Peer Support Specialist - Start Program

Summary:
The START Family Mentor will work with children and families with HHS involvement in which one of the parents has history of or is currently abusing substances. The purpose of the START Program is to keep children safe and to prevent placement in foster care services; to develop a safe, nurturing, and stable living environment for the client as rapidly and responsibly as possible and to assist the parents overcome their substance use.
Duties and Responsibilities:

• Drawing on personal experience as a former client of the child welfare system as a person in recovery to provide emotional support to START clients, including phone calls and visits with the client in the home or office setting.
• Advocate for START clients to obtain necessary services and supports such as housing, benefits, substance use treatment services and other supports as needed.
• Work with clients to provide hope, support and self-determination.
• Assist clients with finding resources, advising the consumer of processes and encouraging follow through with proposed resolutions, locating social activities or provide other assistance as needed.
• Assist the consumer and/or family with identifying and effectively responding to or avoiding identified precursors or triggers that result in functional impairments
• Maintain strict confidentiality of all information related to the client and their work with the agency
• Work in collaboration with the START team, including HHS and other partner agency staff.
• Advise START team on the needs and experiences of HHS clients who have active substance use
• Participate in case conferences/reviews, service planning meetings, join training sessions and other meetings as needed and/or required.
• Accompany/transport parents to services, including but not limited to substance use treatment sessions, court, and other appointment relevant to treatment/case plan goals.
• Participate in and take guidance from individual and group supervision sessions
• Record activities in case files.
• Participate in and contribute to data gathering for the START team.
• Complete correspondence, records and/or reports
• Attend staff meetings, agency training(s) and conferences
• Perform other duties as required

Skills in:

• Using effective time management skills to complete required job duties
• Effective interpersonal communication skills
• Establishing and maintaining professional working relationships with regional staff, divisional staff, payers and state contacts.
• Troubleshooting, analyzing, evaluating and problem-solving situations and information. Using sound judgment to make decisions and determine appropriate course of action
• Skills and abilities in using a computer: proficient skills in using email, Word software, etc.
• Time-management and organizational skills
• Proficiency with Excel Spreadsheets

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED or Equivalent
• Certified as a Peer Support Specialist

FPS is committed to creating the best possible work environment for our team members and offers the following total rewards package:

• Competitive Salary
• Paid Vacation Days
• Paid Sick Days
• Holidays
• Medical, Dental, Vision including a Health Savings Account
• Health, Dependent and Transportation Flexible Spending Accounts
• Basic and Optional Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse and/or Dependents
• 401 K Match 50% of the first 6% of eligible compensation up to an annual maximum of $750
• Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement
• Training, Development and Continuing Education Credits for licensure requirements
• Opportunities for advancement! As we grow, you grow with us!

FPS or any its subsidiaries does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. FPS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace
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Compensation: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.