About this role
Job Summary: Position will require frequent travel within a 7 county region
The Family Peer Support Specialist provides mentoring and support to parents/caregivers of children with severe emotional disabilities through the use of various relevant modalities, primarily through use of lived experience as a parent/caregiver of child with a mental health and/or substance use disorder.
Essential Functions:
- Establishes and maintains a regional support and information network for parents and families of children with emotional disabilities.
- Teaches, coaches, mentors, and models for parents and caregivers regarding basic communication skills and advocacy training, resource identification and management, coping skill development, etc.
- Assists parents in locating available resources for their child and in understanding the rights of the child regarding these agencies and advocating for clients and families in relevant situations.
- Maintains timely documentation of services provided including billing documentation required in the Avatar system, requiring entry within 48 hours of service.
- Serves as an active member or consultant for childrens treatment teams by assisting in treatment plan development.
- Establishes and maintains parent support groups throughout the community, disseminating relevant information to families, empowering group members to assume leadership roles within the group, etc.
- Responds by phone or letter in a timely manner to parent/caregiver requests for assistance.
- Attends mandatory in-services, team meeting, and other training/educational programs as required, both internally and with external local, regional, and state organizations.
- Fosters collaborative working relationships among members of the leadership and management teams and programs.
- Other duties as assigned.
Why Choose RiverValley?
RiverValley is now a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), expanding access to high-quality, integrated care in the communities we serve. Join a mission-driven organization committed to clinical excellence, professional growth, and meaningful impact.
We offer:
- Competitive pay
- Comprehensive benefits (health, dental, vision, Telehealth)
- Paid time off + 9 holidays
- Retirement plan options
- Tuition reimbursement + free CEUs
- Clinical supervision
- Wellness & employee assistance programs
- Mileage reimbursement for work related travel
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - eligible employer
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
- High School diploma or GED
- Must be a parent or relative caregiver with permanent legal custody who is raising or has raised a child with an emotional, social, behavioral, and/or substance use disability, and whose child had been a client of at least one state-funded service for children with SED.
- LICENSURE/ CERTIFICATION:
Must successfully complete core competency training administered by the statewide family network and demonstrate an understanding of the System of Care philosophy, the Wraparound Process, etc.
- Required to seek continuous professional development training in order to maintain professional status and meet Medicaid and/or SIAC requirements.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Exceptional organizational abilities.
- Must be willing to work flexible hours and be able to travel within the region served.
- Must maintain a non-judgmental attitude toward children with SED and their families.
- Must have the ability to work with families from diverse cultural, religious, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds.
- Demonstrates flexibility in problem-solving and the ability to deal with various situations that arise.
- Personal characteristics must include common sense, ability to adhere to policies, procedures, and code of ethics, demonstration of healthy boundaries, enthusiasm, team involvement, willingness to learn, open mindedness, etc.