Certified Family Peer Specialist

Volunteers of America Minnesota and Wisconsin•Blaine, MN

17d•Onsite

About The Position

As a Certified Family Peer Specialist, you will partner with young people, caregivers, families, and the clinical interdisciplinary team (CID) to support and empower families’ voices, ensure access to needed resources, and prioritize family ownership of residential and post-transition care plans. You will mentor caregivers and serve as an engaged residential team member and client advocate. Drawing on your personal experience accessing mental health services for a child, you will model wellness, offer hope and encouragement, and empower caregivers to support the family’s plan of care. The role requires completion of Department of Human Services-approved Certified Family Peer Specialist training and the certification exam within six months of hire. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday during the day, with some evening availability. It is based at Avanti, 10300 Flanders St NE, Blaine, MN 55449, and starts at $25 per hour. Services are provided under the supervision of a Licensed Mental Health Professional, as required.

Requirements

Must have raised or be currently raising a child with a mental illness.
Experience navigating the children's mental health system.
Demonstrated leadership and advocacy skills and a strong dedication to family-driven and family-focused services.
High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
At least 21 years of age.
Certified as an MN DHS-approved Certified Family Peer Specialist, or have previous related work experience and expect to become certified within six months of hire.
Complete Department of Human Services-approved Certified Family Peer Specialist training and certification exam within six months of hire.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Bridge communication and support between families or caregivers and Clinical Interdisciplinary Teams.
Build trusting, respectful relationships with youth, caregivers, family members, and treatment team members.
Maintain regular caregiver contact as identified in treatment and transition plans.
Provide caregiver-to-caregiver mentoring, advocacy, support, and encouragement.
Share lived caregiver experience ethically and appropriately to promote hope and engagement.
Empower caregivers to advocate for themselves, their youth, and their families.
Help caregivers identify, recruit, and engage natural, community, and long-term support systems.
Provide post-transition family-peer support and aftercare services for up to six months following discharge, as appropriate, and meet program licensing and accreditation aftercare requirements.
Attend weekly Teams, Admin, interdisciplinary team, and other assigned meetings.
Coordinate distribution, collection, tracking, and reporting of youth, family, referral source, and provider satisfaction surveys.
Compile survey findings, identify trends, and communicate results to support quality improvement.
Collaborate with Leadership to strengthen caregiver engagement practices, service quality, and program outcomes.
Maintain professional relationships with coworkers, caregivers, external team members, community resources, and stakeholders.
Interact respectfully, non-judgmentally, and effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, demonstrating cultural humility and responsiveness.
Perform other duties as assigned.