MFT Advocate

Position Summary

The MiFamily Together (MFT) Advocate is responsible for adhering to the MFT philosophy, values, beliefs, and contract requirements while offering responsive, flexible services that meet families where they are. MFT fosters meaningful engagement and provides tailored support to help families thrive at any level of need. The MFT Advocate is responsible for delivering in-home services for up to 180 days, with approved extensions up to 270 days total. This position will serve Ottawa County. 

Michigan’s Children’s Service Administration believes that children should live with their families whenever possible, and MFT will support the department’s goal to reduce the number of children who experience out-of-home care and the associated trauma of being removed from their family. MFT seeks to support the safety and wellbeing of these families such that risk to the child(ren) is reduced.

Wage: Up to $47,715.20 annually; $22.94/hour based on relevant work experience.

Are you passionate about discovering new ways to help empower people and make a difference in their lives?

If you’ve got what it takes to support us in our mission to provide help and create hope through innovative, collaborative, and diverse programs within the community, then we’ve got the right opportunity for you.

About Catholic Charities West Michigan

Catholic Charities West Michigan (CCWM) is a community-based agency providing programs in Western Michigan and offering a variety of services in family preservation, behavioral health, child welfare, and community outreach.

• CCWM is committed to ensuring a diverse workforce and a work environment whereby all staff are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness.
• CCWM encourages persons of diverse backgrounds and faiths to apply for employment.

Essentials Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides services in accordance with the MFT contract requirements.
• Delivers in-home services for up to 180 days, with approved extensions up to 270 days total.
• Maintains face-to-face contact with families in accordance with the contract defined frequency and based on individual needs.
• Completes all required MDHHS and MFT documentation within established timeframes.
• Engages family members using Motivational Interviewing to build rapport and assess strengths, needs, culture, and values.
• Conducts assessments with each family to gain a better understanding of prevention goals for each family member.
• Provides and assists families in accessing concrete supports and resources, including housing, transportation, employment, education, benefits, and other needs.
• Provides direct services to help the family strengthen protective factors and increase family well-being via practicing within the Two-Generation (2Gen) framework and attain goals outlined in the Prevention Plan Reports.
• Creates proactive and reactive safety plans to address risk factors.
• Teaches and model life-skills, household management, parenting skills, and community resource navigation.
• Makes appropriate referrals for caregivers and children to additional services and collaborate with all service providers involved with the family, as well as the referring case manager, to support the family in achieving identified goals.
• Flexible work schedules must be maintained to ensure appointments are scheduled based on families’ needs and to allow for timely crisis intervention.
• Attends court hearings and provide testimony at the request of the family, MDHHS or Placement agency Foster Care (PAFC) referring case manager.
• Attends training and meetings as required by MDHHS and Agency.
• Completes, and/or attempts to complete, face-to-face follow-up visits with each family served at three- and six-months following closure of the case to review sustained goal achievement and case closure safety planning and to assess if there is any further assistance needed to support maintaining the child in the home safely.
• Transports clients utilizing personal vehicle, as needed.
• Drives for agency business.
• All other duties as assigned per supervisor’s request.

Physical Demands:

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

While performing the duties of this position, the staff member is regularly required to talk and/or hear. The staff member is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The staff member, on occasion, may be asked to move or lift items up to 40 pounds in weight.

Work Environment:

This position is primarily office based, however, on occasion may require travel to other Agency offices as required by position responsibilities and/or agency management. This position will be routinely exposed to typical office noise levels and/or exposure to various weather conditions.

The qualifications listed above are guidelines for selection purposes; alternative qualifications may be substituted if sufficient to perform the duties of the job.

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the 2Gen Framework and Motivational Interviewing techniques.
• Knowledge and skills necessary to provide services appropriate to families and children 0-18.
• Knowledge and skills in substance abuse and mental health disorders.
• Knowledge of the MFT philosophy and intervention strategies.
• Ability to have a non-judgmental positive attitude toward families in crisis.
• Ability to empower families to help them solve their problems.
• Ability to work in partnership with other team members and/or service providers.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences present in the Agency’s service population.
• Ability to forge a mutually respectful partnership with individuals and families in which they are helped to gain skills and confidence in addressing issues and problems.
• This position requires reliable transportation.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and good driving record with zero work restrictions.
• Must have personal auto insurance as required by law with minimum bodily injury coverage limits of $250,000 per person/$500,000 per incident or $500,000 combined. 
• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule based on needs of the clients served. This may include working irregular hours including evenings, holidays, and weekends.
• Participation is required in initial and ongoing training provided MDHHS and Agency.
• Must submit to agency approved background checks.

Recommended Employment Qualifications

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree in any human services or education field is required or;
• An associate’s degree or equivalent in any human services or education field with 2 years of prior work experience working with children and/or families and actively pursuing a bachelor’s degree to be obtained within 6 months of hire.

Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in any human services or education field is required or;
• An associate’s degree or equivalent in any human services or education field with 2 years of prior work experience working with children and/or families and actively pursuing a bachelor’s degree to be obtained within 6 months of hire.

Professional Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:

none required.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Our Mission

Inspired by the Church's social teachings, Catholic Charities West Michigan fosters individuals and families to flourish by providing help and creating hope.

Our Vision

Catholic Charities West Michigan is called to create a just and compassionate community where all people can achieve their divine purpose.

Our Values

• Sanctity of All Life
• Compassion
• Integrity
• Respect
• Equity

CCWM is an equal opportunity employer, subject to all federal and state laws as applicable to a religious Agency.