Mental Health Advocate at D A Blodgett-St Johns

Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

27 Mar, 26

Salary

48264.0

Posted On

27 Dec, 25

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Mental Health Support, Trauma Informed Care, Service Planning, Cultural Sensitivity, Communication, Collaboration, Organizational Skills, Advocacy, Behavioral Support, Documentation, Youth Engagement, Teamwork, Emotional Intelligence, Crisis Management, Flexibility, LGBTQ+ Support

Industry

Individual and Family Services

Description

Mental Health Advocate Job Title: Mental Health Advocate Department: Campus Programs Reports To: Assistant Director of Campus Programs Beginning Pay Range: $40,560.00 - $48,264.00 Classification: Full Time Salaried- Exempt D.A. Blodgett- St. John’s D.A. Blodgett- St. John’s provides a continuum of care with comprehensive services, including counseling, foster care, adoption, mentoring and residential care. These programs are built on our core belief, backed by research, that as long as children can be safe, they do best when they are with their families. D.A. Blodgett- St. John’s primarily serves children, youth and families in the greater Grand Rapids area, and some programming throughout the State of Michigan. D.A. Blodgett- St. John’s is dedicated to providing an inclusive and welcoming experience for all children, all families and all individuals. MISSION STATEMENT: To help children and empower families by providing safety, advocacy, and support. VISION: A safe, nurturing home for every child, a supportive community for every family. VALUES: * Exceptional Service: Client-focused and teaming at the center of our work. * Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion: All are welcomed, valued, and belong. * Excellence: Ongoing commitment to learning and improvement. * Integrity: Responsibility and ownership of our actions and results. * Creativity: Imagination, innovation, and intelligent risk taking. * Passion: Relentless positive energy toward our mission and vision SANCTUARY COMMITMENTS: * Nonviolence: Maintaining safety for all members of the community. * Emotional Intelligence: Managing emotions so we don’t hurt ourselves or others. * Social Learning: Together we accomplish more, we care for one another. * Democracy: Everyone has a voice, not necessarily a vote. * Open Communication: Respecting and sharing ideas of our team. * Social Responsibility: Say what you mean, don’t be mean when you say it. * Growth & Change: Creating hope for ourselves and the people we serve. POSITION SUMMARY: The Mental Health Advocate works as part of a collaborative team to provide mental health psycho education and support to youth in both individual and group settings. This role serves as a key coordinator between Campus Programs and the Family Preservation Division. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Campus Programs, the Advocate develops trauma informed, individualized, and developmentally appropriate support plans that align with the goals of D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s Campus Programs division. The Advocate contributes to written reports and case documentation, maintains clear and consistent communication with all parties involved, and may represent the agency in court hearings, meetings, and other activities related to assigned youth. Additionally, the Advocate supports aftercare services for residential youth as outlined in program contracts. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: * Participate in the intake process for youth referred to Campus Programs * Provide weekly check-in’s aligning with the mental, physical, cognitive and behavioral needs of the youth supported * Develop Service Plans for assigned cases for residential youth * Create and monitor safety plans, precautions and/or behavioral/mental health plans devised for a youth * Ensure that each youth on campus is engaged with supportive family members, community supporters, friends, and/or mentors. Advocates for youth and family needs at an organizational and program level. * Collaborate with campus clinician(s) to ensure consistency in therapeutic support for youth in milieu and programming. * Maintain regular and consistent communication with the referring and/or supervising caseworker of the assigned case * Acts as a cultural bridge between youth, families and community groups from different backgrounds. * Provide regular updates on youth progress and challenges for psychiatric evaluations and medication reviews for assigned cases * Work flexible hours to meet the needs of the youth and families’ schedules * Participate, in Family Team Meetings, Court Hearings, Case Conferences, Individualized Education Plan meetings, and other youth related meetings * Complete all written reporting and correspondence in a timely, concise and professional manner * Participate in team meetings for all campus programs teams * Abide by all policies ad practices of D.A. Blodgett- St. John’s * Complete other tasks as assigned by your supervisor Supervision Received: Specific Direction- Follows established work procedures. Receives periodic checks for performance Refers unique questions/conditions to immediate supervisor. Supervisory Responsibilities: The Mental Health Advocate may oversee Bachelor’s Level Social Work Interns. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: * Educational requirements are Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or equivalent, Master’s preferred * Experience supporting youth who have experienced abuse or neglect and/or youth diagnosed with development, cognitive and/or intellectual disabilities * Valid driver’s license, adequate insurance with a car available * Ability to work with a variety of people both within and outside the Agency and must promote a positive image of the Agency in the community and in relationship with other agencies and their personnel * Become familiar with and follow the code of ethics for your profession and agree to abide by the related Agency standards * Possess an understanding and sensitivity to the client’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics * Openness to feedback and professional growth to learn job-related functions * Personal qualities of warmth, sensitivity, and the ability to establish meaningful rapport and maintain mutual respect with people from various cultures * Personal qualities of organizational skills, assertiveness, good judgment, conscientiousness, attention to detail and timeliness * Experience supporting LGBTQ+ youth CORE COMPETENCIES: * Communication: Ability to effectively receive and express ideas, both written and verbal; using clear and concise vocabulary and active listening skills. Ability to communicate with small and large groups and ability to communicate with all * Planning and Organizing: Ability to set priorities and allocate resources properly to effectively achieve work responsibilities and objectives. * Integrity: Ability to adhere to organization policies and procedures, acting in a fair and just manner while maintaining confidentiality. * Reliability: Ability to be dependable, trustworthy, and committed to doing the best job possible and completing work in a timely and consistent manner. * Technical Skills: Ability to use technical knowledge and training to execute work; delivery high quality results. * Cultural Responsiveness: Ability to recognize, respect and adapt to cultural differences, promote equity and inclusion PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: 5+ hours per day * Working in stationary position * Move about work area * Use hands/fingers to handle or feel * Communicate with various parties * Visual acuity * Real and understand written word * Operate computer and general office machines * Office Environment: No exposure to extreme heat, cold, noise, chemicals or hazardous equipment 2 to 5 hours per day * Reach with hands and arms * Drive/travel Less than 2 hours per day * Bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl DABSJ strives to be a fully inclusive organization as we support a diverse group of children and families. We are building a diverse team that represents our customers and our community and recognize that each of us brings a unique perspective to the organization. We welcome differing thoughts, faiths, beliefs, groups, and lived experiences. The diversity and differences of each team member, foster parent, adoptive parent, child, and family make us #DABSJstrongertogether for children and families. DABSJ is an equal opportunity, at-will employer, and will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment. DABSJ does not discriminate on the basis of race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks and twists; culture, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, height, weight, marital status, veteran status, socio-economic status, disability, or other legally-protected characteristics as required by law. This job description does not list all duties of the job. Employees may be asked by management to perform other duties as needed. The Company reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment and does not infringe upon the Company’s at will employment status.

Responsibilities

The Mental Health Advocate provides psychoeducation and support to youth in individual and group settings, coordinating between Campus Programs and the Family Preservation Division. They develop individualized support plans and maintain communication with all parties involved.