The Transition to Independence (TIP) program provides coaching and facilitation to transitional age youth and young adults (YYA) in meeting their life goals. The TIP TF provides support for 10-15 YYAs using mentoring, teaching skills, contingency contracting, counseling, and problem solving to maximize the likelihood of success for each YYA served. The TF develops and monitors in partnership with the YYA a person-centered plan and goal setting process. The Facilitator helps each YYA recognize that life situations provide both successes and challenges that provide the YYA with valuable experiences and opportunities to learn. The TF assists the YYA in identifying that the integration of family members, friends or school personnel (for YYA under 18 or in college); and other relevant natural supports are powerful linkages in this process.

SIGN ON BONUS: $2K

• Conducts strength-based needs assessments via the Strength Discovery Assessment process, related to the transition domains as specified in the TIP System Development and Operations Manual – Employment & Career, Educational Opportunities, Living Situation, Personal Effectiveness & Wellbeing and Community Life Functioning.

• Coaches and supports 12 -15 YYA as they progress through their levels of TIP support: active status, maintenance status, and follow-along status.

• Delivers evidence informed/based practices as supported by TIP Program Director and the Area Clinical Director.

• Participates in activities sponsored by the program or by an Access Center in support of the YYAs’ having fun, participating in advocacy or obtaining skills and knowledge.

• Collects and records data relevant to the progress of YYA across their goals during each of the active, maintenance, and follow-along statuses.

• Facilitates each YYAs’ person-centered planning and development of his/her individualized TIP Core Competency Plan.

• When the YYA is in high school, works collaboratively with the teachers and school guidance counselors in developing a person–centered plan in conjunction with each student and attends IEP meetings as an advocate for the YYA.

• Develops prevention (risk/crisis) plans (What’s Up) as backup support for those YYA who require them. 

• Collaborates with others service practitioners and educators from children’s mental health, education, adult mental health, child welfare, and rehabilitation as needed to ensure appropriate services for each YYA served.

• Conducts, arranges, or brokers the necessary services and supports for each YYA in accordance with the person-centered TIP Core Competency Plan.

• Promotes parent involvement and other key players in planning services and supports for each YYA as appropriate.

• Interfaces with adult mental health case managers to ensure continuity of age-appropriate services for individuals as they approach 18 years of age and older.

• Helps the YYA identify obstacles to living independently, obtaining employment, obtaining post-secondary education, and in developing supportive social and recreational activities.

• Develops strategies to overcome identified barriers.

• Assumes responsibility for the implementation of strategies developed to assist YYA in overcoming obstacles. Collaborates with relevant public and private agencies to achieve the implementation of agreed upon (YYA and Facilitator) strategies.

• Develops interagency and community network relationships which improve access to relevant community services and benefits.

• Refers YYA to appropriate clinical, medical, and behavioral specialists, as requested.

• Charts and records all contacts and services rendered in accordance with Vinfen standards, and any applicable funding or regulatory agency standards. Maintains transition records on each YYA.

• Helps YYA in acquiring access to community settings and resources (e.g. employment, housing, social security benefits).

• Manages program resources in accordance with agency regulations.

• Works flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.

• Provides on-call on a rotating basis for the YYA enrolled in the service.

• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Sensitivity, understanding and knowledge of cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender issues

• Understanding of engagement strategies that are effective with YYA

• Demonstrated competency in evidence informed practices/techniques/modalities, as required

• Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques

• Knowledge and use of different communication styles

• Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with YYA

• Respect for YYA rights and personal preferences in the design of support plan

• Knowledge of human, legal, civil rights, community, and other resources

• Knowledge of the use of formal and informal assessment tools and practices

• Ability to work independently as well as part of a multi-disciplinary team

• Skills and competence to use crisis intervention techniques

• Strong commitment to the right and ability of program clients to live, work and seek supports as the general population at large

• Knowledge or ability to obtain such in the areas of counseling, motivation interviewing, and teaching modalities

• Knowledge of home, school, and field-based service delivery

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,200 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in 318 programs throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit www.vinfen.org/careers

My Vinfen. My Community. My Job.

Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Typical Requirements:

A minimum of 2 years’ experience working in an educational, social service, juvenile justice, and/or mental health settings in which the person provided counseling, training, therapy, and/or guidance to YYA and their families (with a Bachelor’s degree) or a minimum of 1 year experience in the above noted areas (with a Master’s degree). One year working in a strengths-based model serving YYA in the role of Facilitator. Preference will be given to those who have experience in working with YYA with emotional/behavioral dysregulation or psychiatric illness.

Preferred /Required Education:

A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Bachelor’s degree preferred (although substantial experience may be substituted for education) in the social sciences, rehabilitation, and/or education fields (e.g. special education, psychology, social work).

Driving Requirements:

Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver’s license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver’s license for at least six months, and must be able to pass a driver’s screening background check.

Physical Effort:

Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position. Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer. Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways. Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living. Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Required Certifications:

CPR required within two weeks of hire

First Aid required within two weeks of hire

New Employee Training

TIP Model Core Competency Training with 1 month of hire

Required Credentials/Licenses:

N/R