The Community Connector position will have flexibility to extend services to people throughout the community. Facilitate and support people as community-facing staff committed to grassroots outreach. Coordinate with DMH Site Directors, area service providers, and community members to ensure outreach and community group locations are as accessible as possible according to local need. Ensure that groups are located as close to public transportation as possible. Maintain a list/directory of resources available for each community in the RLC area; encourage peers to become involved in existing social activities and supports in their community. Assist with the operation of peer-operated Recovery Learning Community (RLC) setting(s) in which people with lived experience of mental health conditions choose to join as participants and work collaboratively on their recovery goals along with their peers.

• Participate as member of intervention team for assigned PS. Deliver interventions identified on the Treatment Plan targeted at skills building in life domains including but not limited to activities of daily living, medication administration, symptom reduction, health and wellbeing, employment, school, socialization and recreation and with supervision from clinically licensed Team members.
• Help PS identify wanted community-based resources; promote, facilitate and support PS participation in mainstream opportunities, social supports, contacts, community resources and natural supports within and outside the mental health system (e.g., volunteer and work opportunities, activities with family and friends, virtual social networks, church groups, civic organizations, hobby groups, coffee shops and DMH Clubhouses, etc.).
• Provide training and guidance to staff on fostering Community Integration practices using resources including Temple University’s Collaborative on Community Inclusion.
• Help PS acquire needed benefits and entitlements, including those for cash and financial assistance, childcare, education, employment, job training, energy assistance, food programs, health care, legal assistance and transportation.
• Provide training and guidance to staff as needed on benefits and entitlements available to PS. Train to the use of the Massachusetts-based website http://www.massresources.org. Develop, maintain and revise Community Resource Book for use by all staff.
• Provide interventions to support PS in preparing for, seeking and maintaining employment and/or educational status (in collaboration with Employment Coordinator in FY 2019).
• Help PS with self-management of symptoms through the use of Safety Plans and medication education as needed
• Employ trauma informed, recovery-oriented, person-centered, culturally competent and strengths-based approaches and skills training techniques in the work.
• Provide competency-based clinical evidence-based practices and best practices to PS living independently and in GLEs/SIEs, including Motivational Interviewing; Harm Reduction and Addiction Treatment; Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT); Housing First; Stages of Change; Seeking Safety, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), and Cognitive Behavioral interventions, as well as the development of Safety Plans and Crisis Prevention and Response Plans, 
and 8 Dimensions of Wellness.
• Perform evidenced-based clinical and recovery-oriented interventions for PS, including Motivational Interviewing; Harm Reduction and Addiction Treatment support; Screening; Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT); Housing First; Stages of Change; Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP); Seeking Safety and Cognitive Behavioral interventions.
• Promote engagement, housing permanency, community tenure, achievement of greater self-sufficiency and successful completion of service for all PS.
• Provide thorough and thoughtful documentation of PS needs and services.
• Promote healthcare services access for PS.
• Participate as member of Community Connector Community of Practice Workgroup led Director of Rehabilitation for continuous professional role competency development, mentoring and learning.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills:
• Strong commitment to the right and ability of people served by ACCS to live, work, have meaningful relationships and receive the clinical treatment, resources and supports needed to thrive in their community of choice
• Strong commitment to the right and ability of people served by ACCS to live, work, have meaningful relationships and receive the clinical treatment, resources and supports needed to thrive in their community of choice 
• Skill in helping people integrate into the community through use of natural supports and basic community resources
• Knowledge of PS engagement strategies
• Knowledge of community inclusion principles and practices, benefits and entitlement resource
• Ability to form supportive, trusting relationships with PS
• Sensitivity to the cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender issues of PS
• Knowledge of human, legal, and civil rights of PS
• Knowledge of the effects of prejudice (including internalized negative attitudes about oneself), discrimination, and oppression of people with psychiatric disorders, and the effects of poverty
• Knowledge and use of different communication and learning styles
• Ability to make independent judgments and decisions
• Ability to work in a professional and confidential capacity
• Knowledge of assessment skills and practice
• Knowledge of recovery-oriented, person-centered and strengths-based values and principles
• Knowledge of trauma-informed and culturally competent services. Sensitivity to the cultural, religious, ethnic, disability and gender issues of PS
• Ability to adhere to the standards of Motivational Interviewing; Harm Reduction; Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral and Treatment (SBIRT); Housing First; Stages of Change; and Cognitive Behavioral interventions 
• Skills and competence to provide interventions for effective Treatment Plan interventions 
• Ability to collaborate effectively with other Team members to address the needs of PS in the Treatment Plan
• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment
• Knowledge of documentation standards and requirements

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:
• Personal, first-hand experience (not just having a friend or family member) being a recipient of the mental health system, which encompasses experiences such as psychiatric inpatient hospitalization, outpatient services/therapy, experience with psychiatric medications, and/or participating in mental health groups in the community. While a formal mental health diagnosis is not required, your involvement with mental health services must be related to your 
experience with mental health, emotional health and/or trauma resulting in significant life disruption. 
• Preference given to bi- lingual/bi-cultural applicants.

Preferred /Required Education:
A high school diploma or equivalent is required. In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.

Driving Requirements:
May be called on to drive for Vinfen using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. 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 one year and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check. If driving, must maintain a safe driving record, which is subject to annual checks. If using a personal vehicle, must possess and maintain adequate insurance.

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 remain in a stationary position 50% of the time as needed.

Required Certifications:
• CPR required within two weeks of hire.
• First Aid required within two weeks of hire.
• CPSS is required