Employment Opportunities

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 full-time (40 hours per week) employment opportunity for a Family Peer Support Specialist (FPSS) to serve families in Prince George’s county. The candidate must have personal (not work related) experience as a primary caregiver of a youth, adolescent or young adult who has/had mental health needs. After training and orientation, the Family Peer Support Specialist will provide family-to-family support, education, advocacy, coaching, information, referrals and follow-up to families seeking assistance. The FPSS will work in partnership with the Prince George’s County Health Department and the System of Care Core team to support the children’s behavioral health system in Prince George’s County to implement the values of family-driven and youth-guided peer support.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
* Due to COVID-19, MCF is following all safety precautions and currently working remotely with no personal contact or travel.

• Provide education and support to families with youth, adolescents and young adults with mental health needs to negotiate their way through the social, legal, educational and health care systems.
• 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.
• Administrative duties to include maintaining client files, submitting required documentation, active participation in supervision and in MCF internal and external training opportunities.
• Represent MCF at management meetings as needed, monthly Core Team meetings, and required training programs.
• Provide leadership within the community and work with the System of Care (SOC) Director/designee and/or Core Team to develop family support and educational programs that empower families.
• Build partnerships with County mental health program staff, youth-serving agencies, and community partners to promote value and invest in family involvement activities in an effort to sustain family involvement activities outside of federal funding.
• Provide outreach to targeted families to make them aware of Family Peer Support Services and/or project services identified within the System of Care grant.
• Coordinate ongoing training and technical assistance to: build family leadership; build family and professional partnerships; implement family- driven practices; and identify, recruit, prepare, and support family and professional leaders to be co-trainers and presenters.
• Attend designated outreach events to let families know about services and supports.
• Host workshops, family fun events and conduct support groups for families.

Qualifications

• Personal (not work related) experience as a primary caregiver of a youth, adolescent or young adult who has/had mental health needs, is required.
• Minimum of two years of experience assisting other families to obtain appropriate services and supports for their child and family members.
• Minimum of three years of experience implementing family programs and training family members, consumers, and providers working in children’s mental health (preferred) or related field, and/or supervisory experience in family program planning, development, and coordination.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must live in Prince George’s county.
• Familiarity with state and local resources and knowledge of how to access them.
• 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.
• Current Maryland driver’s license and access to own vehicle; most travel is within the county and some in-state travel required for training and conferences.
• Successful completion of a background check (required for all MCF employees).

Hours/Compensation

• 40 hours/week
• Flexible work schedule with some telecommuting expected
• Salary $19 per hour
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k), generous paid leave & more

To apply

To be considered for this position, you must submit a resume and cover letter describing your interest in this position and relevant experience caring for a youth or young adult with behavioral health challenges.  Please provide details regarding what services and resources you have used to support your loved one. 

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.