Location: Frederick,MD, USA
>> Family Peer Support Specialist / Mental Health - Southern MD Family Peer Support Specialist / Mental Health - Southern MD Summary Title:Family Peer Support Specialist / Mental Health - Southern MDID:1268Location:CaliforniaDescription **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 caregiver to an adult with mental health challenges.**
**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 Marylands families. Our staff provide one-to-one support to parents and caregivers of people with mental health, substance use or gambling issues. 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 Calvert and St. Mary's counties. The candidate must have personal (not work related) experience as a primary caregiver of an 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.
**Essential Duties and Responsibilities**
* Provide education and support to families with a child, youth or adult with mental health needs 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 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; providing guidance in completing forms; supporting families to understand their rights; reviewing documents such as IEPs or reports with families; accompanying families to meetings; and educating families on laws, policies and procedures.
* Build and maintain strong partnerships with agencies and providers of services related to behavioral health and other systems.
* Facilitate training workshops in assigned region for families as assigned in contract deliverables.
* Administrative duties
**Qualifications**
* Personal (not work related) experience as a primary caregiver of an adult who has/had mental health needs, is required.
* High school diploma or equivalent.
* Must live in Calvert or St. Mary's county.
* Familiarity with state and local resources and knowledge of how to access them.
* 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.
* Current Maryland drivers license and access to own vehicle; some in-state travel required.
* Successful completion of a background check.
**Hours/Compensation**
* 40 hours/week
* Monday - Friday days, with some flexibility
* Salary is $17.00 per hour with benefits package
**To apply:**
To be considered for this position, apply on our website , by submitting your resume and a cover letter describing your interest in this position and relevant experience caring for an adult with mental health challenges.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please note that mailed or faxed resumes will not be considered. No phone calls please.
**Diversity**
In line with MCFs commitment to building a talented and inclusive staff, women, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. 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.
key words: mental health, social services, case manager, anxiety, depression, Alzheimers, dementia, peer support, casework, nonprofit, entry level,