Family Peer Support Specialist

STARK COUNTY FAMILY COUNCIL

 An Equal Opportunity Employer

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Family Peer Support Specialist  

Dept./Div.: Stark County Family Council                         Employment Status: Part-Time

Reports To: Program Coordinator                                   FLSA Status: Overtime Exempt

Pay: Hourly Range – Based on Qualifications and Experience

        $17/hr. @ 20-30 hours/week     

                   Service Area: Wayne, Medina, Holmes & Ashland Counties                              

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Family Peer Support Specialist (FPSS) will be responsible for providing family support services for the families of youth ages 0 through 21, with complex, multi-system needs and/or in need of community linkage and consultation to families. The FPSS will empower parents/guardians with knowledge of community resources, providing an understanding of rights, explanation of the service coordination process and any additional options that will help families increase their functioning across life domains.  

The FPSS will build relationships with community providers and encourage the strengthening of family relationships by creating an atmosphere of trust, cultural competence and emotional security. The FPSS should help to set ground rules to ensure the family is aware of confidentiality and mandated reporter status.

The FPSS will be expected to have 40%-50% face-to-face time with caregivers and their families.  

QUALIFICATIONS:

High School Diploma/equivalent and at least two years’ experience working with high-risk youth and their families. Personal experience as a recipient of supportive services and a willingness to self-identify as a service recipient. The successful candidate must demonstrate successful completion of the NAMI or FREDLA Family Peer Support Certification or the ability to complete the required training quickly following hire. The training will be provided by Stark County Family Council.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License and adequate insurability.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION: 

1. Provide family support services for caregivers of youth ages 0 through 21 years old with complex needs

1. Maintain average caseload of 8-15 families in differing phases of service coordination or families involved with community linkage and consultation only

1. Help families understand the system of care process

1. Provide service linkage and consultation services to families

1. Employ strategies to facilitate family engagement

1. Empower parents/guardians by providing knowledge of community resources and assist them in obtaining those services

1. Help the family in identifying their strengths and needs

1. Assist the family with prioritizing their goals

1. Help the family to identify both formal and informal supports

1. Be a liaison between families and community providers

1. Create a Goal Sheet if necessary

1. Follow up, communicate and support the family

1. Ensure that gaps in services are identified and addressed

1. Documentation of service coordination activities

1. Familiarity with additional strength-based, therapeutic care models

1. Participate in individual and group supervision meetings with the Program Coordinator and Stark FCFC Executive Director

1. Attend regularly scheduled meetings to engage with community stakeholders

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Performs other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: necessary to perform duties (* indicates developed after employment).

Knowledge of: Family Peer Support; service coordination; therapeutic treatment models; strength-based program models; resiliency principles, community resources; departmental policies and procedures*; database reporting software*

Skill in: Analyzing problems, developing and implementing solutions; utilization of computer applications (e.g. Microsoft Office, Electronic Health Records, Data Collection Systems); written and oral communication; organization and time management; collaboration and partnership; facilitation of relationships between families and community agency representatives; team building

Ability to: Develop effective working relationships with complex needs youth and their families; work independently in the family’s home and a variety of community and/or treatment settings; uphold the highest standards of integrity for the Family Peer Support program; collaborate and partner with formal and informal community resources; communicate to help implement cross-system service coordination; ability to coordinate, resolve conflicts, problem solve, and form consensus among diverse groups of people; collect, analyze, and interpret data; prepare and maintain accurate documentation; follow verbal and/or written instructions; communicate effectively; work flexible hours

EQUIPMENT OPERATED:  The following are examples only and are not intended to be all inclusive.

Computer, calculator, automobile and other standard office equipment.

INHERENTLY HAZARDOUS OR PHYSICALLY DEMANDING WORKING CONDITIONS:

This position will be responsible for meeting families where they are most comfortable, within reason. This includes the residences of families, schools, libraries, etc. to support the Family Peer Support Program. Condition of meeting locations cannot always be anticipated and may be less than desirable.

This position description in no manner states or implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities to be performed by the position incumbent. 

Salary : $17