Job Description

Family Support Specialist: REGIONS-Staff Secure Residential Treatment Program for Male Youth, Hartford, CT

SCHEDULE: 8:00AM – 4:00PM Sunday – Thursday

COMPENSATION: $24.76 per/hour ($51,500 annual)

AGENCY DESCRIPTION

One of the oldest organizations of its kind in the country, Community Partners in Action (CPA) was founded nearly 150 years ago to champion criminal justice reform and advocate for preserving the dignity of those in and out of prison. Through our programs that include reentry and housing, youth initiatives, a nationally recognized Prison Arts Program, and holistic alternatives to incarceration, we provide a long-term impact that positively transforms individuals and society at large. Annually serving nearly 7,000 individuals throughout Connecticut, our work is possible due to partnerships with and support from individuals, government, private funders, organizations, and businesses.

CPA is guided by our BEDI ( B elonging, E quity, D iversity, and I nclusion) culture. WE ARE COMMITTED to building and maintaining an inclusive, equitable workplace and COMPELLED to have a constructive impact on criminal justice reform in CT that ends racial inequities and ensures the humanity and dignity of those interacting with the system. Read more about our BEDI culture at

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The REGIONS Staff Secure Program is a residential treatment program for up to 8 male youth. The mission of the program is to provide a home-like environment with a DBT trauma-informed, culturally responsive, gender-specific, linguistically appropriate, strengths-based, and relationship-driven milieu for the youth to help them improve their social, physical and emotional well-being. Our vision is to therapeutically intervene in the cycle of offending to reduce the youth's risk factors and prevent them from transitioning into the adult justice system. Our treatment philosophy is one that is individualized, designed to help the youth develop a positive self-image, learn effective coping skills, experience success, gain confidence, build positive relationships, achieve behavioral changes and re-enter their communities better equipped to succeed.

The youth in this program may have a high violence risk but it is not likely to be chronic and/or had later onset. The youth are not likely to have a history of violence nor be at risk for future violence. They are at a reduced risk to public safety and if they AWOL their behavior is not likely to involve violence or public safety risk. The youth in the REGIONS Staff Secure Program are amenable to treatment.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma/GED or higher with lived experience and at least two years' experience directly working with system-involved families. Certified peer specialist preferred. Understanding and knowledge of DBT gender specific, trauma-informed, culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate issues and needs; knowledge of behavior motivation and psychosocial interventions; knowledge of child psychology and development. Strong emotional intelligence, ability to interact with multi-cultural populations, leadership, decision making, communication, interpersonal and organizational/ prioritization skills, adaptability, flexibility, resourcefulness and resiliency. Must share the belief that people can change and individuals in need deserve quality services and an opportunity to succeed. Familiarity with relevant state and federal laws. Must have and maintain a valid CT driver's license and reliable transportation, and be able to transport to appointments as appropriate, and to facilitate family visitation/sessions and home passes. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred. Requires flexible schedule including evening and weekend coverage.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Promote a culture of respect, empathy, mutual support, belonging and work to eliminate any unconscious bias or discrimination in our beliefs, rules and systems.
• At time of referral, collaborate with Reintegration Mentor and Clinician to engage the youth, family and community resources in preparation for program admission.
• Support the family's ability to participate in the treatment of their child by helping them to create a support network.
• Serve as a role model, treating each family with dignity and respect while promoting hope and teaching self-advocacy.
• Develop and implement family engagement and empowerment strategies that are responsive to the unique needs of each youth/family and will:
  • Ensure families are visiting with their children,
• Ensure families are engaging in treatment sessions and team meetings,
• Ensure families are developing self-advocacy skills,
• Increase family satisfaction with their child's treatment and education, and
• Reduce recidivism.
• Participate as a member of the treatment team and support the clinician with scheduling family visits, home visits and provide transportation for families.
• Provide direct support to the families and share the “family perspective” with program staff and administrators, including barriers affecting the youth and family.
• Support families by providing DBT skills groups with the family.
• In partnership with the Reintegration Mentor and Clinician, solicit feedback from the families about program improvements, suggestions for further engagement and the overall experience.
• In partnership with the Reintegration Mentor, assist the family and Juvenile Probation Officer with the transition to community after-care services.
• Analyze and evaluate the accomplishment of program objectives.
• Perform quality assurance audits to ensure compliance with applicable standards.
• Participate in and maintain SCM certification.
• Comply with all funding and reporting requirements.
• Establish and maintain professional boundaries with all staff, youth and providers.
• Serve as a role model to youth and staff modeling pro-social behaviors.
• Promote a culture of respect, empathy, mutual support, belonging and work to eliminate any unconscious bias or discrimination in our beliefs, rules and systems.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external providers.
• Participate in all required training.
• · Perform all other duties assigned.

An Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Affirmative Action

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