Peer Support Specialist

DeCoach Recovery Centre•Xenia, OH

5d•Onsite

About The Position

DeCoach Recovery Centre is seeking a Peer Support Specialist for its Xenia, Ohio location to join the Ohio START (Sobriety, Treatment, and Reducing Trauma) team and partner closely with Greene County Child Services. The specialist draws on personal recovery and life experience to support families, help maintain child safety, and connect parents with resources that can help them build stable futures. The role involves collaborating with the Ohio START case worker and behavioral health provider to deliver intensive wrap-around services, support family stabilization and independence, and promote family participation and progress.

Requirements

At least a GED.
Current Certified Peer Support Specialist certification in Ohio.
An active Ohio driver's license and a clean driving record.
Competence in peer support services.
At least two years of long-term recovery from a substance use disorder.
No ongoing criminal activity.
Lived experience with the child welfare system as a parent, with the case closed at least one year ago, or indirect lived experience as defined in the posting.
Knowledge of, or ability to attain knowledge of, alcohol and drugs (pharmacology), behaviors associated with addiction, court processes, diversity, family dynamics, family team meetings, HIPAA, human behavior, and local resources and services.
Skills in advocacy, coaching, communication (listening, verbal, non-verbal, and written), computers and technology, crisis intervention and de-escalation, cultural competency, and motivational interviewing.

Nice To Haves

At least three years of recovery from a substance use disorder is preferred.
Traits and knowledge identified as ideal include compassion, empathy, integrity, confidentiality, medically assisted treatment (MAT), system navigation, recovery processes, the Ohio START Program, self-help programs, signs of child abuse and neglect, trauma-informed care, behavioral health and substance use treatment options, multitasking, negotiation, networking, observation, organization, parenting, problem solving, professionalism, boundary-setting, time management, patience, reliability, self-motivation, and tolerance.

Responsibilities

Participate as an active member of the Ohio START team.
Collaborate with the Ohio START case worker and behavioral health provider to help ensure child safety and the seamless delivery of intensive wrap-around services to START families.
Participate in initial meetings, weekly status meetings, and Family Team Meetings to review family progress and child safety.
Continually explore families’ needs and empower families to take ownership of long-term success and child safety.
Support parents in achieving personal independence.
Connect START families to community resources.
Teach families skills to navigate the child welfare system effectively.
Help families identify and access natural support systems in the community.
Promote coordination and linkage among providers in the local community.
Coordinate access to crisis intervention services and assist with family stabilization.
Teach START families self-advocacy and empowerment skills.
Identify internal and external barriers to participation in community resources and develop strategies to overcome them.
Provide input on court forms as needed.
Provide input on case plan development and child safety.