PPAL values those who have direct lived experience raising a child with significant mental and behavioral health challenges and gives hiring preference to individuals who have this direct lived experience.
Parent/Professional Advocacy League is a small but impactful nonprofit organization working to make things better for children with emotional, behavioral and mental health needs and their families. Based in Waltham and Worcester, PPAL works with families across the state who need help navigating services in behavioral health, juvenile justice and education. We work in close partnership with other community and state agencies with the goals of supporting families, nurturing parent leaders and improving systems.
Family Support Coordinator – Worcester
The Family Support Coordinator is a full time position based in the Worcester office. The FSC will work with the Program Manager to organize and oversee family support staff and activities, organize workshops and other events and represent PPAL at various meetings.
The Family Support Coordinator must have the experience gained by raising a child or youth with emotional, behavioral or mental health needs.
Duties:
- 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
- Supervise and provide oversight for family support specialists
- Support the orientation and professional development of family support specialists
- Train staff on support group facilitation and facilitate groups when needed
- Assist with focus groups, needs assessment and data collection when needed
- Participate in development and production of reports on family support on quantitative and qualitative data
- Assist with community events, activities and outreach
- Assist in day to day office management.
- Contribute to PPAL monthly newsletter
- Attend PPAL staff meetings & trainings
- Assist with special projects, as needed.
Qualifications:
- Experience as parent support group leader preferred
- Experienced advocate (3-5 years) with the children’s mental health system and other child-serving systems.
- Significant experience in developing and/or delivering trainings and workshops
- Ability to relate to diverse groups of parents, professionals and policymakers
- Excellent organizational and communication skills.
- Excellent writing and editing skills
- Ability to work in a demanding environment and the flexibility to adapt to frequent changes in priorities and daily activities
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Ability to work collaboratively with a wide variety of people in complex situations
- Ability to travel throughout the state (after COVID restrictions lift), maintain a flexible schedule, some evenings/weekends
- Must have a strong desire to support PPAL’s mission of improving the mental health and wellbeing of children and families. Must have access to car- some driving required.
- Expected start date: June 1, 2021
- This is a full time position, 40 hours per week, at $19-20/hour.
Send cover letter and resume to info@ppal.net to apply
PPAL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Personnel are chosen on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.