Family Support Specialist - Wise Program

Frontier Behavioral Health’s presence in Spokane is more than 100 years strong, allowing our non-profit organization to understand the varied needs of our clients and the larger community.  Our programs are designed to provide evidence-based treatment to adults, youth and seniors who are dealing with a wide range of behavioral health issues.  As a Trauma-Informed Care Organization, we firmly believe in recovery and that our clients can lead fulfilling and meaningful lives, and we consider it an honor and a privilege to assist them in their journey.  If you want to have a positive impact in the lives of others come join us!

WHY CHOOSE FRONTIER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH?

• At Frontier Behavioral Health, we value our employees and recognize the importance of EVERY employee’s contribution to our mission.

• Our behavioral health services make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve and contribute to the health, safety, and quality of life for everyone in Spokane County.

• At FBH we have a variety of client services, including outpatient, inpatient, community outreach, crisis services, partnerships with schools, law enforcement and more.

• Our evidence-based, culturally appropriate, trauma informed behavioral health services address the diverse needs of those we serve.

WRAPAROUND WITH INTENSIVE SERVICES (WISe)

WISe is a team and community-based model that provides individualized services to ensure youth and their families live successfully in their homes and communities. This program provides comprehensive behavioral healthcare services and supports to Medicaid-eligible individuals age 21 or younger and their families. WISe services will:

• Reduce the impact of mental health symptoms on youth and families, increase resiliency, and promote recovery

• Keep youth safe, at home, and progressing in school

• Help youth avoid delinquency

• Promote youth development and maximize potential to grow into healthy, independent adults.

• Focused and driven by the needs of family and family's support community; and provided in  partnership with the client, family, and mental health provider.

The WISe Wrap Around Family Support Specialist (FSS) is specially trained to coordinate and facilitate the WISe process individual(s) and their families. The FSS provides advanced care coordination activities to enrolled children and families within all phases and activities of WISe. This is a specialized position requiring a willingness to work a flexible 24/7 schedule in rotation with other clinical staff assigned to the WISe Team.

The FSS is to provide targeted support services, and to assist in the provision of a system of care that is child-centered with the needs of the child and family dictating the types and mix of services provided, to assist in preventing an out-of-home placement. To be effective, the FSS will work with children in their homes and communities and incorporate the entire family in the treatment program and be focused on their strengths as well as the child’s age and cultural heritage.

The FSS function will be initiated with the application of a Care Plan prepared by the WISe clinician in close collaboration with the client and his/her family as well as a Cross System Care Plan that is prepared by the FSS. The coordination of services between agencies will be an on-going task for the FSS. The FSS is expected to develop cooperative working relationships with all agencies serving eligible youth, from which a client might be expected to receive direct or indirect services, as well as establishing and maintaining a therapeutic relationship with those clients and their families who are in need of support.

Under the WISe model, meeting families at a time that works best for them is a core principle. There are times when a WISE staff member may need to “flex” their work time to adjust for client needs that result in an appointment that occurs prior to or after the employee’s regularly scheduled day. This means that an employee’s workday may start or end at various times throughout the work week depending upon the needs of the youth and their family on their caseload.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES includes but are not limited to the following:

1. Provide care coordination services to clients assigned to WISe, including:

• Guiding the team process as delegated or assigned.

• Identifying and including the client’s support network in care coordination;

• Assisting clients in identifying and accessing resources which will meet their needs;

• Coordination and collaboration with community resources on behalf of clients.

• Encourage each member to identify their priority concerns, work proactively to minimize areas of potential conflict, and acknowledge the mandates of others involved in child-serving systems.

• Support an effective team culture by participating in the development of an appropriate set of ground rules for working together.

2. Increase the “natural supports” in the youth/family’s life.  Prepare for and run Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings inclusive of the following:

•  Develop a meeting agenda with the youth, family, and other members of the CFT team.

• Schedule meetings at a place/time/date that is accommodating (comfortable and convenient) to the youth and family and available to all members.

• Prepare visual aids or tools to facilitate the meeting process.

• Contact members who are unable to attend a meeting, in advance, to elicit their input.

• Develop and keep updated the Cross-System Care Plan (CSCP) with the assistance of the members of the CFT, as well as scores from the CANS.

