As a Certified Family Peer Specialist, you will partner with youth, their families, a Wraparound Facilitator, and interdisciplinary team members to support the voice of youth and their families, ensure access to needed resources, and prioritize the family’s ownership within their Wraparound Plan of Care. This role will serve as a supportive mentor to youth and their caregivers and as an engaged Wraparound Team member. The Certified Family Peer Specialist draws on their own personal experiences (past or current) accessing mental health services for a child to model wellness, offer hope, provide encouragement, and empower a caregiver’s ability to support the family’s Plan of Care.

This position requires completion of the Department of Human Services-approved Certified Family Peer Specialist Training and certification exam. Applicants will be asked to provide personal information during the interview process.

Essential Duties:

• Develop trust and mutual respect with youth, caregivers and their teams
• Ensure regular contact and visits with caregivers
• Provide parent to parent mentoring and serve as a liaison for families to services decided upon within the Wraparound Plan of Care
• Share their personal story of parenting a youth with mental illness in an efficient, ethical and helpful way
• Provide support and advocacy for youth and families, including continuously expanding knowledge of community resources, services and programs available
• Assist families in identifying, recruiting and engaging natural supports
• Partner with Wraparound Facilitator to ensure the Wraparound process is completed with high fidelity to the model and tracks progress towards goals
• Complete all required documentation in a timely, legible manner
• Contribute to and supports a positive, team-oriented work environment
• Display cultural competence by responding respectfully, non-judgmentally, curiously, and effectively to people of diverse backgrounds

Requirements:

• Has a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
• Is at least 21 years of age
• Will work towards certification as MN DHS-approved Certified Family Peer Specialist if not already certified
• Have raised or are currently raising a child with mental illness
• Past personal experience accessing mental health services and community resources to meet the needs of their own child(ren) and family

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and to handle confidential information
• Ability to work independently
• Valid Driver’s License/ Auto Insurance/ Reliable Vehicle
• Competent in the use of computers
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Demonstrated ability to interact with persons at all levels of an organization, industry and community
• Ability to work from a strengths-based perspective

Working Conditions:

• Possible exposure to upset, angry, severely traumatized or emotionally disturbed children, adolescents, parents and extended families
• Possible interactions with individuals who are using drugs/alcohol
• May be visiting parents in environments such as homes, community settings or treatment facilities