Family Support Services Manager - Middlesex Sheriff’s Office

• Supervising civilian and sworn staff assigned to the Family Support Services Unit (FSSU);
• Facilitating timely and appropriate responses to family members who contact the MSO;
• Providing family members with general information about institutional programs and services available to incarcerated individuals;
• Educating family members about rules and policies regarding visits, mail and telephone contact, canteen accounts, and other routine information;       
• Clarifying MSO policies and procedures for family members;                                                         
• Working collaboratively with correctional staff to investigate claims made by families; analyzing circumstances surrounding claims; helping to determine appropriate situational responses; and acting as a liaison throughout the information-gathering process;
• Collaborating with command staff, MSO employees, community organizations, and families to improve processes for addressing family claims;         
• Recommending solutions to command staff to remedy situations, including changes to institutional policies and procedures;
• Fielding information from correctional staff and conducting proactive outreach to families when incarcerated individuals are identified as being in distress or experiencing a crisis;
• Collaborating with correctional staff to develop and enhance existing awareness practices for suicide prevention;
• Raising awareness with family members about the advance signs of suicide;
• Ensuring that family members are familiar with institutional avenues to report risk factors for suicide or self-harm;
• Referring family members to appropriate external programs and services that offer assistance to families during the incarceration period;
• Developing and managing initiatives that promote pro-social bonding, foster support networks, and strengthen relationships between incarcerated individuals and families;
• Facilitating the review process for family contact visits including, but not limited to, gathering information from the parties, consulting with relevant MSO staff, and presenting formal recommendations to the Assistant Superintendent of Program Services;
• Overseeing family intake/assessment processes designed to gather information about the needs and dynamics of families;
• Collaborating with Caseworkers to review and process marriage requests;
• Overseeing parenting programs as well as family-focused treatment activities at both the facility and in the community; Working with correctional staff and families to develop collaborative re-entry plans that lead to positive family reunification and favorable outcomes for incarcerated individuals and families alike;   
• Organizing and overseeing community events that target families with resources, assistance, and support services;         
• Working with DCF, DYS, and other state and local agencies to assist incarcerated individuals and their families;                                                                                  
• Apprizing command staff of significant trends relative to family contact and engagement;
• Managing and maintaining family contact data and providing periodic reports to the Superintendent;
• Performing other work as required by Management.

• Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice, sociology, psychology or a related human services field; 
• Master’s Degree in criminal justice, social work, public health or public administration is preferred; 
• Strong customer service skills and able to solve problems and deescalate situations in a timely manner;
• Superb conflict resolution and diplomacy skills;
• Strong research and analytical skills;
• Exceptional phone etiquette and active listening skills;
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
• Must be able to work independently in a fast-paced environment, be customer service oriented, able to handle a large volume of work and pay close attention to detail;
• Strong oral, written, organizational and time management skills with the ability to maintain comprehensive and cohesive records;

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