Employment Opportunities

This is an excellent opportunity for people who want to help families in need!

We seek people who have had personal experience (not work related) as a parent or caregiver of a child/adolescent who has/had mental health needs (such as anxiety, depression, autism, ADHD, bipolar disorder, etc.) and who may have been involved with the Department of Juvenile Services. 

As a Family Peer Support Specialist, you will use your personal experience to help families in need of emotional support, resources and understanding of various systems, as they support their family through this difficult time. 

Who We Are
Founded in 1999, Maryland Coalition of Families (MCF) is a statewide nonprofit with a central office in Columbia, Md., and staff located in communities throughout the state. Using personal experience as parents, caregivers, youth and other loved ones, we connect, support and empower Maryland’s families. Our staff provide one-to-one support to parents and caregivers of young people with mental health issues, parents and caregivers of young people involved with the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), and to any loved one who cares for someone with a substance use or gambling issue. We also advocate to improve systems that impact individuals with behavioral health challenges.

Family Peer Support Specialist Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide education and support to families referred from DJS to negotiate their way through the social, legal, educational and health care systems.
• Facilitate a process for families to develop a plan to: clarify the problem(s); provide emotional support; identify needs and strengths; and identify resources including appropriate levels of services, entitlements, community resources and other natural supports.
• Assist families and youth to build their own community based support network, and ensure that their goals are integrated into one unified plan as necessary.
• Facilitate families accessing supports and services by: sharing information about resources and supports; making phone calls to connect families with resources; providing guidance in completing forms and applications; supporting families to fully understand their rights; reviewing documents such as IEPs or reports with families to ensure they fully understand documents; empowering families to effectively articulate their concerns and needs; accompanying families to meetings; and educating families on laws, policies and procedures.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with DJS staff as well as agencies and providers of services related to behavioral health and other child-serving systems.
• Facilitate training workshops and open house events in assigned region for families that are involved with DJS and with other community partners.
• Collaborate with other MCF staff to develop supportive and educational programs that empower families.
• Administrative duties to include maintaining client files, submitting required documentation, and in MCF internal and external training opportunities.

Family Peer Support Specialist Qualifications

• Personal, lived experience as a primary caregiver of a youth, adolescent or young adult who has/had intensive mental health needs or substance use challenges is required.
• Personal, lived experience with the Department of Juvenile Services on behalf of a youth, adolescent, or young adult is desired, but not required. May not have a youth with a current, open case with the Department of Juvenile Services.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Prior experience assisting other families to obtain appropriate services and supports for their child and family members is desirable but not required.
• Must live in Baltimore City or Baltimore County.
• Familiarity with state and local resources and how to access them.
• Strong ability to build and maintain partnerships with agencies and providers.
• Active listening skills for providing peer support and engagement to families.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong computer skills, and the ability to efficiently utilize internet search to identify resources.
• Current Maryland driver’s license and access to own vehicle; in-state travel required.
• Successful completion of a background check (required for all MCF employees).

Hours/Compensation

• 40 hours/week with benefits including paid time off, health plans 401(k) and more!
• Flexible work schedule
• Salary commensurate with experience. Salary range $16-19 per hour.

To apply
Apply on our website at www.mdcoalition.org. 

To be considered for this position, you must submit (along with your resume) a cover letter describing your relevant lived experience as the primary caregiver or loved one of an individual with mental health challenges and if applicable, who has been involved with the Department of Juvenile Services. Please provide details regarding what services and resources you have used to support your loved one.

Diversity
Maryland Coalition of Families is committed to hiring a diverse and talented workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer – all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other classification protected by applicable discrimination laws.

Key words:  human services, social work, family specialist, juvenile services, entry level, remote, home based, peer support, mental health, care provider, case worker