What are the responsibilities and job description for the Family Peer Support Specialist position at New Directions Youth and Family Services?
Job Title: Family Peer Support Specialist
Department: CFTSS
Position Summary
The Family Peer Support Specialist delivers direct services for the Family Support Program – Niagara Frontier Family Network. Drawing from lived experience as a parent or caregiver, the Specialist provides formal and informal supports to families raising children with social, emotional, developmental, medical, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges. The goal is to help children remain in the community while achieving goals identified in their treatment plans. Support includes outreach, advocacy, skill-building, and group facilitation
Department
The Family Support Program helps families navigate child-serving systems by providing advocacy, peer-led groups, and individualized support. It empowers caregivers to overcome barriers, strengthen family resilience, and develop leadership skills
Agency
New Directions Youth & Family Services is an equal opportunity employer committed to championing the principles of anti-racism, justice, and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds, for all positions, who will uphold our values and contribute to our mission. We aim to have a leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.
Benefits
$35.00 per hour
Hours/Schedule
Approximately 10 hours per week, flexible schedule with some evening availability as needed
Professional Development Opportunities
Individual Family Support
We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleagues develop these preferred skills. We strongly encourage those who are passionate about fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable human service organization to apply.
Department: CFTSS
Position Summary
The Family Peer Support Specialist delivers direct services for the Family Support Program – Niagara Frontier Family Network. Drawing from lived experience as a parent or caregiver, the Specialist provides formal and informal supports to families raising children with social, emotional, developmental, medical, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges. The goal is to help children remain in the community while achieving goals identified in their treatment plans. Support includes outreach, advocacy, skill-building, and group facilitation
Department
The Family Support Program helps families navigate child-serving systems by providing advocacy, peer-led groups, and individualized support. It empowers caregivers to overcome barriers, strengthen family resilience, and develop leadership skills
Agency
New Directions Youth & Family Services is an equal opportunity employer committed to championing the principles of anti-racism, justice, and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds, for all positions, who will uphold our values and contribute to our mission. We aim to have a leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.
Benefits
- Flexible schedule to accommodate family and client needs
- Opportunities for training, professional development, and credentialing support
- Supportive agency culture with long-term staff retention
$35.00 per hour
Hours/Schedule
Approximately 10 hours per week, flexible schedule with some evening availability as needed
Professional Development Opportunities
- Completion of Family Peer Advocate Core Training / Parent Empowerment Program (PEP) Levels 1 & 2
- Family Assessment of Needs and Strengths (FANS) training
- Minimum 20 hours of continuing education every two years for credential renewal
- Ongoing in-service training and supervision
Individual Family Support
- Provide outreach and advocacy to parents/caregivers of youth with emotional or behavioral health needs
- Conduct assessments using the Family Assessment of Needs and Strengths (FANS)
- Assist families with engagement, bridging, and transitions between services
- Empower families to make informed decisions and build advocacy skills
- Provide skill development, leadership opportunities, and transition support
- Facilitate support groups across Niagara County on topics such as advocacy, self-esteem, and parenting skills
- Identify and train parent group leaders/facilitators
- Arrange guest speakers and skill-building activities
- Support networking and transportation coordination among families
- Collaborate with formal systems, service providers, and informal networks
- Attend Single Point of Access meetings as needed
- Maintain accurate and timely case records, assessments, and service plans
- Record group sessions, participation, and outcomes
- Conduct satisfaction surveys and discharge documentation
- Adhere to Medicaid billing and agency documentation requirements
- Complete required credential training and continuing education
- Attend mandatory in-service trainings and regular supervision
- Adhere to agency policies, Family Peer Advocate Code of Ethics, and safety standards
- Ability to connect with families through lived experience
- Strong advocacy, facilitation, and organizational skills
- Flexibility to adapt to family and program needs
- Effective collaboration with diverse families, staff, and providers
- Valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and ability to meet agency driving criteria
- Required: Demonstrated lived experience as a parent/caregiver who has navigated multiple child-serving systems
- Required: High School Diploma, equivalency, or State Education Commencement Credential (may be waived with sufficient competencies and lived experience)
- Preferred: Family Peer Advocate (FPA) credential or Certified Recovery Peer Advocate – Family Specialty (CRPA-F); must obtain within required timeframe if not already held
- Required: Valid driver’s license and ability to comply with agency safety standards
We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleagues develop these preferred skills. We strongly encourage those who are passionate about fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable human service organization to apply.
Salary : $35
