Parent Peer Support Specialist

CrossWinds Counseling & Wellness•Emporia, KS

About The Position

The Parent Peer Support Specialist provides family-centered, recovery-focused peer support to parents and legal guardians raising a child with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), Substance Use Disorder (SUD), or co-occurring behavioral health conditions. Drawing on lived experience raising a child with these needs, the specialist promotes hope, resilience, self-advocacy, and practical skills that support the child’s stabilization and improve the family’s quality of life. Services help families navigate treatment and community systems, strengthen natural supports, and maintain stability in the home and community. The position provides individual and group peer support in homes, agency offices, community settings, and approved virtual platforms. It helps caregivers build coping, communication, and self-advocacy skills; navigate treatment, school, and community services; and participate in treatment planning. The specialist may support families during higher levels of care and after discharge, collaborate with treatment teams and community partners, and document services in accordance with KDADS parent peer support standards, Medicaid requirements, and agency policies. The role is full time, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with regular travel within the service area. It operates in community and professional office settings, including family homes, schools, agency facilities, and other approved locations. The position reports to the Peer Support Services Manager and supervises no employees.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Self-identify as a person with lived experience raising a child with SED, SUD, or co-occurring mental health conditions.
Obtain and maintain Kansas Certified Parent Peer Support Specialist (KCPPSS) certification through KDADS. The training pathway requires Level 1 training and Families Together IEP training, KCPPSST status, a 90-day supervision period, Level 2 training when eligible, and acceptance of the certification application by KDADS.
Complete required certification renewals, continuing education, and agency-designated training.
Obtain and maintain Managing Aggressive Behaviors (MAB) certification as required by CrossWinds.
Have computer experience with Microsoft Office programs and basic computer fluency.
Be at least 18 years of age.
Demonstrate knowledge of family recovery and wellness principles, effective interpersonal skills, and the ability to support families without imposing personal beliefs or experiences.
Be able to work independently and as part of a treatment team, maintain boundaries, and recognize when clinical consultation is needed.
Receive satisfactory results from KBI, DCF child abuse registry, adult abuse registry, and motor vehicle checks before hire, consistent with agency requirements.
Meet the position’s physical demands, including occasional lifting or moving of up to 25 pounds, and obtain MAB certification, which includes training in restraint and physical intervention techniques for use as a last resort.
Be able to read, write, comprehend, and speak English; interpret written materials; write reports and business correspondence; and effectively present and respond to questions.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in peer support, family advocacy, or the health and human services field.

Responsibilities

Provide individualized parent-to-parent peer support using lived experience raising a child with SED, SUD, or co-occurring behavioral health conditions, with purposeful sharing and professional boundaries.
Provide individual and group parent/family peer support in homes, agency offices, community settings, and through approved virtual services, consistent with treatment plans and service requirements.
Tailor services to the child’s needs and treatment goals, ensuring services provided to a parent without the child present remain focused on and directly benefit the child.
Support parents and caregivers in identifying family strengths, setting recovery goals, and participating in treatment planning and service decisions.
Help parents develop coping skills, recognize triggers and early warning signs, strengthen communication, establish routines, manage stress, and support recovery at home.
Encourage self-advocacy and informed decision-making, including helping parents prepare questions and communicate concerns about diagnoses, medications, and treatment options to providers.
Assist families in navigating behavioral health and substance use treatment, school systems, and community services, including participation in IEP and Section 504 planning processes within the peer support role.
Help families identify, access, and maintain community resources and natural supports, including parent networks and family-serving organizations.
Facilitate or co-facilitate parent support, educational, and skills-based groups related to parenting, family wellness, and recovery within training and authorized scope.
Support families during PRTF placement or other higher levels of care as assigned; participate in transition meetings, help parents prepare for discharge, and connect families with community services.
Provide follow-up peer support after discharge based on assessed needs, treatment plans, and service authorization to help families build routines, engage in ongoing care, and strengthen supports.
Support family engagement in treatment and recovery activities and agency-approved participation or incentive programs as assigned.
Collaborate with treatment teams, schools, community partners, and family-serving agencies in accordance with consent and confidentiality requirements.
Help families understand and use individualized safety and crisis plans, access crisis services when needed, and communicate safety concerns according to agency procedures.
Meet client service and contact encounter expectations while maintaining service quality and accurate documentation.
Maintain complete and timely service records, including progress notes, appointment records, treatment plan contributions, client status reports, timesheets, and other required paperwork.
Practice trauma-informed, culturally responsive care; respect family preferences and experiences; maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries; and follow agency safety procedures.
Participate in required supervision, certification training, continuing education, team meetings, and professional development, and follow agency policies and applicable service standards.
Perform other related duties as assigned.