Certified Parent Peer Specialist (Wraparound)

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

Job summary

Wisconsin Community Services (WCS) seeks a compassionate Parent Peer Specialist to support families in Milwaukee through the Wraparound Milwaukee program. You will use your lived experience parenting a youth with health or life challenges to provide hope, guidance, and practical support to parents and caregivers.

Responsibilities include direct peer support, navigating systems, crisis reduction, and collaboration with the Wraparound team to develop family-centered Plans of Care.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED/HSED required.
• Graduate of state Parent Peer Specialist training.
• Certified Parent Peer Specialist certification or plan to become certified within one year.
• Background check, driving record, and references clearance as required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to engage across diverse cultures with respect and empathy.
• Lived experience parenting a youth with mental health or related needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-to-one peer support to parents and caregivers in community settings, including family homes.
• Build trusting relationships with youth and families using your lived experience as a Parent Peer Specialist.
• Help families navigate mental health, youth justice, child welfare and related systems.
• Advocate for families so their needs are heard by the Child and Family Team.
• Identify crisis triggers and strengthen parenting and crisis-management skills.
• Model constructive parenting, recovery, problem-solving, and coping strategies.
• Deliver education and support to families during various stages of crises.
• Collaborate with the Wraparound team to address family needs and develop plans.

Job description

Wisconsin Community Servicesis an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/Disability/Vet).

Job Code: 2026-PSL-007

Location: Milwaukee

Department: Peer Specialist Limited

FT/PT Status: Full Time

Job Responsibilities:

Wisconsin Community Services (WCS)

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.

Pay Range: $18.00/hr - $24.00/hr (depending on education)

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.

Job Qualifications:

Minimal Qualifications:

• High school or GED/HSED required
• Graduate of state Parent Peer Specialist training
• Possess current Certified Parent Peer Specialist certification or become certified within one year of employment.
• Meet all WCS and contractor requirements for criminal and caregiver background check, driving record, and references.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Complete all Wraparound trainings as required for the position.
• Ability to display cultural competence by responding respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth of each individual.
• Knowledge and skills to work with children, young adults, and families.
• Lived experience of parenting a youth with mental health, substance use, co-occurring, juvenile justice, and/or life needs.
• Valid driver’s license, automobile, and sufficient insurance to meet agency requirements is 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 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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The position is mobile, with time spent in the community, including home visits, and in the office. Driving throughout Milwaukee County is required, as is the ability to climb stairs if necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in an office environment and in the community, serving parents, children, and youth. Some of the work is done sitting at a desk using a computer; requires outreach in the community and families’ homes; much of the outreach is done in communities throughout Milwaukee, and several hours per day may be spent driving; hours average 20 per week; flexible work schedule includes some hours outside the regular work schedule.

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 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.
• A 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.