MHSU Family Partner (Mobile/Remote)-Gaston/Lincoln/Rutherford

Position eligible for – 

• Annual incentive bonus plan
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with low deductible/low cost health plan
• Generous vacation and sick time accrual
• 12 paid holidays
• State Retirement (pension plan)
• 401(k) Plan with employer match
• Company paid life and disability insurance
• Wellness Programs
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Qualifying Employer

See attachment for additional details. 

Office Location:  Mobile position; Serving Gaston, Lincoln, and Rutherford Counties

Projected Hiring Range:  Depending on Experience

Closing Date:   Open Until Filled

Primary Purpose of Position: A Family Partner provides advocacy for families and the System of Care principles; coordinates recruitment and development of other family partners and their support of families as applicable. Provides education and trainings to families, staff, volunteers and the community on System of Care principles and applications of family-centered care. Supports local collaboration in developing and implementing policy.  

Role and Responsibilities: The Family Partner works within the System of Care values and principles to promote family voice, collaborative and advocacy and must adhere to The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the North Carolina Division of MH/DD/SUS, Partners’ policies and procedures, HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 regulations, other Federal and State Statutes, and other resource documents as indicated. 

35% Advocacy and Promotion: The Family Partner (a) promotes the family voice, family dynamics, and child development principles when working with families and child and family serving organizations (b) the Family Partner must understand team dynamics and processes to work as a member of the child and family teams (c) this position empowers families, other Family Partners, and community agencies to create strength-based plans that build on natural and community supports for positive life changes (d) the Family Partner must also understand and respect the potential effects of cultural, ethic, religious, gender differences on the development of relationships and interact with children and families and extended support system in a culturally sensitive manner. (e) the Family Partner must also respect and protect the confidentiality of family members and employees 

35% Education and Awareness: The Family Partner educates, trains and coaches: (a) Family Partners families on the expectations of the role of each team child and family team member in preparing for and attending child and family team meetings; (b) families and the community on system of care principles, child/family teams and role of the family partner (c) the position must promote and uphold system of care principles and assist families through the Care Review Process as applicable. 

30% Other Responsibilities: This position will require travel to meet with families, attend child/family teams, and other community meetings. The position will also travel throughout the catchment area to attend collaborative meetings, trainings, work groups, and support other family partners when needed. When applicable, this position will recruit, train, and coordinate family partners to support and advocate for families, which includes coordinating the availability of Family Partners in child/family teams, person-centered planning meetings, and other opportunities to assist and empower families.  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:  

• Considerable knowledge of and skill in establishing aid in available community resources.
• General knowledge of abnormal behavior, personality development, and the techniques of supportive individual and group counseling, and the social, economic and environmental conditions of clients served.
• Skill in relating to clientele served in performing supportive counseling and in appraising basic needs primarily through observation and exercise of good judgment in decision-making.  
• Detail oriented.
• Ability to accurately report data and activities in oral and written form to supervisor or inter-disciplinary teams.
• Ability to gain peer/parent acceptance and identification with the families and family partners.
• Employee must exercise good judgment, communication and analysis of information to ensure the highest quality of member care and working relationships among people and agencies working on behalf of children and families.

Education and Experience Required: High School graduate or equivalent. Must have “Lived Experience” of personally navigating the behavioral health and medical system of care for yourself, or be a parent/legal guardian/caregiver of a child (or immediate family member) for whom you have assisted with navigating the system of care. Because this is a requirement of the job, you will be asked during the interview to explain how you meet the “Lived Experience” requirement. Must be able to travel throughout assigned counties. 

Other Requirement:  Must reside in North Carolina. 

Education and Experience Preferred: Associate’s Degree in a program designed to prepare support personnel for human services agencies and two years of experience in providing support services to MH/SU/IDD members and interfacing with community agencies (i.e., juvenile court, schools, social services, behavioral health providers, other child/family agencies.  

Licensure/Certification Requirements: Has national certification as a Parent Support Provider, or willingness to work toward that certification.