CSO is looking for an Outreach Worker for our PACT-Youth team in Pittsfield. 

Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) is an evidence-based intensive outpatient treatment program designed to assist youth overcome the barriers to their recovery from severe and persistent behavioral health disorders. 

The goal of the PACT-Y service is to provide Youth and their Families with a comprehensive range of behavioral health services and supports that ensure the Youth can remain living in their community and prevent the need for out-of-home, residential, and/or hospital levels of care.  For young adults, whether they choose to live with another adult or on their own, the goal of PACT-Y services is to help them establish the full range of supports needed for them to live successfully in the community, including support in transitioning to DMH adult services, if needed.

Outreach staff are Case Managers who provide support services on an outreach basis with the purpose of enhancing the emotional well-being, stability and social functioning of the program consumers. 

Responsibilities

• Provide skills training and assistance in areas of daily living activities including basic living and interactive skills, providing "in vivo" skills training, side by side assistance, vocational and pre-vocational support to clients to include identifying interests and strengths and goals and development of individualized placements. Assis in developing communication and conflict resolution skills. 
• Coordinates and monitors the services and supports for a Youth Served and their Family to ensure that they have a current Treatment Plan that meets the needs of the Youth, the plan is implemented, which includes all mental health services, school-based services and supports, after-school services, camps, and other community-based services.
• Coordinating and ensuring appropriate medical, dental, and vision services are accessed.
• Coordinating with psychiatric and general medical hospitals throughout the inpatient stay of a Youth Served. The PACT-Y Team is expected to be active and engaged during times of transition to other levels of care, including emergency room visits, psychiatric hospitalizations, and general medical hospitalizations.
• Provide other support services to address the needs of the Youth Served and their Family in the areas of medical care, housing, benefits, and transportation.
• Provide support and education to Families and other people who have a significant role in the life of a Youth Served. For emancipated Youth Served or Youth Served who are 18 and older, communication with and involvement of Families and other persons requires authorization from the Youth Served.
• Provide motivational counseling, prompting, and intensive support to consumers during psychiatric crises or periods of transition; monitor and assist clients with personal hygiene and grooming tasks, grocery shopping and meal preparation, and household activities.
• Provide education and support with identifying community resources including appropriate mental health, addiction and medical services, and accessing services of choice.
• Provide care coordination with higher levels of SUD services (such as Recovery High Schools, youth stabilization services, and detox programs, when used); referral to group and peer support services (such as 12-Step programs), detox programs, and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), when needed.
• Provide assistance with developing and maintaining a "natural support network" of family and friends.
• Provide crisis and intervention treatments services as members of mini-treatment team. 
• Assist, train and support clients in locating and maintaining decent and affordable housing, negotiating leases, and obtaining furniture and other necessary fixtures; facilitate cooperative relationships with landlords and housing authority as indicated.
• Act as a member of a mini-treatment team in accordance with treatment goals and planned activities/interventions and effectively communicate with other team members regarding client care. 
• May provide recovery support services including exploring treatment recovery options with consumers, developing a set of goals and objectives in conjunction with the consumer based on identified needs, providing education and resources, and assisting consumers in accessing treatment and community supports.
• Provide transportation for consumers as appropriate, following program guidelines.
• Maintain appropriate contacts with family members, others in the "natural helping network," outpatient therapists, and others as necessary to support consumers.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a behavioral health discipline or related field; Good listening skills; ability to establish trusting relationships through compassion, empathy and insight, and ability to foster self-sufficiency in real-life situations using problem-solving and practical; Excellent oral and written communication skills; computer proficiency. Must be able to work flexible schedule which may include evening and weekend work, as required by client needs. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required.

Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, (English/Spanish speaking.)

Benefits

We provide our employees with competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including full coverage health and dental insurance and ample paid time off (vacation, personal, sick, and holidays). Additionally, we offer a 403B retirement savings plan, an employee referral bonus program, regular in-house training and professional development opportunities with free CEUs, and voluntary supplemental insurances at group rates, including short and long-term disability, cancer, accident and life. We also offer a premier employee assistance program (EAP) and personal cell phone plan discounts. Our work environment is flexible and supportive, with ample opportunities for collaboration within and across departments, programs and locations. 

Our Agency

Clinical & Support Options, Inc. is a behavioral health organization serving individuals and families across Western Massachusetts. From our early days as a child guidance clinic, we have expanded into a full-service behavioral health agency, committed internally to excellence while we collaborate externally with community partners to participate in a comprehensive system of assistance and resources for the residents of our communities. We employ over 650 multi-disciplinary staff, helping thousands of families over the past 50 years. We have community-based office locations throughout Western Massachusetts, including Springfield, Northampton, Greenfield, Orange, Athol, Gardner and Pittsfield.

Our expertise, in a nutshell, is to support people in their progress towards self-sufficiency, no matter what challenges they face on that journey. EOE/AA