Family Peer Support Specialist

Families United Network; Kingston (Luzerne County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Families United Network is seeking a Family Peer Support Specialist to provide encouragement, advocacy, and practical support to parents and caregivers navigating services for their children with mental or behavioral health needs.

You will use your lived experience to help families access resources, build confidence, and advocate for effective, family-driven plans. This is a community-based, in-person role requiring travel across Luzerne and Wyoming Counties.

Qualifications

• Lived experience raising a child with mental or behavioral health challenges.
• Ability and willingness to use personal experience to support other parents/caregivers.
• Strong communication, listening, relationship-building, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with a team.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for travel.
• Ability to obtain PA State Police, FBI, and Child Abuse clearances (agency pays).

Responsibilities

• Provide support, encouragement, and advocacy to parents and caregivers receiving services.
• Use your own lived experience to help families navigate challenges of caring for a child with mental/behavioral health needs.
• Help families identify and access services, resources, and community supports.
• Help families build confidence, strengthen relationships, and develop advocacy skills for their children.
• Work with parents, caregivers, and service providers as a team to develop family-driven goals and treatment plans.
• Connect families with resources and help them navigate systems and services.
• Conduct outreach to build awareness and strengthen the referral network.
• Perform additional duties related to services under the awarded grant.

Skills

Lived experience

Advocacy

Communication

Travel readiness

Job description

Turn Your Experience Into Support For Another Family

Have you personally navigated the challenges of raising a child with a mental or behavioral health diagnosis? Your experience can make a difference for another parent or caregiver.

As a Family Peer Support Specialist with Peer Help United Network, you’ll use your own lived experience to provide encouragement, advocacy, guidance, and practical support to parents and caregivers as they navigate services and resources for their children.

This is a rewarding opportunity for someone who wants to turn their personal experience into a source of hope, connection, and support for other families.

What We Offer

Competitive starting pay

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance — employee premiums fully paid
• HRA — employer contribution covers $4,500 of the $5,000 deductible
• 401(k) Match
• PTO — up to 17 days per year
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Birthday Time Off
• FSA
• Employee Assistance Plan

What You'll Do

• Provide support, encouragement, and advocacy to parents and caregivers receiving services.
• Use your own lived experience to help families navigate the challenges of caring for a child with mental or behavioral health needs.
• Help parents and caregivers identify and access services, resources, and community supports.
• Help families build confidence, strengthen relationships, and develop skills to advocate for their children.
• Work collaboratively with parents, caregivers, and service providers as a team to develop family-driven goals and treatment plans.
• Connect families with resources and help them navigate systems and services.
• Conduct outreach activities to build awareness and strengthen the referral network.
• Perform additional duties directly related to services provided under the awarded grant.

Community-Based Work & Schedule

Travel is an essential part of this position. Travel will primarily occur throughout Luzerne and Wyoming Counties, with the potential for occasional out-of-state travel.

This is a community-based role that may involve meeting families in their homes, community settings, provider locations, or other locations where support is needed.

The schedule may vary based on the needs of the families we serve and may include non-traditional hours, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.

Successful candidates should be comfortable working independently in the community, traveling to meet families, and adapting their schedules to meet family needs.

What We're Looking For

• Lived experience raising a child or children with a mental or behavioral health diagnosis.
• Ability and willingness to use your personal experience appropriately to support and empower other parents and caregivers.
• Strong communication, listening, relationship-building, and advocacy skills.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with a team.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for work-related travel.
• Ability to obtain required PA State Police, FBI, and Child Abuse clearances. The agency pays for required clearances.

Join Peer Help United Network

Your experience can be more than something you've been through — it can become a source of support for another family.

If you’re ready to use your lived experience to help parents feel less alone, find the resources they need, and become stronger advocates for their children, we’d love to hear from you.

Families United Network is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Type: Full-Time

Expected Hours: 40 Per Week

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In Person