Family Peer Support Specialist

RIVER VALLEY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH•Henderson, KY

1d•$13 - $15

About The Position

The Family Peer Support Specialist mentors and supports parents and caregivers of children with severe emotional disabilities, using relevant support modalities and primarily drawing on lived experience as a parent or caregiver of a child with a mental health and/or substance use disorder. The position serves a seven-county region and requires frequent travel. The specialist builds family support networks, helps caregivers access resources and advocate for their children, participates in treatment planning, and facilitates community support groups. Timely service documentation, participation in required meetings and training, and collaborative work with leadership, management, and program teams are also part of the role.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Must be a parent or a relative caregiver with permanent legal custody who is raising or has raised a child with an emotional, social, behavioral, and/or substance use disability; the child must have been a client of at least one state-funded service for children with SED.
Must successfully complete core competency training administered by the statewide family network and demonstrate understanding of the System of Care philosophy and the Wraparound Process.
Must seek ongoing professional development training to maintain professional status and meet Medicaid and/or SIAC requirements.
Exceptional organizational abilities.
Willingness to work flexible hours and ability to travel within the region served.
Ability to maintain a non-judgmental attitude toward children with SED and their families.
Ability to work with families from diverse cultural, religious, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Flexibility in problem-solving and ability to handle varied situations.
Ability to follow policies, procedures, and code of ethics; maintain healthy boundaries; and demonstrate common sense, enthusiasm, teamwork, willingness to learn, and open-mindedness.

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain a regional support and information network for parents and families of children with emotional disabilities.
Teach, coach, mentor, and model basic communication skills, advocacy, resource identification and management, and coping skills for parents and caregivers.
Help parents locate resources for their children, understand their children’s rights regarding agencies, and advocate for clients and families in relevant situations.
Maintain timely service documentation, including billing documentation in the Avatar system, with entries made within 48 hours of service.
Serve as an active member of or consultant to children’s treatment teams and assist with treatment plan development.
Establish and maintain community parent support groups, share relevant information, and empower group members to assume leadership roles.
Respond in a timely manner by phone or letter to parent and caregiver requests for assistance.
Attend mandatory in-services, team meetings, and other required training and educational programs, including those offered by external local, regional, and state organizations.
Foster collaborative working relationships among leadership and management team members and programs.
Perform other duties as assigned.