Description

Basic Functions: To provide parent-to-parent peer support, information and advocacy to help families reach their goals. Use empowerment and advocacy to build partnerships and promote understanding and collaboration with families, agencies and community. To seek opportunities for increased access to informal support and resources for families. To mentor families to become a resource to other parents. Provide services in a way that reflects the values and principles of Integrated/System of Care. FP support is consistent, dependable, individualized, and non-judgmental. Work within the mission of the Mental Health America of Central Carolinas (MHA), which is to provide help, offer hope and promote mental wellness through advocacy, education and prevention in Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Counties. 

Position Description: The Family Partner (FP) is a person who has self-identified as a caregiver having raised or is currently raising a child/youth with mental, emotional, behavioral disorder and who has successfully navigated the child/youth serving systems to access treatment and resources necessary to build resiliency and foster success in the home, school and community. The Family Partner aims to provide the parent/caregiver of a child/youth that has mental illness, substance use disorder or co-occurring diagnoses with skills, strategies, knowledge and support to strengthen the family and increase the caregivers’ ability to support the treatment goals of the child/youth, which will thereby enhance the youth’s ability to function within home, school and community. Family Partners assist caregivers to navigate through multiple agencies and human service systems including but not limited to health, behavioral health, education, social services, housing, and financial management. The goal of a Family Partner is to give families the tools to be able to advocate for their child’s needs, have their own supports and resources within the community, and eventually to be able to help other families in the community and provide a voice for making positive changes to our mental health system of care. Family Partners are well versed in resources available in a multitude of areas including mental health, physical health, dental health, housing, food, finance management, employment, education, and transportation. 

Requirements

Position Responsibilities:

· One-on-one caregiver mentoring or coaching: Engaging families through sharing experience (e.g. telling components of their own story), which enhances the engagement of the family, promotes a sense of being understood and affirmed, and instills a sense of hope for their family’s future.

· Spend time with caregivers to better understand their families’ culture, needs, and strengths. 

· Coach the caregiver on effective strategies to explain their needs and preferences and to advocate for their child’s needs. 

· Educate parents/caregivers about how to effectively navigate the child-serving systems for themselves and about the existence of informal/community resources available to them.

· Connecting caregiver to informal/community services and resources available in the community that can assist with meeting family needs or reducing parental stress.

· Provide emotional, supportive and informational services using a strengths-based empowerment approach to parents/family members and caregivers. 

· Provide referrals to appropriate agencies for families, as appropriate. 

· Attend necessary meetings and trainings to become aware of all and any existing resources that will support parents, children and their families. Attend meetings with families to assist them in advocating for their children. 

· Provide general information on mental health issues and concerns to parents and agency professionals, as requested. 

· Model and teach advocacy skills to families. 

· Provide Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) Level 3 support to families (0-12 and Teens) with fidelity to the model. 

· Maintain a flexible schedule, including some evening and weekend work. 

· Respect the privacy and confidentiality of clients and hold in confidence all information obtained in the course of professional service. 

· Attend and participate in MHA staff meetings and department meetings, as scheduled.

· Participate in and provide support in ParentVOICE and Mental Health America events (fundraising, educational, advocacy, etc.), as requested by supervisor or MHA’s Executive Director. 

· Meet regularly with ParentVOICE Program Manager to discuss strategies, progress, and barriers.

· Attend conferences/trainings directly pertaining to youth support, leadership and empowerment, Integrated/System of Care, and other topics as discussed with program director. 

· Assist MHA office and staff in the planning, development, and execution of special fundraising events, marketing initiatives, and educational forums. 

· Teamwork is expected; respect each coworker, communicate, and work together toward our common purpose/goal.

· Adhere to all policies and procedures of the MHA. 

· Other duties may be/as assigned, but not specifically listed. 

