Family Peer Support Specialist

Job Summary: Position will require frequent travel within a 7 county region

The Family Peer Support Specialist provides mentoring and support to parents/caregivers of children with severe emotional disabilities through the use of various relevant modalities, primarily through use of lived experience as a parent/caregiver of child with a mental health and/or substance use disorder.

Essential Functions:

• Establishes and maintains a regional support and information network for parents and families of children with emotional disabilities.
• Teaches, coaches, mentors, and models for parents and caregivers regarding basic communication skills and advocacy training, resource identification and management, coping skill development, etc.
• Assists parents in locating available resources for their child and in understanding the rights of the child regarding these agencies and advocating for clients and families in relevant situations.
• Maintains timely documentation of services provided including billing documentation required in the Avatar system, requiring entry within 48 hours of service.
• Serves as an active member or consultant for children’s treatment teams by assisting in treatment plan development.
• Establishes and maintains parent support groups throughout the community, disseminating relevant information to families, empowering group members to assume leadership roles within the group, etc.
• Responds by phone or letter in a timely manner to parent/caregiver requests for assistance.
• Attends mandatory in-services, team meeting, and other training/educational programs as required, both internally and with external local, regional, and state organizations.
• Fosters collaborative working relationships among members of the leadership and management teams and programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Why Choose RiverValley?

RiverValley is now a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), expanding access to high-quality, integrated care in the communities we serve. Join a mission-driven organization committed to clinical excellence, professional growth, and meaningful impact.

We offer:

• Competitive pay

• Comprehensive benefits (health, dental, vision, Telehealth)

• Paid time off + 9 holidays

• Retirement plan options

• Tuition reimbursement + free CEUs

• Clinical supervision

• Wellness & employee assistance programs

• Mileage reimbursement for work related travel

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - eligible employer 

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma or GED
• Must be a parent or relative caregiver with permanent legal custody who is raising or has raised a child with an emotional, social, behavioral, and/or substance use disability, and whose child had been a client of at least one state-funded service for children with SED.
• LICENSURE/ CERTIFICATION:
  • Must successfully complete core competency training administered by the statewide family network and demonstrate an understanding of the System of Care philosophy, the Wraparound Process, etc.
  • Required to seek continuous professional development training in order to maintain professional status and meet Medicaid and/or SIAC requirements.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Exceptional organizational abilities.
• Must be willing to work flexible hours and be able to travel within the region served.
• Must maintain a non-judgmental attitude toward children with SED and their families.
• Must have the ability to work with families from diverse cultural, religious, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Demonstrates flexibility in problem-solving and the ability to deal with various situations that arise.
• Personal characteristics must include common sense, ability to adhere to policies, procedures, and code of ethics, demonstration of healthy boundaries, enthusiasm, team involvement, willingness to learn, open mindedness, etc.