• Ensure all members receive an updated copy of the care plan, documentation of progress, meeting activities, discussions and task assignments within 7 days after the meeting.

3. Support implementation of CSCP plans. Update and modify CSCP as needed.

4. Monitor and evaluate services provided to the families. Contact families as needed to monitor progress and inquire about new needs.

5. Manage caseload in accordance with agency guidelines, risk assessment and management, and assessment of measurable progress toward identified and agreed upon goals and objectives.

6. Meet agency’s productivity standards for direct service hours.

7. Maintain client records and all other required documentation related to the WISe Cross System Care plan as well as the objectives/interventions assigned to the FSS in the child’s Care Plan (written by the WISe Clinician) in a timely manner, in accordance with agency policies and procedures.

8. Participate in required staff meetings, including regular supervision and weekly clinical staff meetings.

9. Requires travel to see clients in the community and travel between work sites.

10. Other duties as assigned by agency or supervisor

QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WILL HAVE:

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, counseling, social work or related field from accredited college or university.

• Must apply for a Counselor Agency Affiliated – Registered credential from the WA State Department of Health within 30 days of hire.

• The FSS must complete a state supported WISe training module or its equivalent within 30 days of hire.

• The FSS must complete and be able to administer the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Training within 30 days of hire.

• Must have an unrestricted and valid driver’s license, active car insurance and must be willing to use their personal vehicle in the course of work. 

PREFERRED:

• Two years of experience working with psychiatrically impaired populations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of Washington Administrative Codes and statutes pertaining to the treatment and delivery of mental health services.

• Ability to communicate and engage effectively with individuals of varied, backgrounds, trauma experiences, cultures, education level and socio-economical status.

• Ability to evaluate situations and adopt an effective course of action, to delegate responsibilities as necessary and appropriate, organize and present facts effectively.

• Ability to establish working relationships with clinical, administrative, and support staff in order to develop professionalism and coordination within the team.

• Able to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with partner agencies, consumers, family members and the public.

• Ability to effectively communicate with staff, youth, family members, administration and the community, both in person and on the telephone.

• Ability to maintain strictest confidentiality guidelines for interactions regarding consumer and family information.

• Ability to work well under pressure meeting deadlines with efficiency and consistency while maintaining a balance between good physical and mental health and the job requirements.

PHYSICAL, SENSORY & ENVIRONMENTAL:

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position provided client services in-office and within the community at large on a occasional to frequent basis. Community settings include but are not limited to residences, group/congregate living settings, hospitals, shelters, the streets or anywhere in the community at large. Some environments may not be ideal in terms of cleanliness or being habitable.

• Occasional frequent travel between locations is required.

• The ability to drive a vehicle, traverse distances up to several city blocks and on various terrains, navigate stairs, get in and out of vehicles frequently is required.

• Daily use of a computer is required.

• May be required to lift 10 - 20 pounds. 

• Blood-borne Pathogen Category III - No predictable exposure to blood-borne pathogens.

PAY RANGE (Hourly/ Non-Exempt): $25.89-$31.53

•  All pay is based on longevity at Frontier Behavioral Health; thus the starting pay is $25.89 per hour.

Our Benefits and Perks are Amazing!

​WE BELIEVE IN WORK LIFE BALANCE:

• Paid Time Off – Employees accrue up to 26 days of PTO in the first year of employment!

• Plus 9 Paid Federal Holidays!

• Sick Leave – Extended Sick Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Time.

• Some positions qualify for a Compressed Workweek option resulting in up to additional 26 days off per year.

BENEFITS: www.fbhwa.org/careers/benefits 

• Medical, Dental and Vision

• Retirement – We offer an impressive 403b plan including standard 3% employer contribution plus an additional 3% employer match.

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Life Insurance – Company paid coverage that starts the first of the month following 6 months from your date of hire.

PERKS:www.fbhwa.org/careers/perks

• Signing Bonus!

• No-cost licensure supervision for those pursuing clinical licensure.

• Federal and State Loan Forgiveness Program for qualifying Programs.

• Reimbursement of License/Certification application fee that is required for the position.

• Free Employee Assistance Program

• Staff Discounts at various FBH partners throughout Spokane!

Benefits described above are based on employees who hold .5 FTE positions or greater and/or some benefits vary based on FTE. PRN positions are not benefit eligible or eligible for a sign on bonus.