Certified Parent Peer Specialist

Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A community mental health organization located in Wichita, Kansas is seeking a Certified Parent Peer Specialist to support parents with children facing serious emotional disturbances. This role involves providing direct service, assisting with crisis plans, and developing connections with local resources. Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with families and service providers are essential. A valid Kansas driver's license is also required.

Qualifications

• Applicants must have lived experience in raising a youth with SED, Substance Use, or co-occurring.
• Knowledge of youth and mental health, school resources, community resources, housing alternatives, and vocational services is preferred.
• Ability to write and communicate verbally in a clear and concise fashion.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct service to families, establishing collaborative relationships.
• Completes necessary training and documentation accurately.
• Assists parents with accessing community resources and support.

Skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

Lived experience raising a child with SED, Substance Use, or co-occurring conditions

Tools

Computer literacy

Job description

Certified Parent Peer Specialist

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO: Children’s Coordinator

POSITIONS SUPERVISED: N/A

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Certified Parent Peer Specialist provides a specialized service that supports parents with children who have Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), Substance Use, or co-occurring conditions. This service is provided to support the stabilization of the child and enhance the family’s quality of life. The Certified Parent Peer Specialist is required to have lived experience raising a child with SED, Substance Use, or co-occurring conditions. This position is also required to complete the KDADS certification and training process to become a certified Parent Peer Support Specialist.

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Completes training and certification process in a timely manner as outlined by supervisor and the training and certification process.

2. 62.5% of clocked in time will be providing direct service.

3. Initiates and maintains a professional and collaborative relationship with Family’s Together. Utilizes Families Together as a resource.

4. Meets face-to-face with parents to assist and provide interventions for child to meet identified goals.

5. Meets deadlines and ensures accuracy of all documentation, mileage, and electronic timesheets.

6. Maintains accurate and medically necessary documentation of service provision through progress notes. Completes progress notes in a manner that individualizes each note, reflecting appropriate interventions and progress towards goals. Concurrent documentation is expected in collaboration with the parents.

7. Progress notes will be completed and signed either the same day of the service or by 9:00 the following business day. Notes for services that are completed on Friday will be completed and signed by the end of that day.

8. Certified Parent Peer Specialist will assist parents with participation, education, and support during times of child’s hospitalization, with focus on the transition of treatment from hospitals back home. Parent Peer Support will aid parents in ensuring follow-up care within 3 days after hospitalization, developing transition plans, ensuring all medication information is updated and assessing community safety as appropriate.

9. Certified Parent Peer Specialist will assist parents with problem solving, accessing resources, completing referrals, treatment plan reviews, scheduling to meet identified needs/goals, facilitation and coordination of ancillary services and ensuring follow up with appointments.

10. This position services as a liaison between providers and parents as needed for service coordination and mutual understanding of treatment needs.

11. Participates in the treatment plan process with families to ensure parents are supported and assisting with updates and goal development as needed.

12. Provides access to supports by assisting parents in obtaining access to needed medical, social, educational, employment and other services – including assisting with arranging transportation to needed services.

13. Employs strategies in working with parents using Evidence Based or Best Practice interventions. Ensures family support by increasing the knowledge of their support system about the youth’s condition, and advocating on behalf of the client/family.

14. Monitors status of youth and provides level of personal and other supports needed for parents consistent with youth status. Provides referrals to community supports and resources to ensure that needed services are available and accessed such as long-term care, substance abuse services, housing, transportation, employment, personal care, and basic needs.

15. Demonstrates excellent communication with Case Managers and other service providers to maintain a collaborative and strong approach to participation with the treatment team.

16. Assists parents with crisis situations and/or in developing a crisis plan in conjunction with assigned Case Manager. Completes Crisis Communication, Transition In Care Form and any other appropriate communication/contacts during times of crisis. This includes collaboration with external providers involved in consumer cases and COMCARE Crisis as necessary.

17. Provides comprehensive transitional care with parents in conjunction with Case Manager following an in or out-of-school suspension or expulsion including evaluation of behaviors that led to displacement, current services in place, a plan for out of school time, determining if safety plan is needed, and in collaboration with the treatment team and school.

18. Demonstrates exceptional communication and relationships with schools. Attends 504 and IEP meetings with parents. Works with parents to problem solve area’s of concern with school and serves as a liaison between school and parents as needed to ensure support, understanding, and needs of youth are being met.

OTHER POSITION REQUIREMENTS

1. Maintains acceptable overall attendance record, to include department staff meetings, agency meetings, and trainings as required. Ensures appropriate notification to supervisor for absences and ensures that work is covered. Flexible in work schedule when needed.
2. Exhibits appropriate level of technical knowledge for the position.
3. Produces quantity of work necessary to meet job requirements.
4. Works well with a team, keeps others informed of information needed. Treats others with respect, maintaining a spirit of cooperation.
5. Maintains effective and professional verbal and written interactions with peers, customers, supervisors, and other staff. Uses diplomacy and tact in dealing with difficult situations or people. Demonstrates effective listening skills. Is receptive to constructive feedback.
6. Demonstrates the ability and willingness to handle new assignments, changes in procedures and business requirements. Identifies what needs to be done and takes appropriate action.
7. Completes assigned work, meets deadlines without reminders/follow-up from supervisor or others.
8. Performs work conscientiously with a high degree of accuracy.
9. Meets goals and objectives as mutually agreed upon during last performance review (if applicable).

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must have lived experience in raising a youth with SED, Substance Use, or co-occurring. Computer literacy required. Preferred areas include knowledge of youth and mental health, school resources, community resources, housing alternatives and vocational services; ability to write and communicate verbally in a clear and concise fashion; and the ability to develop and maintain rapport with youth, family, constituents and staff. A valid Kansas drivers license and access to personal vehicle required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

* Driving (for purposes of community mobility)

* Typing/data entry, writing

* Lifting/carrying up to 30 pounds

* Bending/Stooping/Climbing

All the above duties and responsibilities are considered essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as a detailed statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Employees may be required to perform any other job-related instructions as requested by supervisors, subject to reasonable accommodation.

EEO

EEO race, color, religion, sex, parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors.