Human Services & Behavioral Health
Human services and behavioral health systems provide essential, integrated support for mental health, substance use, and social well-being. Services include crisis intervention, community-based outpatient therapy, and specialized care for individuals with mental illness. These programs address holistic needs, including emotional, social, and psychological factors, often working with insurers to provide accessible care. This field also includes social care, rehabilitation, and advocacy for vulnerable populations.
Working in human services offers a fulfilling career centered on helping people, advocating for social change, and fostering community well-being. It provides deep personal satisfaction, jobs that are in high demand, diverse, non-routine daily experiences, and the ability to directly improve lives. This field values patience, deep listening, and empathy.
Explore Jobs
in this Industry
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Supports individuals receiving mental health or substance use treatment in outpatient, residential, or community settings.
Responsibilities:
Monitor client safety
Support daily routines and skill-building
Document progress
Assist clinicians with treatment plans
Typical Requirements:
High school diploma or associate degree
CPR/First Aid
Crisis prevention training (CPI often preferred)
Estimated Regional Pay:
$20–$30/hour -
Supports case managers with client intake, documentation, referrals, and resource coordination.
Responsibilities:
Schedule appointments
Assist with housing and benefits applications
Maintain confidential records
Follow up with clients
Typical Requirements:
Strong organizational skills
Cultural competency
Bilingual ability highly valued (Portuguese/Spanish)
Estimated Regional Pay:
$22–$32/hour -
Bridge between healthcare providers and the community.
Typical Responsibilities:
Help clients navigate insurance and healthcare systems
Coordinate appointments and referrals
Provide health education
Connect individuals to housing, food, and social services
Conduct outreach and follow-ups
Common Employers on Martha’s Vineyard:
Martha’s Vineyard Hospital
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services
Typical Pay (MA): $22–$30/hour
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Clinicians are responsible for the assessment and direct treatment of assigned caseload of children and/or adults with psychiatric and/or substance abuse disorders.
Responsibilities:
Maintains caseload congruent with direct service hours and productivity requirement.
Completes a thorough initial assessment with each client to determine appropriateness for admission. Makes appropriate referrals.
Completes individualized action plans and comprehensive assessments within the required time frames that include the current needs, strengths, safety, and corresponding plan of care for each client.
Provides therapeutic individual/group/family therapy as prescribed in the client’s course of treatment and treatment plan.
Education Requirements:
Massachusetts Independent License to practice (LICSW, LMHC or equivalent)
Estimated Salary (Massachusetts):
Average: 68,600–$83,100
Skills:
Ability to interact with people who are under physical and/or emotional stress.
Strong communication and organization skills
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Supports older adults or individuals with disabilities in their homes.
Responsibilities:
Personal care assistance
Meal preparation
Companionship
Light housekeeping
Typical Requirements:
HHA or PCA certification (short-term training)
CPR certification
Estimated Regional Pay:
$20–$28/hour -
Helps residents access food, housing, healthcare, and public benefits.
Responsibilities:
Intake assessments
Referral coordination
Community education
Crisis response support
Typical Requirements:
Strong interpersonal skills
Familiarity with Island resources
Bilingual skills highly valued
Estimated Regional Pay:
$22–$35/hour -
Provides peer-based support for individuals in substance use recovery.
Responsibilities:
Goal-setting and accountability
Connecting clients to resources
Advocacy and relapse prevention support
Typical Requirements:
Massachusetts Recovery Coach certification
Lived experience often valued
Short-term training (30–60 hours)
Estimated Regional Pay:
$22–$35/hour -
Supports adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Responsibilities:
Assist with daily living activities
Medication reminders
Transportation support
Skill-building and independence training
Typical Requirements:
High school diploma
MAP (Medication Administration Program) certification
Background check
Estimated Regional Pay:
$20–$30/hour -
This position provides direct assistance to families by offering resources, information, and referrals for a wide variety of services and supports.
Responsibilities:
Provide individualized support, information, and referrals to connect individuals and families with appropriate resources
Update program materials and resource guides as needed
Education Requirements:
High school diploma
Additional education or relevant certifications in human services may be beneficial
Estimated Salary (Massachusetts):
Average: $52,000
Skills:
Strong verbal and written communication and computer skills.
Ability to maintain regular and effective communication with families.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work with diverse populations in a caring and sensitive manner.
Training Programs
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Bristol’s degree programs in the human services fields prepare you for the challenges and rewards of a career dedicated to helping those in need and making a positive impact on society.
Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts (Behavioral and Social Sciences)
A comprehensive and rigorous foundation for students who plan to transfer to complete a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in the liberal arts disciplines or to pursue professional studies in the Behavioral or Social Sciences. Bristol participates in the statewide MassTransferprogram and has developed many program-to-program transfer articulation agreements which guarantee admission and credit transfer.
Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts (Sociology Transfer)
A comprehensive and rigorous foundation for students who plan to transfer to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Bristol participates in the statewide MassTransfer program and has developed many program-to-program transfer articulation agreements which guarantee admission and credit transfer.
Associate in Science in Human Services
The Human Services program provides the academic coursework and field experience necessary for successful, entry-level careers in human services, as well as a strong foundation for transfer to colleges and universities with bachelor's programs in social work, human services or other related majors.
Developmental Disabilities Certificate
This certificate prepares students to work effectively with the broad range of populations with Intellectual Disabilities. It offers an opportunity for current provider agency employees within Massachusetts Department of Developmental Disability Services to advance within their organizations.
This 24 credit Certificate provides academic, theoretical and skills-based knowledge to obtain an entry-level position in human services or an upgrade of existing professional knowledge, for those already working in the field.
Substance Abuse Counseling certificate
Bristol's Substance Abuse Counseling certificate program is designed to help students gain an in-depth understanding of addiction and substance use disorders.
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Associate in Arts: Human Services Concentration
The Human Services Program is taught by faculty instructors who are currently practicing clinicians in a number of human service organizations throughout the Cape Cod area. A student who is interested in transferring into a four-year undergraduate program in the area of human services can take the first two years of study at Cape Cod Community College.
In addition to classroom instruction, this program has a minimum of at least one required practicum component, depending on the student’s academic and occupational goals. All practicum classes require students to complete, during a semester, 100 hours of unpaid, field work in an approved Human Service site, with a partnering agency. By the end of the completion of the program students will have developed a transferrable portfolio of coursework and practicum experiences.
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Behavioral Health: Associate’s Degree or Certificate
With a degree in Behavioral Health, you are prepared to work with vulnerable populations in the human service field, including with the elderly, children, individuals with disabilities, as well as in social justice and in education. If you are interested in continuing your education, you can meet with an advisor to discuss opportunities for MassTransfer with select public institutions in Massachusetts in addition to transferring to private colleges and universities.
Human Services: Direct Support Certificate
This is a workforce development career ladder offering for individuals working for the Department of Developmental Disabilities and/or their vendor agencies. This certificate prepares you for various positions in the broad field of Developmental Disabilities.
Human Services: Substance Abuse Certificate
The certificate is designed to prepare you for entry-level positions in substance abuse, to help those currently in the field upgrade their skills for professional advancement, and/or meet the needs of students intending to pursue further studies in the Human Services, Criminal Justice, Social Work and/or Substance Abuse. Students seeking immediate employment are prepared to work in a variety of residential programs and/or community outreach centers.