Therapeutic Support Specialist

Mon-Fri: 3p-7p

The Therapeutic Support specialist provides activites to aid in the development and maintenance of friendships. In addition, self care and respite care, daily livings skills, knowledge of public transportation and community, career and vocational training, strategies to prevent and address bullying, as well as stress management and relaxation are some of the additional activities that support resiliency building and social recreational engagement.

Flexible Support Services is a program to assist children and youth diagnosed with serious emotional disturbance (SED) and their families. Services are provided within the scope of the wraparound model, which includes family-driven services, formal and natural supports, and professionals in a team approach.

• Associate or Bachelor degree in a human services field and one or more year(s) of experience working with youth/TAY living with serious emotional disturbance or other mental and emotional challenges.

Responsibilities:

1. Support youth/Transitional Age Youth (TAY) vision and futures planning.
2. Assist in the development, implementation, and ongoing support of individualized action plans, treatment interventions, and behavior management goals.
3. Utilizing the established goals, develop, implement, and monitor group and individual activities that promote enhanced family functioning, peer functioning and socialization skills, boundaries, community integration: involvement & navigation, self-care; career & vocational planning, independent living skills, shopping, budgeting, banking, and building of formal/informal supports.
4. Work with FSS Program Director and Clinician in collaboration with youth/TAY and Parent/Caregiver and all treatment providers to ensure Therapeutic Support Services are integrated and clinically coherent.
5. Collaborate on the development of safety/risk management plans and support youth/TAY in times of crisis.
6. Follow crisis plans and participate in problem-solving strategies in partnership with youth/TAY, Parent/Caregiver, and wrap team.
7. Provide advocacy to ensure all aspects of TS services are youth/TAY driven and incorporate their identified strengths, needs, and culture.
8. Record/track necessary outcomes data, write daily progress notes/activity sheets, co-create action plans and update monthly and/or as necessary, and complete all other program documentation as required and scheduled.
9. Utilize youth/TAY self-assessment data to monitor and collaboratively determine transition in collaboration with youth/TAY, Parent/Caregiver, Clinician, warp team, and DMH.
10. Celebrate with youth/TAY/Parent/Caregiver incremental success throughout service delivery.
11. Provide transport to youth/TAY to and from scheduled activities and medical appointments as needed and in support of action plan goals.
12. Participate in weekly clinical and administrative supervision and monthly consultation, and behavior rehearsals.
13. Provide other interventions commensurate with the Therapeutic Support Specialist’s credentials, experience, and training.
14. Perform duties consistent with DMH/BAMSI policies and procedures.
15. Execute duties to reflect reasonable safety standards. Universal/standard precautions must be utilized and training obtained in areas that constitute risk. Perform other related work duties as needed or as assigned by supervisor and/or designee.

Qualifications:

• Associate or Bachelor degree in a human services field and one or more year(s) of experience working with youth/TAY living with serious emotional disturbance or other mental and emotional challenges.
• Must be able to work collaboratively with a team, and possess effective interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Must have understanding and experience working with clinical issues related to mental health, domestic violence, substance abuse, neglect, etc.
• Must have knowledge and/or understanding of Wraparound process.
• Knowledge of state agencies (DMH, DCF, DDS, DYS, and DOE) and CBHI Services (ICC, In-home Therapy, FS&T, TM, ABA, and Out-patient Therapy) desired.
• Strong administrative, organizational, computer, professional writing, and oral communication skills preferred.
• Must be available to work flexible schedule including evening, weekends, and holidays regularly.
• Must be willing to have youth and families served in personal vehicle, and willingness to travel 80% of the time, in-state within BAMSI region.
• Must have valid driver’s license in state of residence and own means of transportation.