Job Description

Lincoln Families is a workplace that is committed to strengths-based, culturally responsive, attachment-centered, and trauma-informed care.

POSITION: Family Advocate

PROGRAM: MDFT (Multi-Dimensional Family Therapy)

HOURLY RATE: $28.00

TEXT ‘MDFT985' to (510) 901-5627

What We Do: A family-focused treatment that transforms young lives and sets the course for a better future, the MDFT program at Lincoln Families provides short-term intensive therapy for youth struggling with mental health and substance use issues. Our highly trained staff utilize a collaborative, comprehensive approach emphasizing compassion and respect. Services include:

• Youth Therapy - Providing individual therapy to improve self-awareness and confidence, set goals, build communication and social skills, and reduce substance use and problem behaviors;
• Caregiver Supports - Working with caregivers to regain parental influence within their family;
• Family Coaching - Coaching and modeling to improve family problem-solving and increase feelings of love and connection;
• System Navigation - Improving access to community systems such as school and probation to decrease barriers to treatment.

Our Why: Youth with substance use issues are at a higher risk for mental health problems, including depressions, behavioral issues, and suicide. It affects their physical and emotional health, development, and academic success, and the relationships they have with family and friends. From alcohol and marijuana to vaping and opioids, adolescent addiction rates are growing at an alarming rate. Many youth and families are referred to us after being unsuccessful in other programs. The evidence-based practices of the MDFT model combined with Lincoln’s unique team approach is a critical intervention for many. Outcomes:

• 100% of youth remained living at home and not in placement with no new open child welfare cases
• 91% of youth abstained from hard substance use

POSITION SUMMARY: Reporting to the MDFT Program Manager, the Family Advocate will assist the family and treatment teams in providing the most appropriate delivery of services by providing insight and expertise to the family team. The Family Advocate will assist caregivers in accessing resources in the community that will assist the family in stabilizing the home environment and managing barriers to treatment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Participate in all family team meetings and treatment meetings as indicated by the treatment plan.
• Support caregivers in identifying, creating and working with resources to sustain tasks and goals set by the family team.
• Locate and gather resources that assist youth and families.
• Collaborate with other community-based services and work with probation officers, judges, public defender’s office and/or other external partners.
• Participate in weekly supervision.
• Complete all required trainings for evidence-based model.
• Requires driving to various locations across Alameda and/or Contra Costa counties to deliver services in the community or via home visits and supporting families in court, juvenile justice system or school; this also includes transporting youth and families as needed (must maintain valid California driver’s license, satisfactory driving record and personal vehicle insurance coverage).

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: A fierce advocate for youth and families who has the ability to work independently as well as within a multi-disciplinary team in order to deliver culturally sensitive services and have a positive youth development lens; this includes the ability to empower families to self-identify and advocate for necessary services vital to the stability of the child transitioning into the home. Must have demonstrated awareness of, sensitivity to and competence in dealing with cultural and socioeconomic diversity of client population spanning over a large geographic area. Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to relate effectively and professionally with youth, families, co-workers, supervisors and other staff or stakeholders. This position requires a flexible schedule based on program and client needs that may require evening work.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

• Lived experience navigating public systems such as child welfare, juvenile justice, mental health or social services
• Bachelor’s degree in field of social sciences is highly desirable
• Some college coursework (30 semester units or 45 quarter units) is preferred
• High school diploma or equivalent is required
• 2 years of work experience in case management or community-based services
• Previous experience working with Medi-Cal billing is preferred
• Bilingual language skills (English/Spanish) are a plus
• Basic-to-intermediate computer proficiency
• Must meet eligibility requirements to bill for Medi-Cal services

WHY JOIN LINCOLN FAMILIES:

• Hourly Rate: $28.00
  • Bilingual Skills: Up to an additional $2.50 per hour (contingent upon results of language proficiency test)
• Time Off: 4 weeks of vacation, 18 sick days and 11 holidays (including 2 flex holiday); Vacation and sick time begin accruing from day one of employment.
• Benefits: medical, dental and vision with 90-95% employer subsidy for employee premiums; we also offer 50% for dependents. Additional Benefits include flexible spending accounts (FSA), life insurance, disability insurance, commuter benefits, retirement & pension plans.
• Equity at Lincoln Families: we currently have an Employee Equity Council, a Management Equity Team and staff-run Affinity Groups. Lincoln Families also advocates regarding immigrant needs, housing stability & reimagining public safety.
• Wellness: Lincoln Families encourages and supports wellness for all employees so that staff are able to sustain themselves in this work and better serve our families. Staff create self-care plans and receive funding they can use each year towards those plans. Employees also have 1-3 hours of paid time per week for wellness activities.
• Professional Development/Training: Each year, employees can be reimbursed for expenses related professional licensing and other fees, as well as for professional development opportunities. Employees who have been at Lincoln Families for one year are also eligible to participate in advanced training series.
• Student Loan Forgiveness: We are a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit approved site. By working with Lincoln Families, staff are eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Top Bay Area Workplace: five years running…. 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025!

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