Community Care Responder

Location: Division of Community Care, Northampton, MA 01060
Department: Health & Human Services Department
Job Status: Full-Time Shift: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Days Worked: Mon., Tue., Wed., Thu., Fri.
Rate of Pay: $20.69 - $27.17 

DEFINITION: Community Responders will work in pairs of two, responding to calls by direct request and by referral from partnering organizations and Dispatch, to provide on-the-ground emotional support, de-escalation, conflict resolution, collaborative problem solving, advocacy and referrals for the community. May provide transportation to Division of Community Care (DCC) community space for individuals to get necessary services.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Respond to calls or provide community outreach, basic medical or situational support. Respond in person to requests for assistance that do not require police, paramedic, medical response or transport utilizing trauma informed, person-centered response to crisis response and harm reduction. Needs may include those navigating substance use or conflicts, experiencing emotional distress, houselessness, difficulty meeting basic needs, those in need of first aid, and other related situations Help to mediate and problem solve with community members around topics including shared space, concern for others, and community agreements.

Provide follow up planning to ensure short term or long term agreements during difficult situations in a variety of settings that establish resolutions in the moment of an emergency or future needs. Initiate supportive follow-up to connect community members who have received emergency services in real time or on going with medical, non-clinical and clinical services as requested.

Help to build confidence and trust with community members in need, offer additional resources, community connections and support services that are culturally relevant, focused on the social determinants of health. Respond to daily requests in a timely manner, demonstrating effective communication and time management. Consult with leadership as needed to assist in risk assessment, need for additional response and coordination of care of complex cases.

Maintain and aggregate data to ensure that programs are equitably serving People of Color, LGBTQ+ and those often excluded from services. Utilize ethical principles of data collection, analysis and reporting to ensure that at every state in the life of the data it is being used to advance equity rather than further stigmatize marginalized social identity groups; use data in accordance with HIPAA compliance. Participate in various community conversations to address harm reduction, racial equity, structural racism and other forms of bias and stigma related to mental illness, substance use disorders, homelessness and poverty.

Complete all required training by the Division of Community Care and keep current by attending continued education in those subjects identified by the Director. Examples are currently Trauma-informed practices, racially and culturally-informed practices, Peer Non-Clinical and Clinical Crisis Response and Support Model; Collaborative Problem-Solving, Harm Reduction Practices, Emergency Medical Response Training. Determine appropriate community member care assessment, triage and/or determine the correct level of care needs strategies.

Assist in services navigation or facilitate urgent/emergency elevated care when needed coordination with Police, EMS/Fire Department directly or with dispatchers utilizing mutual aid protocols. Performs similar or related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Qualifications - High School degree or GED required, and one or more years of demonstrated experience in crisis or peer support practices, any equivalent combination of education and experience, required.

Preferred: Knowledge and direct experience of local resources for mental health, clinical and non-clinical resources, systems of care for complex and co-occurring conditions, substance use, peer support and harm reduction, houselessness and or other services. Bilingual English/Spanish is highly preferred. Class D Driver's License preferred.

*Applicants with non-traditional working experiences please list in detail years of experience, context, and references.

Knowledge, Ability & Skill:
Knowledge of and strong dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion across race, ethnicity, gender expression, sexual orientation, class and disability, demonstrated through academic, employment, and life experience. Knowledge and direct experience of local resources for mental health, substance use, peer support and harm reduction, houselessness and/or other services.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public health, social determinants of health, risk factors impacting people's health, outreach, and emergency response programmatic administration Knowledge of values of trauma informed and consent-based practices in communicating with diverse communities Abilities: Ability to listen, learn and work respectfully and collaboratively with people who have social identities different from your own Proficient computer skills including proficiency with use of mouse, email, Microsoft Office applications and databases, and the Google Office Suite. Skills: Exceptional partnering and team-work skills; ability to engage with integrity, transparency and accountability.

*The Community Care Responder Team will be a multidisciplinary combination of working and background or lived experienced staff - all applicants are encouraged to apply.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Physical Skills: The work involves physical skills typical of community-based work, including sitting, standing, walking, climbing stairs, traveling, in vehicles, and stooping. May be required to lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds, and may require stretching, reaching and lifting to retrieve items including medical supplies and personal belongings. Motor Skills: The work may require motor skills for activities such as moving objects, using office equipment, including but not limited to telephones, personal computers, handheld technology, and other office equipment.

Visual Skills: Essential position functions require the ability to review documents for general understanding and analytical purposes, the ability to adjust focus to view small print, depth perception, and color vision.

MISC. INFORMATION The Community Care Responder is a full-time 40 hour per week position.

There are multiple positions available. Full Benefits consistent with Non-Represented employees. *The Community Care Responder Team will be a multidisciplinary combination of working and background or lived experienced staff - all applicants are encouraged to apply.

To View Our FAQ, Visit: https://www.northamptondcc.org/staff