Family Support Partner

FSRI is always looking for candidates that want to make a positive impact on the community! 

About the Program:

South County Academy (SCA), a program of Family Service of Rhode Island and in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), is a residential treatment program upholding RIDE standards located in Exeter, Rhode Island. The Academy serves up to 16 adolescent females, ages 13 to 17, who have experienced trauma and present with complex behavioral health needs. Students live in single-bedroom accommodations and are supported by staff 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our clinical model is grounded in evidence-based practice, including Trauma Systems Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Restorative Practices. On-site academic instruction allows students to continue their education without interruption.

Position Summary: The Family Support Partner (FSP) is a peer role. The FSP uses their own lived experience as a parent or caregiver of a young person with behavioral health, child welfare, or juvenile justice involvement to build authentic, nonjudgmental relationships with the parents, caregivers, guardians, and identified permanency connections of youth placed at SCA. The FSP is not a clinician and does not provide therapy, diagnosis, or direct treatment. The FSP partners with families so that family voice is present and heard in every stage of care, from admission through discharge and aftercare. The FSP supports the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) principle that residential care is one part of a continuum, and that family and community connections must stay active throughout placement. The FSP works within the TST framework and supports the program in maintaining TST in the milieu. Family involvement with the FSP is by family choice. Some families may decline this support, and others may need it only briefly. The length of the relationship differs with each family because the purpose of the role is to move the family toward self-efficacy, not dependence.

Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Lived experience as a parent or caregiver of a child or youth with serious emotional disturbance, a developmental disability, child welfare involvement, or juvenile justice involvement is required. This is a peer role, and this experience is the core qualification.
• Demonstrated ability to use personal lived experience appropriately and selectively in a professional helping relationship.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic issues, and to the experiences of families involved with child welfare.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including conflict resolution and mediation.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred.
• Willingness and capability to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends as needed, since family availability drives this role.
• Current driver’s license, reliable transportation with a minimum of three seats in addition to the driver’s seat, and proof of automobile insurance, registration, and inspection. Acceptable driving record required.
• Employees may be scheduled to work shifts less than three hours in any workday to attend required staff meetings, which are agreed to in advance by the parties.
• Must pass all background checks required for employment in a licensed residential program serving youth, including BCI and DCYF clearances.
• Bilingual/ASL skills are compensated by an additional 6%, above base pay.
• Multilingual skills are compensated by an additional 8%, above base pay.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to utilize a computer and Electronic Medical Record to complete documentation.
• Ability to travel to office and community locations.
• This position will require a combination of clinic- and community-based work, with approximately 40-60% of time spent in the community (requiring local travel) to meet clients.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, registration, and auto insurance is also required.
• Ability to work independently and part of a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.

Don’t meet every single requirement?  Here at FSRI, we’re dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you’re excited about one of our career opportunities, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be the perfect fit for this or another opportunity! 

We offer our employees a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental and work life benefits.
Only together can we continue to grow and make a difference in our communities.
Join our FAMILY today!

Family Service of RI (FSRI) is a statewide organization with a 130 year track record of improving the health and well-being of children and families. We are passionate about our mission to advance opportunity and hope. FSRI’s diverse and inclusive teams – working across the Health, Healing, Home and Hope divisions, are experts in their fields, delivering strategies to positively impact lives. We provide services statewide, and currently operate in three locations in Providence; and four locations in East Providence, Smithfield and North Smithfield. 

Family Service of Rhode Island provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

FSRI determines pay based on a candidate's relevant and transferable experience, certifications, licenses, degree and language ability.