Peer Partner

Shields For Families • Los Angeles, CA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

SHIELDS’ mission is to develop, deliver and evaluate culturally sensitive, comprehensive service models that empower and advocate for high-risk families in South Los Angeles. The Peer Partner provides timely, strengths-based support to families residing in SPA 6 who have experienced a child abuse or neglect report or are currently involved in a DCFS investigation. The position responds to referrals from the Warmline, legal service partners, emergency response social workers, and community or self-referrals within 24 hours.

The Peer Partner engages families, conducts intake and assessments, identifies strengths, needs, barriers, and risks, and collaborates with families to develop individualized service plans. The role provides parent rights education, emotional support, ongoing case management, and direct linkage to community resources, including behavioral health services, home visitation, housing, and legal services. The Peer Partner maintains regular contact with families for a minimum of six months, monitors progress, and provides support based on individual needs and program protocols.

The position also involves maintaining accurate and timely case documentation and data; participating in case conferences, staff meetings, supervision, and required trainings; and maintaining strong relationships with community and referral partners. The Peer Partner is expected to stay current on community resources and eligibility requirements, respond to information requests promptly, assist with program events and activities, and may be required to provide participant support outside regular business hours.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Lived experience with the child welfare system.
• Experience working with high-risk families and/or children.
• Strong advocacy and engagement skills.
• Ability to communicate ideas and information clearly, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to use basic computer and word-processing applications.
• Ability to apply sound judgment, analysis, and lived experience to decision-making.
• Commitment to team objectives and SHIELDS For Families’ philosophies.
• Ability to adapt to changing program and participant needs by developing new skills and knowledge.
• Ability to use a family-centered, culturally responsive, ethnically informed, and trauma-focused approach, with respect for the community and participants.
• Current California driver’s license, acceptable driving record, car registration, reliable personal vehicle, and appropriate auto insurance coverage.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Respond to referrals from the Warmline, legal service partners, emergency response social workers, and community or self-referrals within 24 hours.
• Engage families and conduct intake and assessments.
• Identify family strengths, needs, barriers, and risks, and collaborate with families to develop individualized service plans.
• Provide parent rights education, emotional support, and ongoing case management.
• Connect families with community resources, including behavioral health services, home visitation, housing, and legal services.
• Maintain regular contact with families for a minimum of six months, monitor progress, and provide support based on individual needs and program protocols.
• Maintain accurate and timely case documentation and data.
• Participate in case conferences, staff meetings, supervision, and required trainings.
• Maintain strong working relationships with community and referral partners.
• Maintain current knowledge of available community resources and eligibility requirements, and respond to information requests in a timely manner.
• Assist with program events and activities.
• Provide participant support outside regular business hours when required.

Benefits

• Employer-paid medical insurance for the employee and family.
• Employer-paid dental insurance.
• Employer-paid vision insurance.
• Employer-paid group life insurance for the employee.
• Employer-paid sick pay: 12 days per year.
• Employer-paid vacation pay: 10–20 days per year depending on years of service.
• Employer-paid anniversary holiday: 1–5 days annually depending on years of service.
• Employer-paid birthday holiday: 1 day annually.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED