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Mental Health America of the MidSouth

Bilingual Family Support Specialist

Mental Health America of the MidSouth

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Job Summary

**A fluency in both English and Spanish are required for this position. Applicants must be able to pass a language screening**

Mental Health America of the MidSouth (MHA) is a 75-year-old mainstay that provides an array of trainings, programs, and advocacy work to promote mental health and emotional wellness.  This Nashville-based affiliate is the largest Mental Health America affiliate in the South. Programs focus on suicide prevention, anti-bullying in schools, multicultural outreach, support for Alzheimer’s caregivers, mental health screenings, workplace wellness, and more.

MHA’s Multicultural Outreach Program is hiring a Family Support Specialist, who will provide Home Study (HS) and Post Release Services (PRS) for Unaccompanied Children (UC).  UCs are minors in the United States who may not have parents or guardians, and who may be living with sponsors.  This position will report to the Regional Supervisor.

Job Responsibilities

  • Conduct time-sensitive and thorough home study assessments for potential placements for UC, including background interviews, home assessment, and case analysis.
  • Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate post placement services and comprehensive case management for UC;
  • Carry a case minimum caseload of 25 PRS cases, or at least 3 home studies with 20 PRS cases;
  • Conduct brief interventions to help families address crises and manage conflict, as needed;
  • Complete individualized needs assessments with UC and sponsor, and develop case plans with particular attention to culture, language, and special circumstances;
  • Maintain a high standard of record-keeping according to USCRI and the US Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) policies and procedures.  
  • Provide information, education, referrals, outreach, advocacy, and support to ensure that each child receives the services they require;
  • Assess the safety and appropriateness of the placement on an ongoing basis using child welfare principles and social work best practices through phone/video calls, interviews, and home visits;
  • Build a network of local pro bono legal resources and service providers to facilitate access for UC and sponsors, and track individual progress;
  • Coordinate and maintain communication with key stakeholders;
  • Participate in regular training and communication sessions with supervisor and headquarters staff; and 
  • Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

All of the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. All job duties indicated is not to be an exhaustive statement and other job-related duties may be assigned as required by the supervisor(s). 

Qualifications

  • Masters of Social Work, a behavioral science, or social services field, with at least two years’ progressive experience in the fields listed above; or a Bachelor’s degree in social work, a behavioral science, or social services field with a minimum of three years’ progressive experience in the fields listed above;
  • Experience in child welfare, child placements, family preservation and social service provision is desired;
  • Must be skilled at writing professional, thorough assessment reports
  • Must possess an extensive knowledge of immigrant community local resources;
  • Excellent organizational, verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, and ability to prioritize duties in a fast-paced environment;
  • Must have a valid driver’s license, insurance, a clean driving record, and personal transportation;
  • Position requires up to 50 percent long distance travel with limited notice;
  • Position is remote and the candidate must have an appropriate workspace to complete documentation, client phone calls, and video conferencing;
  • Fluency in Spanish is required; proficiency in additional languages a plus;
  • Candidate must demonstrate a commitment to comply with mandatory state reporting requirement for child abuse and neglect;
  • Candidate must have dedication to the human rights of refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers and displaced people;
  • Candidate must pass a criminal background check that includes past history of conviction of child and sexual abuse;
  • Possess or be able to obtain CPR and basic first aid certification; and

 

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

  • Satisfactory completion of USCRI and ORR required trainings prior to serving clients and on an annual basis.
  • The FSS must be able to lift 20 lbs.
  • 50% travel may be required by this position.

Additional Information

Benefits

MHA offers excellent benefits that include health, dental, vision, 403B plan, long-term disability, mileage reimbursement for work-related travel, generous PTO, and more. MHA employees work half each week remotely and half each week in our Nashville-based office, unless they are training external stakeholders in the community. 

How to Apply

Interested applicants may send a cover letter and resume to Amber Hampton, Program Director, at ahampton@mhamidsouth.org.

Details

  • Date Posted: March 22, 2022
  • Type: Full-Time
  • Job Function: Clinician
  • Service Area: Children / Youth
  • Start Date: 04/11/2022
  • Salary Range: 54,000-58,000
  • Working Hours: 37.5 hrs/wk; M-F 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.