Family Resource Specialist — Peer Support

The Center for Youth and Family Solutions; Solaize; On-site; EUR 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

37.5 hour work week

Paid holidays

Paid vacation days

Paid sick days

Paid parental leave

Educational assistance

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Tuition assistance

Employee assistance program

Counseling sessions

Job summary

The Center for Youth and Family Solutions is seeking a Family Resource Developer / Family Peer Support Specialist to provide family peer support and resource navigation for children and families with behavioral health needs. You will draw on lived experience to build trust, guide families through complex systems, and help them access essential services.

The role supports the R.E.S.T. program and related SASS Mobile Crisis and Family Support across Central Illinois, coordinating appointments,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Family Therapy, Counseling or Psychology, or closely related Human Service field.

Responsibilities

• Provide family peer support, mentoring, encouragement, and practical assistance to parents and caregivers of children and youth with behavioral health needs.
• Participate in on-call rotation and respond to Mobile Crisis Response and Stabilization Support (MRSS) services.
• Use lived experience to build trust, promote hope, and strengthen caregiver confidence in navigating the behavioral health system.
• Support the development and implementation of the R.E.S.T. Program to strengthen behavioral health supports for children and families across Central Illinois.
• Help families access outpatient psychiatric treatment, designated psychiatric appointments, stabilization services, transportation assistance, documentation supports, and other needed behavioral health resources.
• Coordinate access to CYFS-designated psychiatric appointments with the psychiatric provider partner and assist families with appointment preparation and attendance barriers.
• Collaborate with SASS/MRSS crisis-response team, schools, hospitals, and community partners to promote continuity of care.
• Attend meetings with families and service providers to advocate for family needs and coordinate services.
• Educate families about available services and how to use supports effectively.
• Complete timely service documentation and contribute to program evaluation and grant reporting.

Skills

Caregiver experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related Human Service field

Job description

The Center for Youth and Family Solutions is seeking a Family Resource Developer / Family Peer Support Specialist to provide family peer support and resource navigation for children and families with behavioral health needs. You will draw on lived experience to build trust, guide families through complex systems, and help them access essential services.

The role supports the R.E.S.T. program and related SASS Mobile Crisis and Family Support across Central Illinois, coordinating appointments,