United Mental Health Promoter

About PLN

Founded on Skid Row in 1980, Para Los Niños provides education and wraparound support, serving over 10,000 children, youth, and families annually in some of the most underserved areas in Los Angeles. PLN fosters pathways to success by striving for excellence in education, family support, and comprehensive social-emotional, and community-based services.

Through early education, TK-8th grade education, youth workforce services, and family and community services Para Los Niño’s’ model provides a comprehensive, holistic approach to break the cycle of poverty and help children and youth thrive.

Position Overview

The United Mental Health Promoter (UMHP) will have the primary function of engaging the Transitional Aged Youth (SPA 4) or the Unhoused (SPA 6) community in activities that may include outreach and engagement, individual and community advocacy, facilitating groups, case management, referral and linkage, and collaboration with internal and external systems within DMH, and other County Departments, community partners. This position will require local travel.

Duties

• Plan and execute non-traditional activities/events addressing community-defined needs.
• Promote education through in person and/or virtual classes, trainings, and workshops.
• Focus on community psychoeducation and support for mental health, coping skills, health, nutrition, financial literacy, and career development.
• Organize trauma-informed activities like art and dance, drumming circles, animal therapy, mindfulness, healing gardening, and mindful walking.
• Facilitate leadership development, empowerment, and advocacy activities, including coalition building, community organizing, civic participation, and voting rights.
• Support community-led groups and capacity building.
• Creates and maintains a respectful and trustful relationship with all stakeholders involved in the project.
• Assists with the design and dissemination of culturally appropriate materials and resources for program activities.
• Conduct trainings/information events to support recovery related to COVID-19 and other disasters.
• Work in collaboration with other UMHP’s, project staff, and key partners to increase awareness of community needs and ensure referrals are made to social support resources and services including mental health referrals when necessary.
• Participate in all required and mandatory DMH and program trainings.
• Engage and provide information to community residents, partners, and community agencies about the project at community fairs, events and other outreach activities.
• Act as a liaison on behalf of community members to follow-up with health management/care plans and providers.
• Assist community members in understanding and navigating social assistance programs and resources.
• Help community members utilize resources, including scheduling appointments, and assisting with completion of applications for programs for which they may be eligible.
• Experience implementing a trauma informed & community centered approach.
• Continuously expand knowledge and understanding of community resources, services and programs provided; human relations and the procedures used in dealing with the public as part of a service or program; resources and the practices available to handle new, unusual or different situations.
• Document activities, service plans, and results in an effective manner while strictly adhering to policy and procedure.
• Other duties as assigned and deemed appropriate by the Supervising United Mental Health Promoter and/or the Mental Health Clinical Supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements

• Lived Experience: Has learned from challenges and mentors; willing to learn from others and create and engage with others. Life experience reflecting familiarity with systemic racism, the cultural practices and other experiences of the community in which they work.
• Computer proficient (Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint, Quicken, Internet Explorer, Outlook and other basic data management software).
• Strong experience working with the Latino Community, experience working with African American and/or Asian Pacific Islander Communities preferred.
• Flexible approach to Problem-Solving.
• Strong written and verbal communication skill in English (required) and Spanish (preferred)
• Experience working in a multicultural setting and sensitive to multicultural issues preferred.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, which will include occasional evenings and/or weekend.

Education and Certification Requirements

• Successfully pass all post offer, pre-employment screening requirements, including criminal background check, drug test and provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
• Formal Education and/or Trainings/Certifications a plus.

Other Requirements

• Must have reliable transportation and State required automobile insurance coverage and valid Class C California driver’s license (mileage to be reimbursed).
• This is a field position and not eligible for remote work.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Approximately 50 percent of time is spent sitting.
• Employee may be required to walk, stand, lift, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl or bend while performing some of the duties of this job.
• Must be able to speak and hear well.
• Good vision is imperative.
• Employee will be required to lift and/or move unassisted up to 50 pounds.

Expectations for All Para Los Niños Staff

Candidates for employment at Para Los Niños, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following:

• Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Niños.
• Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families.
• Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues.
• Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development.
• Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team.
• Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition.
• Belief in and ability to develop respectful relationship with parents and children marked by sensitivity to the students’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.
• Comfort with basic Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push own adoption of new technology and approaches.
• Regular, punctual attendance and professional appearance.

Para Los Niños is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

It is the established policy of Para Los Niños (PLN) to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief (including dress or grooming practices), color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breast feeding), age, national origin (including possessing a driver’s license issued under Vehicle Code § 12801.9), ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. PLN also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.