Family Peer Support Specialist Mental Health

Maryland Coalition of Families•Baltimore, VT

About The Position

Maryland Coalition of Families (MCF) is hiring a full-time Family Peer Support Specialist (FPSS) to serve families in Baltimore City. The specialist must live in Baltimore City and may support families in other jurisdictions as assigned by their supervisor. The role requires lived experience as a parent or caregiver of a child or youth with a mental health challenge. After training and orientation, the FPSS provides peer support, education, systems navigation assistance, advocacy, coaching, information, referrals, and follow-up to families seeking help. The position involves helping families navigate behavioral health and related systems, connecting them with resources, building natural support networks, and ensuring their voices are included in care planning and broader policy and systems discussions. The FPSS also conducts workshops and outreach, develops partnerships, represents MCF in community and government forums, and maintains timely service documentation.

Requirements

Personal lived experience as a parent or primary caregiver of a child or youth with mental health challenges.
Must live in Baltimore City.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Familiarity with state and local resources and how to access them.
Ability to build and maintain productive partnerships with agencies and providers.
Active listening skills and ability to provide non-judgmental, strengths-based peer support.
Ability to work independently and contribute positively to a team.
Strong organizational skills and follow-through.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Strong computer skills and ability to use internet searches to identify resources.
Ability or willingness to learn Salesforce.
Current Maryland driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle; in-state travel is required.
Successful completion of a background check.

Nice To Haves

Some combination of college education and professional work experience.
Prior experience helping other families obtain appropriate services and supports.
Familiarity and comfort with public speaking and conducting community outreach.

Responsibilities

Help parents and caregivers navigate behavioral health, social, legal, educational, and health care systems through support, guidance, and education.
Use a strengths-based, non-judgmental, solutions-oriented assessment to help families identify needs and develop plans to address them.
Provide opportunities for parents and caregivers to develop natural support networks.
Educate families about community resources and facilitate access when needed.
Educate parents and caregivers about their rights in various systems.
Advocate with system stakeholders on behalf of parents and caregivers to help ensure their needs are met.
Support parents and caregivers as equal partners in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating plans of care or service.
Facilitate educational workshops for families and community partners on behavioral health and other relevant topics.
Build and maintain partnerships with behavioral health providers, child-serving agencies, schools, local behavioral health authorities, local management boards, and other service providers.
Disseminate information about MCF programs and services and raise awareness of them.
Maintain accurate and timely documentation of services.
Pursue professional growth and continued learning about family peer support and relevant program issues.
Represent MCF on state and local committees, commissions, teams, and boards to promote family peer support and bring family perspectives to discussions.
Contribute positively to a peer community focused on delivering high-quality services.

Benefits

Generous paid time off, including two weeks of vacation, two weeks of sick leave, three personal days, two floating holidays, and 11 holidays per year.
Health plans.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Life insurance.
Flexible spending account (FSA).
Long-term disability coverage.
401(k).
Employee assistance program (EAP).
Equipment provided.
Mileage reimbursement.
Paid training.