Regional Community Health Advocate

The Regional Community Health Advocate supports the Mill Towns Shared Public Health Collaborative which is comprised of the Towns of Ludlow, Palmer, Warren, and West Brookfield Health Departments. The Health Departments are engaged in an innovative initiative to strengthen core local public health services, to advance the recommendations of the 2019 Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health and promote healthier communities across the region.

The Regional Community Health Advocate will be based in the Town of Ludlow’s Health Department. The Regional Community Health Advocate will report to Ludlow’s Health Director and the Ludlow/Mill Towns Shared Public Health Services’ Board, which will be comprised of the Public Health Directors from each participating municipality. The Regional Community Health Advocate will work on a regional basis to ensure coordination, support and delivery of shared resources for the participating health departments and lead efforts to secure resources for ongoing work of the shared service initiative.

This position is funded through the Public Health Excellence Grant Program for Shared Services through MDPH, until June 2027 with possibility of an extension.

• Provide outreach, advocacy, and referral services to all diverse segments of the Mill Towns Coalition population.
• Provide informational services to individuals and families impacted by addiction, substance misuse, and related mental health issues; making appropriate referrals to available local programs.
• Promote community awareness and understanding concerning addictions, substance misuse, and mental health; provide information about available resources and programs that address these issues.
• Facilitate informational meetings, programs, and functions within shared communities related to addiction and mental health issues. Recommend and develop programs and educational events to meet the shared needs of the community.
• Develop rapport with youth, adults, and families to encourage the use of services through workshops, educational events, and one-on-one referrals. Promote and publicize services through a newsletter/bulletin throughout the communities to ensure utilization.
• Refer residents to the appropriate services that can assist with the procurement of support services (examples: fuel assistance, utility assistance, food stamps, the food pantry, childcare, housing, emergency shelter, Social Security disability benefits, transportation, employment, legal resources, health insurance including Mass Health, domestic violence assistance and various support groups).
• Develop, assemble, and update resources for residents to utilize services in times of need.
• Work in close collaboration with crisis intervention professionals and/or the Police/Fire Departments regarding youth, adults, and families identified as needing assistance. Services may include assessment, follow-up, referrals, record keeping, report writing, and document management.
• Make home, facility, and school visits. Assist residents and families in defining needs. Facilitate access to services, make appropriate referrals, and provide information regarding resources available, including mental health counseling, housing, healthcare, home care, transportation, nutrition, financial and legal services available to residents.
• Maintain a daily log of phone calls, activities, written reports, and statistics to curate a monthly report to the Health Director and Mill Towns Shared Public Health Services’ Board on a routine basis.
• Comply with mandated reporting guidelines and procedures and report information to the appropriate protective service agency, i.e., the Department of Children and Families, as necessary.
• Create and attend community events and disseminate information to advocate for mental health and well-being for youth, adults, and families.
• Stay up to date on developments in the industry and field by attending educational conferences, classes, networking, and relationship building.
• Work with other town departments, sometimes as a liaison (examples: Police, Fire, School, Youth Coalitions, Council on Aging, Veteran’s Services, etc.).
• Meet…