Family Peer Support Specialist - SUD

Overview

The Family Peer Support Specialist (FPSS) must have experience as a parent or caregiver of someone with substance use challenges. After training and orientation, the FPSS will provide family‑to‑family support, education, advocacy, coaching, information, referrals, and follow‑up to families during or immediately following a crisis that requires a response from the mobile crisis team or hospital emergency room. This position serves families in Baltimore City.

The successful incumbent must reside in Baltimore City and work out of the Baltimore Crisis Response office 2–3 times per week.

• Provide support, encouragement, and education to help parents and caregivers navigate behavioral health, social, legal, educational and health care systems.
• Offer a strengths‑based, non‑judgmental, solutions‑oriented approach to help families identify challenges and develop a plan to overcome them.
• Provide opportunities for families to engage in activities that help them build a natural support network.
• Educate families about available resources and facilitate access as needed.
• Educate families about their rights within various systems.
• Advocate on behalf of families with key stakeholders to ensure needs are met.
• Support families to be equal partners in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating plans of care or service.
• Facilitate educational workshops for families on behavioral health topics or other relevant subjects.
• Build and maintain positive partnerships with behavioral health, child‑serving agencies, and other service providers.
• Act as an ambassador to disseminate information and raise awareness about all of MCF's programs and services.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation regarding the delivery of services.
• Stay abreast of emerging issues within the field of family peer support through a commitment to professional growth and continued learning.
• Represent MCF on state and local committees, commissions and boards as assigned to increase awareness of family peer support and provide the family voice in policy conversations.
• Contribute positively to a community of peers supporting each other in delivering high‑quality services to families, caregivers, and allies.

• Personal lived experience as a primary parent or caregiver of an individual with a substance use challenge is required.
• Residency in Baltimore City.
• High school diploma or equivalent; some college experience or professional work experience preferred.
• Familiarity with state and local resources and knowledge of how to access them.
• Prior experience assisting other families in obtaining appropriate services and supports for their child or family members is desirable.
• Familiarity and comfort with public speaking and conducting outreach to the community preferred.
• Willingness and strong ability to build and maintain partnerships with agencies and providers.

• Full‑time, 40 hours per week.
• Salary: $18 per hour
• MCF provides equipment, mileage reimbursement, and paid training.
• Full benefits include generous paid time off (2 weeks vacation, 2 weeks sick leave, 3 personal days, 2 floating holidays, 11 holidays per year), health, dental and vision plans, life insurance, FSA, long‑term disability, 401(k), and an employee assistance program.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer – all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other classification protected by applicable discrimination laws.