MARYLAND COALITION OF FAMILIES

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Employment Opportunities >> Family Peer Support Specialist for Early Childhood - Western Maryland
Family Peer Support Specialist for Early Childhood - Western Maryland
Summary
Title:Family Peer Support Specialist for Early Childhood - Western Maryland
ID:1159
Location:Frederick
Description

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 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. 

Overview
Maryland Coalition of Families (MCF) has a part-time (20 hour/week) employment opportunity for a Family Peer Support Specialist (FPSS) to serve families in the following Western Maryland counties: Garrett, Allegany, Washington, Frederick and Carroll.  The candidate must have personal (not work) experience as a primary caregiver of child aged 0-5, with either behavioral health or developmental needs.  After training and orientation, the Family Peer Support Specialist will provide family-to-family outreach, support, education, advocacy, coaching, information, referrals and follow-up to families seeking assistance regarding concerns about their infant or toddler’s behavioral health, development or growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Build and maintain strong partnerships with agencies and providers of services related to early childhood systems.
  • Connect, support and empower families having an infant and/or a toddler with behavioral health and/or developmental concerns.
  • 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 IFSPs, 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.
  • For families enrolled in Targeted Case Management or the 1915i Waiver, partner with Care Coordinators/Wraparound facilitator throughout the stages of the Wraparound facilitated process, including intake, engaging family members, developing a child and family team, and serving on child and family team.  Implement all assigned tasks within the plan of care.
  • For families not currently enrolled in Targeted Case Management or the 1915i, provide information about the programs and facilitate connection to the regional CCO provider as appropriate.
  • Ensure that families are equal partners in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating their own plans.
  • Facilitate training workshops in assigned region for families as assigned in contract deliverables.
  • Partner with other members of the Peer Support team to create and maintain a centralized, updated directory of behavioral health resources, including support meetings, screening and referrals for treatment, family education groups therapeutic and/or pro-social recreation, volunteer training opportunities and other services designed to meet the needs of their family.
  • Collaborate with other MCF staff to develop support and educational programs that empower families.
  • Partner with other MCF staff to serve families of youth/young adults with complex needs.
  • Administrative duties to include maintaining client files, submitting required documentation, active participation in supervision and in MCF internal and external training opportunities. 

 

Qualifications

  • Personal, lived experience as a primary caregiver raising a youth who has intensive behavioral health and/or developmental needs is required. Preference to those that can articulate identifying these needs prior to the age of five and accessing available 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.
  • Familiarity with state and local resources and knowledge of how to access them, specifically the early childhood serving systems. 
  • Willingness and strong ability to build and maintain partnerships with agencies and providers.
  • Active listening skills for providing non-judgmental 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.
  • Ability or willingness to learn how to use a database (Salesforce).
  • 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

  • 20 hours/week
  • Flexible work schedule with some telecommuting expected
  • Salary commensurate with experience. Salary range $15 -19 per hour
 

To apply:

To be considered for this position, apply on our website www.mdcoalition.org, by submitting your resume and a cover letter describing your interest in this position and relevant experience caring for a child aged 0-5, with either behavioral health or developmental needs. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  Please note that mailed or faxed resumes will not be considered. No phone calls please. 

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.

 

This opening is closed and is no longer accepting applications
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