I am now a "family partner" for families with kids in the mental health system.This is a brand new position with a local non-profit, and it will really be up to me to define my role. So far, I really only have one family assigned to me. I have been able to be of very practical support; in addition to a sympathetic ear, I have been able to give the Mom rides to visit her child (in a short-term hospitalization), get her some bus tickets, and things like that. I anticipate adding a couple families a week to my caseload, until I feel like I have all I can handle. I can attend team meetings and IEPs as a support person, I have a thick binder with resources I can share. My agency is famous for having small caseloads, so I anticipate being nearly unlimited in how much time I can offer my families.
So, tell me, what would you want a family partner to do? What unmet needs are not in the realm of some other professional? Or would you rather not have yet another do-gooder social worker in your business?
So, tell me, what would you want a family partner to do? What unmet needs are not in the realm of some other professional? Or would you rather not have yet another do-gooder social worker in your business?
