Peer Navigator

Position Summary:

The Family & Peer Navigator serves a critical role in providing comprehensive support, guidance, and advocacy for individuals and families navigating complex systems such as mental health, substance use recovery, child welfare, probation, and child protective services. By drawing on both lived experience and professional expertise, the Family & Peer Navigator empowers families, facilitates informed decision-making, and ensures their active participation in the planning and delivery of services. This position combines direct peer support, family advocacy, education, and community engagement with the overarching goal of enhancing service efficacy and improving outcomes for families.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Peer Support & Family Engagement:

• Provide Peer Support: Leverage lived experience to offer compassionate, non-judgmental guidance to individuals and families navigating systems such as mental health, child welfare, substance use recovery, and probation services.
• Empower Families: Support families in becoming active and informed participants in their own service planning and decision-making processes.
• Advocate for Families: Act as a liaison between families and service providers, ensuring that the voices of families are heard and that their needs are met throughout the service delivery process.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Demonstrate respect for and understanding of diverse cultural, economic, and social backgrounds, adapting services to meet the unique needs of families.
• Community Engagement: Represent the organization in community events and outreach activities, advocating for the needs and rights of families within the community.

2. Education & Advocacy:

• Provide Education: Educate families about service options, patient rights, privacy notices, behavior support and management of philosophies, and grievance procedures.
• Support Parent-Professional Partnerships: Advocate for the inclusion of the family's voice in service planning and ensure families are equipped to make informed decisions about their care.
• Resource Navigation: Assist families in accessing and navigating community resources, including healthcare, education, legal support, and behavioral health services.
• Crisis Management: Effectively handle escalated situations and conflicts, de-escalating when necessary, and ensuring the safety and well-being of all parties involved.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and timely records of services provided, including peer support activities, family advocacy, and community outreach. Ensure compliance with organizational standards and confidentiality requirements.

3. Communication & Coordination:

• Maintain Professional Relationships: Cultivate and sustain collaborative relationships with families, service providers, and community partners to ensure effective service coordination.
• Effective Communication: Utilize proper communication channels to express
• concerns or conflicts, offering input and solutions.
• Participate in Meetings & Trainings: Attend staff meetings, professional development sessions, and community outreach events to maintain up-to-date knowledge and foster continuous engagement.
• Compliance: Adhere to all ethical and regulatory guidelines, including HIPAA, state regulations, and confidentiality protocols, ensuring that all interactions remain professional and compliant.

4. Program Improvement & Client-Centered Care:

• Advocate for Service Improvement: Provide input to leadership on the refinement of service delivery models to meet the evolving needs of families.
• Client-Centered Care: Regularly assess service quality based on client feedback, program evaluations, and emerging trends to ensure that services are comprehensive and meet client needs.
• Continuous Improvement: Contribute to Performance/Quality Improvement (PQI) initiatives aimed at enhancing the responsiveness, effectiveness, and innovation of services.

Personal and Professional Qualifications:

Required Skills & Experience:

• Lived Experience: Personal experience navigating complex systems such as mental health, child welfare, substance use recovery, or probation services, ideally as a youth or caregiver.
• Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal and written communication skills, with the ability to advocate effectively for families and collaborate with diverse groups of stakeholders.
• Conflict Resolution & Crisis Management: Ability to handle escalated situations in a safe and constructive manner, using conflict resolution strategies and de-escalation techniques.
• Empathy & Compassion: Ability to deeply connect with families through shared lived experience, offering meaningful support and guidance.
• Cultural Competence: Ability to work effectively with families from varied cultural, economic, and social backgrounds, and to adapt support services accordingly.
• Technology Skills: Proficiency with basic office software and technology platforms for documentation, communication, and scheduling.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Educational Background: two years' education in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field and/or two years of relevant work/lived experience in peer support, advocacy, or related fields are preferred.
• Knowledge of Local Systems: Familiarity with Alaska’s behavioral health system, including IEPs, 504 plans, Special Education, and other community-based services.
• Experience in Family-Driven Services: Knowledge of family-driven approaches to service delivery and the ability to incorporate these principles into peer support and advocacy practices.

Core Competencies:

• Conflict Resolution: Proficient in resolving conflicts and de-escalating high-stress situations.
• Adaptability & Initiative: Ability to adapt to changing needs and proactively address challenges and improve services.
• Community Engagement: Expertise in representing the organization's mission and values within the community, and in building strong partnerships with external organizations.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

• Physical Capacity: The role requires the ability to carry up to 50 pounds for event or program-related tasks.
• Vehicle Requirements: The position requires access to a reliable vehicle with insurance that meets state requirements for professional duties.
• Work Environment: The work environment is generally quiet to moderately noisy, with occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts and vehicles. Accommodation will be made necessary to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
• Maintain a clean and welcoming environment

Background Check & Training:

• Background Check: A full background check is required for this position, as it involves direct contact with children and vulnerable individuals. Please refer to alaska.gov for background check requirements and variance process and let us know on application or at time of interview if a variance is needed.
• Training: The successful candidate must complete all required training by the conclusion of their probationary period.