Certified Parent Peer Specialist

Graceworks Lutheran Services; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Wisconsin Community Services (WCS) is seeking a compassionate Parent Peer Specialist to support parents of youth enrolled in Wraparound Milwaukee. You will leverage lived experience to guide families, build trust, and navigate complex systems with empathy.

The role emphasizes community-based visits, collaboration with the Wraparound team, and advocacy to ensure youth and family needs are met. Flexible hours and supervision are provided.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED/HSED required.
• Graduate of state-approved Parent Peer Specialist training.
• Current Certified Parent Peer Specialist certification, or ability to obtain certification within one year of employment.
• Lived experience parenting a youth with mental health, substance use, co-occurring, juvenile justice, and/or significant life needs.
• Ability to complete required Wraparound training.
• Ability to meet agency and contractor requirements for background checks, driving record, and references.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with children, young adults, parents, caregivers, and families.
• Ability to remain calm and respond appropriately during crisis situations.
• Computer skills and accurate documentation abilities.
• Ability to meet deadlines and follow oral and written instructions.
• Cultural competence and ability to work with diverse identities.
• Valid driver’s license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one peer support to parents and caregivers in community settings, including family homes.
• Use lived experience to build trusting relationships with youth and families.
• Help families navigate mental health/behavioral health, youth justice, child welfare, and other systems.
• Advocate with parents and caregivers so their needs are heard by the Child and Family Team.
• Identify and reduce crisis triggers and strengthen parenting and crisis-management skills.
• Model effective parenting, recovery, problem-solving, and crisis-management strategies.
• Provide education and support to families before, during, and after crises.
• Assist the Wraparound team in understanding family needs and developing practical strategies.
• Work with families to identify community supports and natural supports.
• Collaborate with Care Coordinator to build relationships with community organizations.
• Participate in weekly supervision and trainings.

Skills

Written & Verbal comms

Lived experience parent

Crisis management

Driver's license

Wraparound training

Education

High School Diploma

Parent Peer Specialist training

Certified Parent Peer Specialist

Job description

Job Code: 2026-PSL-006

Location: Milwaukee

Department: Peer Specialist Limited

FT/PT Status: Full Time

Job Responsibilities:

Wisconsin Community Services (WCS)

Pay: $18.00 - $24.00 per hour

Join the WCS Team

At WCS, our people make the difference. We’re looking for individuals who share our commitment to Respect, Justice, Integrity, and the Pursuit of Excellence - people who value others, do what’s right, strive to grow, and bring their best to the work every day. If these values reflect who you are, we’d love to have you join us.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a compassionate and dependable Parent Peer Specialist who brings both professional skills and meaningful lived experience to support parents and caregivers of youth enrolled in Wraparound Milwaukee.

You’ll use your personal experience parenting a youth with mental health, substance use, co-occurring, juvenile justice, child welfare, or significant life needs to provide hope, encouragement, and practical support to families. You’ll help parents recognize their strengths, build confidence, navigate systems, reduce crises, and actively participate as partners in their child’s care.

What You’ll Do

As a Parent Peer Specialist, you’ll walk alongside parents and caregivers as they navigate the Wraparound process and systems serving their children.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Provide one-to-one peer support to parents and caregivers in community settings, including family homes.
• Use your lived experience to build trusting, professional relationships with youth and families.
• Help families navigate mental health/behavioral health, youth justice, child welfare, and other systems.
• Advocate alongside parents and caregivers so their needs, perspectives, and voices are heard, understood, and respected by the Child and Family Team.
• Work directly with families to identify and reduce crisis triggers and strengthen parenting and crisis-management skills.
• Model effective parenting, recovery, problem-solving, and crisis-management strategies.
• Provide education and support to families before, during, and after crises.
• Help the Wraparound team understand family needs and develop practical strategies to address them.
• Work with families to identify sustainable community supports, resources, and natural support networks.
• Partner with the Care Coordinator to develop strong relationships with community organizations serving Milwaukee youth and families.
• Collaborate closely with the Wraparound team to ensure youth and family needs are addressed.
• Support youth and families in accessing mental health services by accompanying them to appointments and community activities when appropriate.
• Attend and actively participate in Child and Family Team Meetings.
• Assist with the development and implementation of Plans of Care and Crisis Plans.
• Complete required documentation in a timely, accurate, and strengths-based manner.
• Attend and actively participate in weekly supervision.
• Participate in in-services, staffing, weekly and monthly meetings, consultations, and other required trainings.
• Provide coverage for coworkers as needed.
• Perform other job-related duties necessary to support the program and families.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED/HSED required.
• Graduate of state-approved Parent Peer Specialist training.
• Current Certified Parent Peer Specialist certification, or ability to obtain certification within one year of employment.
• Lived experience parenting a youth with mental health, substance use, co-occurring, juvenile justice, and/or significant life needs.
• Ability to complete required Wraparound training.
• Ability to meet agency and contractor requirements for criminal and caregiver background checks, driving record, and references.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with children, young adults, parents, caregivers, and families.
• Ability to remain calm and respond appropriately during crisis situations.
• Computer skills and accurate documentation abilities.
• Ability to meet deadlines and follow oral and written instructions.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and the ability to work respectfully and effectively with people of different cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, abilities, and other diverse identities.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable automobile, and sufficient insurance to meet agency requirements preferred.

We’re especially interested in someone who demonstrates a strengths-based, person-centered, culturally responsive, and recovery-oriented approach and who is committed to using lived experience to support youth and families.

What to Expect

This is a community-based, relationship-focused position. You’ll spend time both in the office and throughout Milwaukee County, including visits with families in their homes and other community settings.

You can expect:

• Approximately 40 hours per week with a flexible schedule. Part-time hours are available.
• Some evening and weekend hours based on family and program needs.
• Significant community outreach and frequent driving throughout Milwaukee County.
• A combination of office work, community-based support, home visits, appointments, meetings, and family activities.
• Opportunities to work alongside Care Coordinators, clinicians, program staff, community organizations, schools, courts, child welfare professionals, and other partners.
• Regular weekly supervision and ongoing professional development.
• Collaborative environment focused on family strengths, recovery, partnership, and meaningful outcomes for youth and families.
• A role where your lived experience can be a valuable tool for helping other parents feel understood, supported, and empowered.

Physical Requirements

This position is mobile and requires time in the community, including home visits and office-based work. The role requires driving throughout Milwaukee County and the ability to navigate stairs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

In this role, you’ll be expected to:

• Follow the agency Code of Conduct and all applicable policies, procedures, and funding requirements.
• Maintain professional, respectful, and ethical relationships with families, coworkers, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, disability, and individual life experiences.
• Promote recovery and hope in every interaction.
• Use a strengths-based and person-centered approach.
• Respect family voice, choice, and participation.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Demonstrate reliability, accountability, and professionalism.
• Contribute positively to the mission and values of the agency.

If you are a parent with meaningful lived experience who wants to use what you’ve learned to help other families navigate challenging systems, build on their strengths, and create positive change, this role offers an opportunity to make that experience matter.

Wisconsin Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability, status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.