Mental Health Advocate

Mental Health Advocate

Job Title: Mental Health Advocate

Department: Campus Programs

Reports To: Assistant Director of Campus Programs

Beginning Pay Range: $40,560.00 - $48,264.00 Classification: Full Time Salaried
- Exempt

D.A. Blodgett
- St. John’s provides a continuum of care with comprehensive services, including counseling, foster care, adoption, mentoring and residential care. These programs are built on our core belief, backed by research, that as long as children can be safe, they do best when they are with their families. D.A. Blodgett‑ St. John’s primarily serves children, youth and families in the greater Grand Rapids area, and some programming throughout the State of Michigan.

D.A. Blodgett‑ St. John’s is dedicated to providing an inclusive and welcoming experience for all children, all families and all individuals.

To help children and empower families by providing safety, advocacy, and support.

A safe, nurturing home for every child, a supportive community for every family.

• Exceptional Service:
  Client-focused and teaming at the center of our work.
• Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion:
  All are welcomed, valued, and belong.
• Excellence:
  Ongoing commitment to learning and improvement.
• Integrity:
  Responsibility and ownership of our actions and results.
• Creativity:
  Imagination, innovation, and intelligent risk taking.
• Passion:
  Relentless positive energy toward our mission and vision

• Nonviolence:
  Maintaining safety for all members of the community.
• Emotional Intelligence:
  Managing emotions so we don't hurt ourselves or others.
• Social Learning:
  Together we accomplish more, we care for one another.
• Democracy:
  Everyone has a voice, not necessarily a vote.
• Open Communication:
  Respecting and sharing ideas of our team.
• Social Responsibility:
  Say what you mean, don't be mean when you say it.
• Growth & Change:
  Creating hope for ourselves and the people we serve.

The Mental Health Advocate works as part of a collaborative team to provide mental health psycho education and support to youth in both individual and group settings. This role serves as a key coordinator between Campus Programs and the Family Preservation Division. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Campus Programs, the Advocate develops trauma informed, individualized, and developmentally appropriate support plans that align with the goals of D.A. Blodgett‑St.

John’s Campus Programs division.

The Advocate contributes to written reports and case documentation, maintains clear and consistent communication with all parties involved, and may represent the agency in court hearings, meetings, and other activities related to assigned youth. Additionally, the Advocate supports aftercare services for residential youth as outlined in program contracts.

• Participate in the intake process for youth referred to Campus Programs.
• Provide weekly check-ins aligning with the mental, physical, cognitive and behavioral needs of the youth supported.
• Develop Service Plans for assigned cases for residential youth.
• Create and monitor safety plans, precautions and/or behavioral/mental health plans devised for a youth.
• Ensure that each youth on campus is engaged with supportive family members, community supporters, friends, and/or mentors. Advocates for youth and family needs at an organizational and program level.
• Collaborate with campus clinician(s) to ensure consistency in therapeutic support for youth in milieu and programming.
• Maintain regular and consistent communication with the referring and/or supervising caseworker of the assigned case.
• Acts as a cultural bridge between youth, families and community groups from different backgrounds.
• Provide regular updates on youth progress and challenges for psychiatric evaluations and medication reviews for assigned cases.
• Work flexible hours to meet the needs of the youth and families' schedules.
• Participate, in Family Team Meetings, Court Hearings, Case Conferences, Individualized Education Plan meetings, and other youth related meetings.
• Complete all written reporting and correspondence in a timely, concise and professional manner.
• Participate in team…