Various assignments may include but are not limited to:

· Bilingual - designated to support parents/caregivers in native language*

· Cabarrus County

· Ella B Scarboro Community Resource Center

· Valerie Woodard Community Resource Center

· Youth Recovery Court

Outreach duties include the following:

· Seek out, recruit and engage new families in the services offered by ParentVOICE and other MHA programs. 

· Serve as an “exhibitor” for assigned community-based activities and events according to MHA internal policy. 

· Speak to civic groups, church/faith organizations, colleges/universities, and other volunteer groups to share information about MHA and PV and to recruit new families and volunteers. 

· Identify parents/ family members and caregivers who would be good candidates to recommend participating in the Family Partner Training Institute coordinated by UNCG.

· Participate on community committees as approved by supervisor. 

Education and Training duties include the following: 

· Work with other ParentVOICE Family Partners to plan, implement and deliver monthly lunch & learn workshops as a part of the Real Talk, Real Support series. 

· Participate in the creation and implementation of workshops and trainings that are identified by families/ caregivers that will promote empowerment, leadership, and self-sufficiency. 

Administrative duties include the following: 

· Answer phone calls and email requests for information and referrals in a timely manner. 

· Maintain accurate records of work time, travel mileage, reimbursement receipts and complete necessary paperwork for payroll and reimbursements, as needed. 

· Accurately document activities, phone conversations, community contacts, etc. in designated databases in a timely fashion. · Complete assessments on families for whom you are providing one-on-one peer support in 30-day increments during the time you are providing support.

· Complete and submit, on a quarterly basis, Triple P paperwork to Mecklenburg Triple P project and copy ParentVOICE Program Manager. 

Knowledge of:

· Community services and resources

· System of Care/Integrated Care principles including family-driven care, interagency coordination, and Child and Family Team processes

· Roles and parameters of child welfare, schools, juvenile justice, and mental health systems 

· Importance of ethical behavior, the potential impact of unethical behavior on the individual, and the potential consequences of violating ethical expectations

· Confidentiality regulations (HIPAA)

· Importance and foundations of culturally and linguistically responsive care

· Importance of trauma informed practices

Skills and Abilities:

· Family engagement strategies

· Time management skills

· Teaching coping and problem-solving skills

· Self-care skills and maintaining appropriate boundaries including understanding of how to effectively and appropriately share their personal story

· Teaching self-care and appropriate boundaries

· Teaching effective communication 

· Teaching self-advocacy skills

· Supporting families in using crisis/safety plan and the skills within that plan

Minimum Position Qualifications 

Education: Associate or Bachelor Degree in Human Service field preferred; or, a H.S. Diploma (or equivalent) with 3-5 years of experience working in the field of social sciences (working with children and families with significant mental health and/or behavioral issues or experience with parenting children with behavioral, emotional or neurological issues). Have completed MHA’s Family Partner Training Institute within first year of employment.

Experience: Must have a strong knowledge of local community resources and services. Experience with and consciousness of the struggle, recognizes the standpoint (the unique perspective a person has based on their life experience) of the parent. Experience working with children and families with significant mental health and/or behavioral issues or experience with parenting children with behavioral, emotional or neurological issues. Knowledge of integrated care and system of care values and principles. Proficiency in computer software applications (Outlook, Salesforce, Word, Excel, Publisher, SharePoint and PowerPoint). Meeting facilitation and public speaking experience required. Must be able to work collaboratively with a team, and possess positive, effective interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills. 

Other: Must maintain a valid NC driver’s license or valid photo identification card; have access to reliable transportation; comply with annual background checks; nights and weekend work may apply. MHA of Central Carolinas is an equal opportunity employer. 

*Have the ability to communicate in verbal and written word in designated language with proficiency.

Have or be willing to attain a national Family Peer Specialist Certification within two years of employment. After certification, maintain by renewal every three years.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:

• Positions in this class require: fine dexterity, sitting, reaching, handling, climbing, vision, hearing, twisting, talking.
• Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds occasionally or negligible weights frequently; sitting most of the time.

Mental Health America of Central Carolinas is an equal opportunity employer.