Family Support Counselor jobs in Worcester, MA

CSO is looking for a Family Support Worker for our Family Resource Center in Gardner.

Family Resource Center (FRC) is a community based, family focused program supporting parents, caregivers, and their children ages birth to 18 years. The FRC can provide linkages to community resources to help with basic needs, family support, and help with resources.  We provide a holistic array of activities for families that include support groups for parents, evidence based parenting groups, school support, as well as arts, cultural, and recreational activities. 

As a Family Support Worker you will provide intensive, clinical case management to FRC children and families. Services will be provided on-site or on an outreach basis.

CSO offers Training in: Trauma informed care, Motivational Interviewing, Cultural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Mindfulness Skills and more. 

Responsibilities

• Provide information and education to Family Members about community resources related to basic needs, family support, and health related services.
• Develop and maintain FRC calendar of events.
• Host parent and youth support groups.
• Assist in developing communication and conflict resolution skills and act as a role model for interpersonal relationships, i.e. peer, parent/child.
• Recruit and support volunteers to lead specialized support groups as needed.
• Participate in team discussions regarding program consumers in order to provide back up for other team members as needed.
• May provide Therapeutic Mentoring services to youth, including role playing, teaching of alternative strategies, provision of anticipatory guidance, behavioral rehearsals, and exposure to social situations in which age-appropriate skills can be practiced.
• Provide transportation for consumers as appropriate, following program guidelines.
• Attend and participate in regular supervision as directed by supervisor.
• If qualified, may also serve as a Family Partner.
• Maintain neat, accurate, and timely records in accordance with agency policies and procedures along with all regulatory bodies. 

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a behavioral health discipline or related field, or equivalent combination of high school diploma or Associate's degree and applicable experience. Minimum one year demonstrated experience working with children, adolescents and families, including experience navigating children's systems and supports within the community.  Knowledge of and training in child development and children's mental health experience. Demonstrated parenting skills.  Good listening skills; ability to establish trusting relationships through compassion, empathy and insight, and ability to foster self-sufficiency in families using problem-solving and practical skills; familiarity with support groups or parent education groups. Excellent oral and written communication skills and computer proficiency required including ability to work with email, electronic health record and word processing software.  Must be able to work independently and follow through with projects as well as be an effective member of a team.  Must be able to work flexible schedule which may include evening and weekend work, as required by client needs. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.

Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Benefits

We provide our employees with competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including full coverage health and dental insurance and ample paid time off (vacation, personal, sick, and holidays). Additionally, we offer a 403B retirement savings plan, an employee referral bonus program, regular in-house training and professional development opportunities with free CEUs, and voluntary supplemental insurances at group rates, including short and long-term disability, cancer, accident and life. We also offer a premier employee assistance program (EAP) and personal cell phone plan discounts. Our work environment is flexible and supportive, with ample opportunities for collaboration within and across departments, programs and locations. 

Our Agency

Clinical & Support Options, Inc. is a behavioral health organization serving individuals and families across Western Massachusetts. From our early days as a child guidance clinic, we have expanded into a full service behavioral health agency, committed internally to excellence while we collaborate externally with community partners to participate in a comprehensive system of assistance and resources for the residents of our communities. We employ over 650 multi-disciplinary staff, helping thousands of families over the past 50 years. We have community based office locations throughout Western Massachusetts, including Springfield, Northampton, Greenfield, Orange, Athol, Gardner and Pittsfield.

Our expertise, in a nutshell, is to support people in their progress towards self-sufficiency, no matter what challenges they face on that journey. EOE/AA