Parent Peer Support Specialist

ADMINISTRATION
Parent Peer Support Specialist                   Apply: STF Application Packet (see instructions below) Salary:  $15-18 per hour (HS/GED AND - $15 - 1-2 years of experience; $16 - 2-4 years of experience; $17 - 4-6 years of experience; $18 - 6+ years of experience)
Work Schedule:  Up to 20 hours per week - Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm (variations as necessary)
 
Position Description:  The Parent Peer Support Specialist (PPSS) is responsible for providing peer support to parents and caregivers of youth who are receiving services at Specialized Treatment Facility (STF).  Parent peer support offers hope, guidance, advocacy, and camaraderie for parents and caregivers. That support is delivered through face-to-face, phone or virtual group or individual sessions/meetings. The PPSS will bring expertise based on their own lived experience of parenting a child or youth with emotional and/or behavioral challenges.  The PPSS will be an active member of the treatment team. The PPSS will support caregivers in being part of their child’s treatment team and help them in advocating for what they want for their child, as well as support them as they develop positive approaches and methods for addressing their family’s identified needs.  The PPSS will also assist families in understanding policies and processes of STF and assist with transition planning, including coordinating with MAP teams or other community providers throughout the state. The PPSS will collaborate with STF staff to support caregivers individually and in groups as indicated and also offer training and technical assistance to staff as requested.  The PPPS uses their own family’s resiliency experience as a tool; supports families they serve in recognizing and fostering their own resiliency; provides information relevant to their needs; assists in identifying and supporting families in crisis; facilitates family-directed services, goal-setting, and effective communication between providers and caregivers. The Parent Peer Support Specialist will report to the Performance Improvement/Transition Coordinator, with clinical oversight provided by the Clinical Director. 
Hours:   The position may work up to 20 hours per week, with the expectation that the vast majority of work will take place Monday through Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM. The PPSS will be expected to be present for intake when residents are admitted and weekly treatment team meetings. The peer supporter may also be required to be present on the day of discharge.
Travel and After Hours – Some in-state travel may be required, most likely to support families in connecting with their local MAP teams and other community providers.  May require some evening and weekend hours depending on the needs of individual families.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Collaborates with team members to meet identified goals for the department and/or program, including participation in treatment planning, training and programming.
2. Performs assigned administrative duties including reporting of time/attendance, submission of any required reports to supervisor or designee, and other duties as assigned.
3. Provides recovery focused psycho-educational interventions (individually or in groups) to parents/caregivers, using evidence-based/best practice programs approved by STF.
4. Attends intake meetings with families to help them feel more comfortable with STF and its processes and support them in sharing their input and questions.
5. As appropriate/assigned, assists with development of individualized treatment plan goals, objectives and interventions according to behavioral health standards, and advocates for/with parents/caregivers in treatment planning/team meeting interactions.
6. Assists with transition planning, including helping families coordinate with Making a Plan (MAP) teams or other community providers.
7. Assists families, STF staff and any indicated aftercare providers/MAP team members with any education advocacy issues that arise as youth transition to their aftercare plans.
8. Assists parents and caregivers in discovering and creating community and natural supports.
9. Works respectfully and collaboratively with STF staff to support individual families and the general principles of family-driven practice. This may include facilitating relevant training and technical assistance provided either by the PPSS or other community partners.
10. As appropriate/assigned, assists licensed/certified staff with parent/caregiver group therapeutic/behavioral interventions, including family therapy. Demonstrates age-specific and cultural competencies for the population served. Establishes therapeutic alliance/rapport with parents/caregivers promoting dignity and respect.
11. Documents therapeutic/peer support interventions and parent/caregiver progress in medical record according to STF policy and standards.
12. Attends required discipline-specific training to expand knowledge and skills and applies new knowledge to practice.  Maintains licensure and/or certifications, if applicable. 
13. Complies with all STF policies and procedures, plans and decisions.
14. Promotes and supports high standards of confidentiality, including adhering to standards set by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) which protects the privacy of health information.

Qualifications

1. Demonstrates commitment to family-driven treatment at the practice, program and policy levels.
2. Must possess at least a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) equivalent.
3. Must self-identify as a parent, foster parent or caregiver of a child or adolescent with behavioral health challenges and have experience accessing resources and navigating barriers.
4. Must be actively certified as a Parent/Caregiver Support Specialist by the MS Department of Mental Health or be able to attain certification within 90 days of hire.
5. Demonstrates capacity to carry out assignments and tasks with minimal supervision.
6. Strong oral and written communication skills. 
7. Highly organized and effectively manages multiple priorities simultaneously.
8. Professionally articulate in communicating (oral and written) system development, changes and outcomes.
9. Demonstrates professionalism working in teams with internal colleagues and external audiences both in person and through various electronic media.
10. Enthusiastic about advancing system change within the community.
11. Ability to use electronic means of communication and documentation effectively and access wi-fi when working remotely.
12. Must possess a valid driver’s license in state of residence and proof of insurability.