Peer Support Specialist (Northeast KS, Southeast KS, & South-central Kansas)

IBT; Pittsburg (KS); Remote; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A community behavioral health organization is seeking a part-time Peer Support Specialist to provide support for families navigating the child and family well-being system. The role involves advocacy and education, with a focus on assisting families in overcoming challenges. Candidates should have lived experience with the DCF system and possess strong communication skills. This position is remote but requires travel within designated areas of Kansas.

Qualifications

• Self-identifies as navigating the DCF system for at least six months.
• Knowledgeable about current foster care system processes.
• Reliable transportation required.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the development of mentoring and advocacy training materials.
• Facilitate support groups and educational sessions.
• Provide support, guidance, and coaching to families.

Skills

Strong written and oral communication skills

Strong organizational and planning skills

Knowledge of data collection services (REDCap)

Interpersonal skills

Education

High School diploma or GED

Bachelor's Degree in a related business field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

REDCap

Job description

Peer Support Specialist (Northeast KS, Southeast KS, & South-central Kansas)

Integrated Behavioral Technologies, Inc. (IBT) is a group of caring individuals whose goal is to provide children and their families with the behavioral therapy services they need to succeed. We are a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization that serves children across the state of Kansas with a focus on rural and low-income areas. IBT is hiring a part-time Peer Support Specialist in that covers Southeast Kansas, Northeast Kansas, and South-Central Kansas. This position is remote with required travel to each area and some in-person meetings/trainings may also be required.

The Peer Support Specialist will work within a multi-disciplinary team to provide peer-to-peer support for families who are navigating the child and family well-being system (DCF). The Peer Support Specialist will use their experience navigating DCF, custody loss, and reintegration of a child back into the home as a base for delivering navigational support with families to promote safety, permanency, quality engagement, and well-being for children and families across Kansas. This could involve providing advocacy services that families need at council meetings, committee meetings, appointments, and other supporting activities involved in the reintegration process.

Job Responsibilities

• Participate and provide feedback in the development of mentoring and advocacy training materials
• Complete the Mentoring Training Program, designed to build key mentorship skills.
• Lead groups: Facilitate support groups and educational sessions
• Provide support: Offering support, guidance, and coaching to families navigating the child and well-being system
• Teach: Teach families how to advocate for themselves, their children, protect their rights, and identify/use community resources
• Educate: Share stories, provide information, advise and connect families to community resources
• Build relationships: Helping people connect to service providers and social support networks
• Collaborate: Work with other providers, family members, and state entities
• Maintain confidentiality: Observe all rules of confidentiality for clinical information and treatment
• Participate in staff training and development
• Serve on designated committees within the agency, if applicable
• Document activity logs
• Maintain records and data collection
• Compile monthly and annual reports, as requested
• Attend Agency staff meetings, Case Conferences and Individual and Group Supervision

Note: This position requires travel to key sites within their assignment DCF catchment area.

Required Qualifications

Life Experience:

• Self identifies as someone who has successfully navigated the DCF system and have successfully reintegrated their child back into their home for at least six months
• Is knowledgeable of current foster care system processes and available service support

Education:

• High School diploma or GED
• Education may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis
• Experience used to substitute education is in addition to any required work experience

Certifications/Licenses: N/A

Other:

• Has reliable transportation

Languages: N/A

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in a related business field

Certifications/Licenses: N/A

Work Experience:

• Has self-identified life experience as a caregiver, parent, or guardian, with a child with special needs, disabilities, and/or mental health condition and direct life experience navigating multiple systems of care within Kansas
• Has knowledge of community resources and services for families with children with ASD and I/DD or other mental/behavioral needs
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Microsoft Word, Excel, SharePoint, etc…)
• Experience using data collection services (REDCap)

Languages: Fluent in English and Spanish languages

Skills:

• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Recognizes and demonstrates sensitivity toward cultural and ethnic differences
• Effectively can manage conflict to promote change and growth and inspire the development of families served
• Has strong interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of data collection services (REDCap)

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. It is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, duties, and assignments. Furthermore, job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.