Parent Peer Specialist

The Family Peer System Navigator program works with youth and families to ensure access and enrollment into services and resources offered by the child serving system in Delaware County!

The Family Peer Specialist uses lived experience to support youth and caregivers in accessing services for complex emotional and behavioral needs. They provide guidance, education, and resource connections, working with families for 3–6 months until appropriate supports are in place. This role collaborates with families, providers, and county staff in Delaware County, using a System of Care and High-Fidelity Wraparound strengths-based approach that emphasizes family voice and choice and coordinated care.

Please note, that in order to be a Family Peer Specialist, it requires you to have had personal involvement either yourself, or as a parent or caregiver with a child, involved in mental health services. WORK-RELATED EXPERIENCE DOES NOT COUNT.

Responsibilities will include:

• Partner with and support assigned families in their homes, community and office to ensure access and enrollment into appropriate services and resources to meet the needs of their child.
• Partner with crisis services support staff, area hospitals and mobile crisis, to identify potential referrals.
• Provide direct support and services to families in order to access natural supports and advocate for themselves.
• Collaborate with the youth and their family to engage them in the Family Peers System Navigator program and help them to identify and express their needs.
• Communicate frequently with the youth, family, and team to identify any emerging needs that may need to be considered in the coordination of care.
• Teach and transfer activities to the youth, family, and natural supports by building and monitoring the youth and family’s self-efficacy.
• Assist the youth and family in identifying and strengthening their natural and social supports.
• Document efforts in the client’s electronic health record.
• Travel weekly throughout Delaware County to share information about Delco Contact to system partners and build referral networks.
• Attend community events such as resource fairs, health fairs, and back to school nights to share information regarding Delco Contact and other CFF programs.
• Meet with program supervisor weekly in person to ensure compliance with program deliverables and quality of care.
• Provide occasional transportation of clients in personal vehicle to ensure connection to appropriate services.
• Attend scheduled assigned trainings and obtain required skills in a reasonable time.
• Ensure that the best practices and principles of the program are upheld.
• As a mandated reporter, ensure that any safety concerns with youth are reported in accordance with State Mandates.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Be a person with a history of, or a parent of a child, with a history of complex mental health needs.
• Have successfully gained access to services for you or your child/family.
• Have extensive knowledge of how to access services and resources offered by both Delaware County’s child serving system and other community providers.
• Life experience which allows you to possess a diverse view of what families need.
• Has demonstrated having a passion to making a difference in the lives of families in the community.
• Ability to learn and understand the ten guiding principles of wraparound and their implementation in service planning.
• Proficiency with computer applications including Microsoft Word and email applications.
• Ability to work in a designated workspace that is secure, remote, and confidential environment with access to reliable internet.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and insurance.
• Current child abuse, criminal and FBI clearances.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to network and collaborate with service providers and professionals.
• Knowledge of resources in Delaware County and surrounding counties and the ability to access them.
• Knowledge of and experience with child serving systems and family organizations.
• Knowledge of families’ rights and responsibilities within the child serving systems.
• Knowledge and understanding of the ten guiding principles of Wraparound and their implementation in service planning.
• A personality that is open to and supports engaging people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Work Environment:

• Hybrid work environment both in standard office environment, from home as well as community settings to include client home, schools, court, doctor’s offices and hospitals.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Starting hourly rate of $17.75
• Medical and Vision Benefits offered on first day of employment, 3 plan options offered by Independence Blue Cross
• Dental Benefits offered on first day of employment, 2 plan options offered by Guardian
• Ancillary Benefits offered on first day of employment, such as Accident, Critical Illness, Cancer, Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability and $50,000 Life Insurance Policy provided by CFF
• 9 Paid Holidays
• 17 days of Paid Time Off with additional days added through years of service
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Annual Salary Increase and Bonus
• 401K plan with company match and profit sharing
• Mileage and Expense reimbursement for travel and training
• Clearance Reimbursement

*Eligibility Requirements apply

Child and Family Focus is an equal opportunity and drug free employer. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, gender identity, or genetics. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.