Peer Support Specialist - HopePath for Families (in-CIRCLE) - Gulfport, MS

Canopy Standard; Gulfport (MS); On-site; USD 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit children's service provider in Gulfport, MS, is seeking a Peer Support Specialist to advocate for youth and families facing behavioral health challenges. The role includes providing emotional support, family-driven advocacy, and psycho-education group sessions. Candidates must have a High School Diploma or GED, along with exceptional organizing and communication skills. Join a mission-driven team committed to fostering hope and recovery for families. This full-time position emphasizes community connection and impactful support.

Qualifications

• Must possess at least a High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Must complete the Department of Mental Health Certified Peer Specialist trainings and certification exam within the first 30 days of employment.
• Must have excellent organizational skills and diverse communication abilities.
• Experience working with diverse families and communities is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Advocates, represents, and supports youth and their families.
• Assists in creating a family-driven approach.
• Provides families with information and advocacy skills.
• Provides psycho-education and group sessions for families as needed.
• Supports crisis situations with appropriate referrals and guidance.
• Contributes to family-driven planning and leadership development.

Skills

Empathy

Advocacy skills

Organizational skills

Communication

Problem solving

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Job Category: Clinical, Social, Community & Health Services

Requisition Number: PEERS002938

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• Posted : July 10, 2025
• Full-Time

Locations

Showing 1 location

Gulfport, MS 39503, USA

Description

Founded in 1912 as an adoption agency, Canopy Children's Solutions is Mississippi’s most comprehensive nonprofit provider of children’s behavioral health, educational, and social service solutions. Canopy employs a diverse group of mission-driven individuals committed to honoring the voice of Mississippi children and families. Being an integral part of the Canopy team involves committing to the Core Values that drive our organization forward:

• The voice of our children and families always comes first
• Relationships matter and our differences make us stronger
• We take great joy in service to others
• Our families and our communities deserve our very best

Canopy has been designated a Great Place to Work® for the fifth consecutive year, and is one of only eight companies in Mississippi to qualify for this certification in 2024-2025. Canopy’s employees are charged with building a healthy work culture within their teams, that focus on trust, and the collective goal of helping kids thrive and families to overcome extraordinary challenges.

• The responsibility of the Peer Support Specialist is to serve as a representative of, and advocate for, youth and their families with behavioral health treatment needs who are youth of the In-Circle, PMHC, and Day Treatment.
• The Peer support specialist is also responsible for supporting families' emotional well being with empathy and personal experiences of overcoming challenges to help families have hope.
• The Peer Support Specialist is responsible for maintaining communication among families, the community, Child Protective Services and clinic staff.
• He/She will also provide information to assist and support educational and training initiatives for family members.

Job Responsibilities

• Advocates, represents, supports and assists youth and their families.
• Assists in creating and sustaining a family-driven approach.
• Provides families with information, advocacy skills and related activities.
• Provides psycho-education group sessions for families as needed.
• Assists families in crisis with appropriate referrals and supports. Links families to information and resources on behavioral health systems.
• Assists families in resolving complaints and concerns about Canopy Children's Solutions system of care.
• Identifies and develops potential leaders as well as developing own leadership abilities.

Required Qualifications

• The Certified Parent/Caregiver Peer Support Specialist is a biological parent, adoptive parent, or relative caregiver with permanent legal custody who is raising or has raised a child with an emotional, social, behavioral, and /or substance use disability; and whose child has received services from a children/youth mental health provider.
• The Specialist will provide support and guidance to parents/caregivers in navigating the child serving systems and advocating with them to help their child/youth.
• Must possess at least a High School Diploma or GED equivalent. Must also be able to successfully complete the Department of Mental Health Certified Peer Specialist trainings and certification exam for certification as a Peer Support Specialist (CPSS).
• You will be required to make application for certification within the first 30 days of employment.
• Must have the ability to listen to and problem solve with families individually or in a group setting.
• Must have excellent organizational skills, experience in diverse communication styles and the ability to work with teams.
• Must be dependable.
• Must have a positive attitude.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.