Family Peer Support Specialist

East End Community Services is a 25-year old non-profit organization whose mission is to break the cycle of generational poverty in Dayton Ohio. Through the process of skilled coaching we help empower disadvantaged individuals and whole families to explore the change process, set goals, and create specific plans for building new skills and self-confidence to achieve overall success. We offer programs in education (out-of-school-time academic, social and emotional support for K-8 students and high school age youth; plus parent education), employment and income stability (credential based job skills training, computer training, job related soft skills training, job placement), health services (support for struggling with addiction recovery), access to affordable housing and healthy food, and social connectedness (opportunities to build supportive relationships with others).

East End Community Services is legally known as WestCare Ohio, a proud subsidiary of the international non-profit organization - WestCare Foundation.

This position works with adults identified as parents, guardians, spouses, partners, and loved ones impacted by a family member with substance use disorder and mental health challenges. Certified Family Peer Support is identified as the active, social, and informational support provided from one parent or adult family member to another with a goal to reduce isolation, shame, and blame through the sharing of their own relevant life experiences. With unrelenting focus on the parent/adult family member, the CFPS will help this individual strengthen their own emotional and mental health, build resilience, and connect with other adults sharing similar life experiences
Essential Job Functions:
Provide empathetic, non-judgmental listening and emotional support
Share personal stories of lived experience
Assist individuals and families in assessing their service needs and identifying access barriers
Help families identify community resources and collaborate in the navigation of such systems
Offer skill-building activities and identify training for participants that enhance resiliency, communication, advocacy and other self-care skills
Maintain case notes and other records, and perform data collection using agency database
Ensure access to trauma/toxic stress screening and referrals
Facilitate the creation of Wellness Recovery Action Plan's with participants, as needed
Present interventions and activities that meet needs, build on strengths, and achieve outcomes for program
Advocate for individuals and families within various systems/services
Facilitate individuals and/or family engagement with service providers, including warm hand-off, as appropriate
Embraces and embodies the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation
Performs any other duties as assigned

Essential Qualifications:
Certifications/Licenses:
Relevant certification(s) and/or licensure a plus; Preference will be given to candidates who are currently certified as Family Peer Support Specialist;
Valid driver's license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCare's vehicle insurance is required.
Education:
A degree from an accredited two-year or four-year college is preferred;
High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
Experience and Competencies:
Excellent communication skills are required;
Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion is required;
Ability to work well in a team environment is required;
Appropriate appearance suited to the position is required;
Strong computer skills to encompass all Microsoft Office applications is highly desired;
Adherence to the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially to standards governing confidentiality;
Work is primarily performed within the community and other locations as necessary to meet the needs of program participants;
Regular and prompt attendance is required throughout employment.