support Staff is expected to be knowledgeable of the program's mission, treatment philosophy, and policies and procedures and to implement this understanding in their work with parents and caregivers of youth who are referred to the YCCS program.

How You'll Be Making a Difference

• Knowledge and application of program routines and structure. Maintain a general understanding of the population of youths with whom we work.
• Create a comfortable and welcoming environment in which parents, caregivers, and family members are respected and valued.
• Orient parents, caregivers, and family members to the services youth may receive while at the YCCS program.
• Share personal lived experiences with and engage youth, parents, caregivers, and family members in order to support their treatment goals.
• Provide hope, encouragement, information, and support to youth, parents, caregivers, and family members during their behavioral and mental health crisis and after.
• Participate in the assessment process by collecting current and historical family information with a focus on understanding the youth's relationships.
• Assist parents, caregivers, and family members to identify, understand, and plan for the strengths and needs of the youth by integrating youth and family voice in decision making about services.
• Exhibit competence in working in partnership with parents, caregivers, and family members of youth with behavioral and mental health needs, by supporting youth engagement in services.
• Provides psycho-education to parents, caregivers, and family members in regards to the behavioral health system and services, and refer to resources in the community for continued family support and education when appropriate.
• Assist in collaborating and coordinating with the youth's treatment providers.
• Attend family therapy sessions, and other meetings as needed to provide support to the youth, parents, caregivers, and family members.
• Provide a therapeutic milieu environment for youths, maintaining a safe and healthy environment; meet the physical and emotional needs of youths.
• Provide First Aid appropriately as needed
• Provide group and individual behavior support and intervention as trained, including the use of TCI appropriate physical restraint as necessary. Report and or coordinate medical and emergency situations to RN/LPN and supervisors on shift.
• Complete all assigned paperwork including time sheet, incident reporting, required logs, shift notes and 51A's in a thorough and timely manner
• Attend all required meetings as necessary
• Actively participate in supervision with supervisors and any required training/professional development opportunities
• Interact with all co-workers, families, collaterals in youth in a professional and respectful manner.

Qualifications

• High school diploma
• One year of child care experience in a residential setting with similar population of youth preferred.
• Computer literate, including Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer, with the ability to learn new software applications.
• Must have lived, personal experience as a parent or caregiver, or substantial involvement with youth receiving services through the mental health system. This could be youth with behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder and/or co-occurring disorders.
• Must be willing to share their lived experience with purpose and intent to support brief interventions that address a youth's behavior and safety.
• Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• An ability to communicate with the youth and their families in a manner which promotes their growth, human rights, and integration into the community.

What The Home Can Offer You

In addition to the chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of the youth we serve, The Home for Little Wanderers offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Generous time off including up to 20 days per year for new full-time employees, plus 11 holidays, 5 sick days, and 2 personal days
• Health and Dental Insurance that is effective immediately upon hire
• Extensive training to new staff
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $2,400 per fiscal year
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer match
• Employer paid Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance, plus Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• And more!

Valuing Diversity

We are committed to excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion, while simultaneously creating a culture that supports those values. We believe the differences we bring enhance our ability to provide exceptional service and care to diverse children, families, and communities. Moreover, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging align with our values and our mission to help vulnerable children and their families build permanent, positive change.