Community Care Responder Jobs

NORTHAMPTON PLEASE SEE WEBSITE FOR FULL JOB DESCRIPTION Community Care Responder 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. 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