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

Canopy Children's Solutions; Gulfport (MS); On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great Place to Work® certified

Supportive work culture

Opportunities for personal growth

Job summary

A nonprofit organization dedicated to children's services is seeking a Peer Support Specialist to advocate for youth and their families. This role involves supporting families through crisis, providing information on resources, and assisting in navigating behavioral health systems. The ideal candidate will be a supportive figure with personal experience in these challenges and hold at least a High School Diploma. Certification training as a Peer Support Specialist is required within the first month.

Qualifications

• Must have a positive attitude and be dependable.
• Experience with diverse communication styles is essential.
• Ability to support families in crisis is required.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for youth and their families with behavioral health needs.
• Maintain communication among families, community, and clinic staff.
• Provide psycho-education group sessions as needed.
• Link families to behavioral health resources.

Skills

Empathy

Advocacy skills

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Effective communication

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Overview

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 2025-2026. 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.

Peer Support Specialist – Position Overview

• 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.