Adverse Childhood Experience Response Team (ACERT) Specialist

Description

The ACERT Specialist is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference for children and families following stressful, traumatic, or disruptive experiences. As part of Archways' ACERT program, the Specialist builds supportive relationships with families, helps identify strengths and immediate needs, and connects families with resources and supports that can promote stability and well-being.

The ACERT Specialist is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference for children and families following stressful, traumatic, or disruptive experiences. As part of Archways' ACERT program, the Specialist builds supportive relationships with families, helps identify strengths and immediate needs, and connects families with resources and supports that can promote stability and well-being. Working collaboratively with participating police departments, schools, Lakes Region Community Services (LRCS), and other community partners, the ACERT Specialist provides voluntary, family-centered, trauma-informed, and non-investigative support.

This position is well suited for someone who values relationship-based work, enjoys connecting with families and community partners, and is committed to helping families build upon their strengths and make informed choices. The Specialist works within Archways' policies, the established Principles of Family Support, and the collaborative ACERT framework.

• Work collaboratively within each family's existing structure and support family choice while respecting cultural, religious, values-based, and other individual differences.
• Provide trauma-informed guidance, information, referrals, and practical family support in homes and other approved community settings.
• Assist families in maintaining, strengthening, and safeguarding the health, safety, and well-being of their children within the scope of the ACERT program.
• Identify family strengths, concerns, immediate needs, and barriers, and help families build upon their existing strengths and protective factors.
• Document intake contacts and other required ACERT interactions accurately and promptly, including family-identified needs, priorities, goals, and agreed-upon next steps.
• Support families in making informed choices and in identifying practical steps that promote stability following traumatic or disruptive incidents.
• Connect families with appropriate community resources through information, referrals, warm handoffs, and follow-up consistent with family choice and program scope.
• Conduct all work professionally and consistently with trauma-informed practice, the Principles of Family Support, established professional boundaries, and Archways standards of conduct.
• Exercise appropriate initiative and sound judgment in carrying out assigned responsibilities, recognize the limits of the role, and seek supervisory guidance or elevate concerns when needed.
• Maintain complete, accurate, timely, and secure documentation of services provided and participate in required reflective supervision.
• Participate in required ACERT and Archways meetings, approved in-house training, role-specific professional development, and outside conferences when authorized or required.
• Collaborate appropriately with each family's identified support network, participating police departments, schools, and community partners, sharing information only as permitted by consent, law, policy, and program requirements.
• Perform all ACERT responsibilities in accordance with Archways policies and procedures, applicable requirements, confidentiality obligations, and established Family Resource Center practices.
• Perform other related duties as assigned, provided those duties remain consistent with the ACERT appointment, the employee's qualifications and training, Archways responsibilities, and the scope of the LRCS agreement.

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor's degree in human services, social work, psychology, education, family studies, criminal justice, or a related field preferred.
• Relevant experience supporting children and families through family support, education, behavioral health,…