Family Support Specialist, Juvenile Justice - Hampden, Middlesex/Essex, Worcester Counties

Are you looking to make a difference for justice-involved families in the Hampden, Middlesex/Essex, Worcester Counties, MA area? Are you interested in keeping kids with mental health needs out of the juvenile justice system? Do you have experience with a child involved with juvenile justice and mental health needs? If so, this position may be for you!!

Parent/Professional Advocacy League is a statewide, grassroots family organization that advocates for improved access to mental health services for children, youth and their families. PPAL works with families throughout Massachusetts who need help navigating juvenile justice, mental health, school, and other systems. PPAL’s goals are to support families, nurture parent leaders, and work for systems change. We work in close partnership with other community and state agencies to improve outcomes for all youth and families. More information about PPAL can be found at https://ppal.net.

Juvenile Justice (JJ) Family Support Specialists at PPAL help engage and support families of youth who are (or at risk of becoming) juvenile justice involved. You must be passionate about and committed to improving outcomes for justice-involved youth by empowering and educating their parents/caregivers through family voice, family engagement, and participation in strong family/system/provider partnerships.

The Family Support Specialist, Juvenile Justice must:

● have experience raising a child, youth, or young adult with emotional, behavioral or mental health needs

● have a steadfast commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging

● embrace and celebrate all cultures, ethnicities, languages, gender identities, sexual preferences, ages, lifestyles, and abilities - all families are important and treated with respect

● have a strong desire to support PPAL’s mission of improving the mental health and wellbeing of children and families

● be able to work some evenings and weekends

● have a valid MA driver’s license, and access to a car (driving is required) This position is currently hybrid – office (Westborough, MA), home, and community-based - generally during Monday – Friday business hours. You must be flexible in your ability to be in the office, in the community, and at required meetings. Bilingual candidates preferred.

In this position, you will:

● Provide information and referral to families and professionals around resources and services

● Empower families to advocate for their own child and family by providing and/or creating skill building opportunities

● Attend and be involved in training families in telling their own story

● Visit detention facilities in the region to engage parents

● Representing PPAL and family voice always in a positive and professional manner; preparing parents to represent family voice on various committees with a purpose of system change

● Participate in Juvenile Justice related meetings and community events; and develop and maintain partnerships with relevant community partners.

● Participate in marketing and outreach campaigns to generate awareness and accessibility of PPAL’s services in the applicable communities, schools, and psychiatric and medical provider offices

● Conduct presentations, trainings, and workshops as determined with the Program Manager, and assist with all other program deliverables

● Adhere to and implement PPAL’s policies, procedures, and data collection to support the efficient and effective operation of the JJ Program and PPAL

● Identify and regularly report to the Program Manager areas of needed improvement within PPAL and the JJ and mental health systems and make recommendations for improvement

● Embracing diverse cultural norms and regularly demonstrating cultural awareness, humility, and a desire to learn.

If this describes you, let’s talk! Interested candidates should submit their resume and a cover letter (including your personal experience with children’s mental health) to apply@ppal.net.

This is a 20-40 hour/week part-time position with an hourly pay range of $20 to $22 per hour based on experience. Benefits include generous PTO and holidays, and health and dental insurance for 30 hours/week or more.