The Family Peer Support Specialist is part of crisis response to children and familiesexperiencing a crisis. This includesmobile response in the community and supporting families who present atHawthorn. The Family Peer SupportSpecialist works collaboratively with parents, caregivers, teammates and community partners, to promote immediatesafety and stability, greater independence, community integration and recovery. Services provided by peers include awide variety of supports, services and advocacy that contribute to a family's ability to engage in ongoingtreatment. Family Support Specialists have direct experience as a parent orprimary caregiver of a child with complex health needs and specialized trainingin the unique process of "walking beside" families experiencing complex circumstances. 

Location: This position is based out of LifeWorks NW's Hawthorn Crisis Site in Hillsboro, OR. 

Days/Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30 am -6:00 pm.

Pay/Benefits: $23.82 starting hourly pay, plus Full benefits.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works in collaboration with all the crisisprogram staff and community partners to assist families with safety planningand connecting to on-going mental health services.
• Uses his/her own experiences in a strategic way andmodels the principles of recovery for those they work with, including self-care,gaining greater independence, emphasize wellness and self-determination.
• Work with families on specific and obtainablegoals included in the person's short term crisis treatment plan
• Informs people served of available serviceoptions while promoting the use of natural supports and resources within thecommunity.
• Present a model of someone in recovery and sharetheir own experiences as their training provided guidance.
• Provides support to caregivers or parents ofyouth who are having symptoms that could result in hospitalization. Duties could include accompanying to schoolmeetings, spending time with caregivers. Assists clients in accessing communityresources such as support groups, food boxes, healthcare appointments and otherservices as appropriate.
• Educate parents / primary caregivers and naturalsupports on mental illness in children and adolescents.
• Help families develop skills to get throughcrises.
• Assist the family in understanding clinicallanguage and systems and practice positive communication with clinicians andother health care providers.
• Maintain confidentiality of records relating toclients' treatment.
• Meets standards for documentation and accuracyof work as defined in the Performance Evaluation.
• Meets standards as defined in the PerformanceEvaluation for client care, quality/customer service, attendance/punctualityand teamwork.
• Continually increase level of culturalsensitivity, awareness and humility.
• Participate in a culture of feedback at theagency by eliciting feedback to promote professional growth and assess workeffectiveness
• Participates in regular individual and teammeetings with supervisor. Provideswritten and verbal reports to supervisor regarding cases. Meets with PeerCoordinator at regular intervals. Attends informational and clinical meetingswhich may include all-agency meetings, team meetings, consultation meetingswith psychiatrist, staffings, intra-agency trainings, etc. Attend and contribute positively to teammeetings, agency and interdisciplinary meetings.
• Educate and advocate for the values andprinciples of Peer Delivered Services and the Recovery Model.
• Completes documentation on a timely basis.
• Checks e-mail/voice mail daily/throughout theday when working responding to contacts within 48 hours for routine matter (urgent matters mayrequire a more immediate response)
• Completes online training courses asassigned 

Qualifications:

• Have "lived" experience as a parent or primarycaregiver of a child who has experienced mental, emotional and / or behavioralhealth problems.
• Meets the Family Support Specialistqualification criteria adopted under ORS 414.665 and may be either a peersupport specialist or a peer wellness specialist who, based on similar lifeexperiences, provides support services to and has experience parenting a childwho: Is a current or former consumer of mental health or addiction treatment;or is facing or has faced difficulties in accessing education, health, andwellness services due to mental health or behavioral health barriers.
• Holds a Peer Support Specialist certificationfrom a State-approved training program. Current Family Support Specialistcertification is preferred but can be completed after hire.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills andability to provide culturally competent treatment services to diverse clientpopulations.
• Familiar with developmental needs of adults andchildren.
• Basic computer skills including keyboarding, useof mouse, ability to navigate website and use common web browser.
• Transporting clients in an agency vehicle is required. A valid driver's license and ability to meet drivingrequirements are necessary. 
• Ability to perform essential functions of jobwithout creating a direct threat to the safety of self or others.

This is a represented position. 

LifeWorks NW is a private, non-profit organization providing prevention, mental health, substance use treatment, and related social services to youths, adults, and older adults in over fifteen locations throughout Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. LifeWorks NW promotes a healthy community by providing quality and culturally responsive mental health and addiction services across the lifespan. 

Our core values-Recovery and Relationships, Resilience, and Results-inform the work we do. The four pillars of the strategic vision include: Compassionate, Impactful Care; Holistic Health; Passionate Team; and a Thriving Organization. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are critical to successfully achieving the mission. We know that "life works" when people get the help they need and are dedicated to changing lives.

Equal Opportunity Employer

www.lifeworksnw.org

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