OH START Family Peer Mentor

Mhankyswoh; Cincinnati (OH); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company sponsored health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Job summary

Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio is seeking a Family Peer Mentor to support the Hamilton County START program, working with the child welfare team to keep families safe and together. This contracted role emphasizes collaboration, trauma-informed practices, and connecting families to community resources.

The position empowers parents toward independence, requires a high school diploma, recovery experience, and willingness to obtain required certifications.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ohio Peer Recovery Supporter certification or willingness to obtain it.
• Demonstrate long-term recovery from substance use disorder.
• Lived experience with the child welfare system and ability to travel.
• Valid driver's license and automobile insurance; ability to travel.
• Maintain healthy professional boundaries with partners and internal teams.
• Willingness to participate in continuous learning and training.
• Previous experience as a certified peer support specialist is preferred.
• Willingness to acknowledge all pathways to recovery.

Responsibilities

• Assist with child safety by coordinating with the Ohio START case worker and behavioral health provider.
• Attend initial meetings, weekly status meetings, and Family Team Meetings to review progress and safety.
• Explore family needs to empower long-term independence.
• Support parents in achieving personal independence.
• Connect START families to community resources.
• Teach families to navigate the child welfare system.
• Assist families in identifying and accessing natural support systems in the community.
• Promote coordination among local providers.
• Coordinate access to crisis intervention services and family stabilization.
• Teach START families self-advocacy and empowerment skills.
• Identify barriers to full participation and develop strategies to overcome them.
• Provide input on court forms as needed, may attend court as a support.
• Provide input on the development of the case plan and child safety.
• Data entry to ensure quality communication and timely reporting.

Skills

Recovery advocacy

Collaborative work

Travel readiness

Professional boundaries

Community partner communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Ohio Peer Recovery Supporter certification (or willingness to become certified)

Job description

Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio is a forward-thinking non-profit organization that promotes mental health and overall wellness. We deliver a wide range of services including prevention, education, and direct care provision. At the heart of our work are our employees, a highly passionate group of people working together to help our community.

We are an affiliate of Mental Health America, the country's leading nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives. The organization hasover a century of advocacy, public education, andprogram/service delivery experience.

Position Summary

The Family Peer Mentor position i s a dynamic role with Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio, contracted through Job and Family Services of Hamilton County. You will serve as a member of the Hamilton County START team along with the child welfare caseworker, child welfare supervisor, and behavioral health service provider. The goal of the entire team is to keep children safe and families together. We are looking for a highly reliable and collaborative individual to join our team. Give us your best and we'll give you ours.

What you'll do

• Assist with the safety of the child(ren) by working collaboratively with the Ohio START case worker and behavioral health provider to ensure the seamless and efficient delivery of intensive wrap-around services to the START families on their caselo ad.
• Participate in initial meetings, weekly status meetings and Family Team Meetings to review families' progress and child safety in their respective cases.
• Provide continual exploration of family's needs to empower the family to take ownership over their long-term successes and the safety of their child(ren).
• Support the parent(s) in achieving personal independence.
• Connect START families to community resources .
• Teach families skills to effectively navigate to the child welfare system .
• Assist families with identifying and accessing natural support systems in the community.
• Promote coordination and linkage among providers within local community.
• Coordinate access to crisis intervention services and assist with family stabilization.
• Teach START families self-advocacy and empowerment skills.
• Identify barriers (internal and external) to full participation in community resources and develop strategies to overcome those barriers.
• Provide input on court forms as needed, may attend court as a support.
• Provide input on the development of the case plan and child safety.
• D ata entry to ensure quality communication and timely reporting .

What you'll need

• H igh school diploma or equivalent .
• Ohio Peer Recovery Supporter certification or agree and have the ability to become certified upon hiring.
• Demonstrate long term recovery from substance use disorder .
• Have lived experience with the child welfare system as a parent, with the case closed at least one year, or indirect lived experience with the child welfare system.
• Hold a valid driver's license, maintain current automobile insurance and be able to travel as required.
• Ability to maintain healthy professional boundaries while fostering respectful and collaborative working relationships with community partners and internal teams.
• Models and encourages health y boundaries with the participants to promote psychological safety, accountability and mutual respect.
• Willing ness to participate in continuous learning and training.
• Previous experience in a certified peer support specialist role – preferred but not required.
• Willingness to acknowledge all pathways to recovery.

Reasons why MHAN KYSWOH is a great place to work

• 2026 Recipient of the Platinum Bell Seal For Workplace Mental Health
• We advocate for wellness for everyone
• We encourage everyone to explore their talents and work toward a satisfying career experience
• We appreciate diversity and encourage people of all experiences, backgrounds, and cultures to share their talents
• Company sponsored h ealth , dental, and vision insurance