Family Peer Support Specialist

Salary: Starting hourly wage $16.50 upon becoming certified $17.00 per hour

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Offer support and navigation assistance to caregivers of at-risk/multi-system involved youth.
• Ability to share personal lived experience strategically with families to assist with development of hope and resilience.
• Maintain minimum weekly contact with caregiver by phone, email, and/or in-home visit. Engage in opportunities to support and advocate for involved families.
• Be able and willing to use a strengths-based approach and family involvement in service decisions.
• Offer active listening and encourage hope.
• Document accurate records of work time.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of client engagement & required billing documentation needed in electronic client record.
• Meet weekly with supervisor, complete all professional development and trainings on time, continue to identify and complete needed areas or new training.
• Maintain confidentiality and follows appropriate guidelines to maintain client protected health information as governed by state and federal mandates.
  
• Ongoing exploration of a caregiver’s and family’s recovery, resiliency, and wellness needs.
• Support caregivers and families in achieving recovery, resiliency, and wellness goals through increased knowledge, skills, and connection as identified by the caregiver and family.
  
• Support families and caregivers in the development of like skills such as budgeting and connecting to community resources.
• Model personal responsibility for resiliency, recovery, and wellness.
• Teaching and coaching skills to effectively navigate the health care delivery systems to utilize services effectively and efficiently.
• Provide individual or group facilitation that addresses symptoms, skills, and behaviors to assist caregivers and families in eliminating barriers to seeking, achieving, or maintaining recovery, employment, education, or housing.
• Assist with accessing and developing natural support systems in the community.
• Promote coordination and linkage among similar providers.
• Coordinate or assist in crisis interventions and stabilization as needed.
• Conduct outreach and community education.
• Attend and participate in team decision making.
• Assist caregivers and families in the development of empowerment skills through self-advocacy and activities that mitigate discrimination and inspire hope.
• Assist caregivers and families in overcoming barriers that impede their ability to obtain the appropriate and necessary services for their children.
• Provide services in a culturally inclusive and competent manner which includes not practicing, condoning, facilitating, or collaborating in any form of discrimination based on ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, marital status, political belief, or mental or physical disability.
• Other duties as assigned.

WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Must have excellent communication skills and be able to function well as a team member.
  
• Must be able to listen attentively for extended periods of time if needed.
• Must be able to share personal history with families on an “as needed” basis.
• Compassion toward other individuals and a genuine desire to want to help others is a necessity.
• Customer service experience a plus.
• Time management skills helpful. Must be able to communicate effectively both internally and externally and display patience, compassion and respect.
• Basic computer experience and experience with standard office equipment a must (phone, fax, copier etc.).
  
• Must be culturally competent and willing to work with clients and families with various and diverse populations.
• Must be flexible and possess excellent organizational and time management skills, be able to complete tasks and deliver results in a timely manner.
• Must possess the ability to work effectively and professionally with other community partners, professionals, and different disciplines.
• Be able to maintain professional boundaries, behavior, and appearance.
  
• Maintain CEU's and current certification while employed as a CFPS.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Lived experience as a caregiver of a youth struggling with SUD and/or MH required. High School Diploma or equivalent required. Must possess or achieve Family Support Provider certification from Ohio Mental Health and Recovery Services within six months of hire. Must be able to NPI number and Medicaid billing number within 90 days of hire.