Family Peer Support Specialist-Military Families

Family Peer Support Specialist‑Military Families

Founded in 1999, the Maryland Coalition of Families (MCF) is a statewide nonprofit that connects, supports, and empowers Maryland’s families. Our staff provide one‑to‑one support to parents and caregivers of people with mental health or substance use challenges.

Full‑time (40 hours per week) employment for a Family Peer Support Specialist to serve military families throughout the state. The FPSS must have lived experience as a parent or caregiver of someone with behavioral health challenges, and lived experience as a member of the military or as a military spouse. After training and orientation, the FPSS will use their knowledge of military culture to provide family peer support, education, navigation assistance, advocacy, coaching, information, referrals, and follow‑up to families seeking assistance.

• Provide support, guidance, and education to help military‑connected parents and caregivers navigate behavioral health, social, legal, educational, and health care systems, including VA and other military‑connected institutions, programs, and services.
• Offer a strengths‑based, non‑judgmental, solutions‑oriented assessment to help military‑connected parents and caregivers identify challenges and needs and develop a plan to overcome them.
• Provide family engagement opportunities to build a natural support network.
• Educate families about community resources and facilitate access as needed.
• Educate families about their rights in various systems.
• Advocate on behalf of parents and caregivers 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 related to behavioral health topics or other relevant subjects.
• Build and maintain strong, positive partnerships with behavioral health, child‑serving agencies, school systems, local authorities, military‑serving organizations, and other service providers.
• Act as an ambassador to disseminate information and raise awareness about MCF programs and services.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of service delivery.
• Stay abreast of emerging issues within family peer support and commit to professional growth and continued learning.
• Represent MCF on state and local committees, commissions, teams, and boards to increase access to and awareness of family peer support.
• Contribute positively to a community of peers supporting each other in the delivery of high‑quality services.

• Personal, lived experience as a parent or primary caregiver to an individual with a behavioral health challenge.
• Personal, lived experience as a veteran, military member, or spouse of a veteran or military member.
• Residency in Prince George’s or Anne Arundel County.
• Specific lived experience in the program focus area (e.g., substance use, mental health, problem gambling, early childhood, etc.).
• High school diploma or equivalent; some combination of college and/or professional work experience preferred.
• Familiarity with state and local resources and knowledge of how to access them.
• Prior experience assisting families to obtain appropriate services and supports is desirable.
• Familiarity and comfort with public speaking and conducting outreach to the community preferred.
• Ability to build and maintain productive partnerships with agencies and providers.
• Active listening skills for providing non‑judgmental peer support with a strengths‑based perspective.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to the team.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to follow through.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong computer skills and ability to efficiently identify resources online.
• Ability or willingness to learn to use a database (Salesforce).
• Current Maryland driver’s license and access to own vehicle; in‑state travel required.
• Successful completion of a background check.

• Full‑time, 40 hours per week.
• Salary: $18‑$19 per hour.
• MCF provides equipment, mileage reimbursement, and paid training.
• Full benefits include generous PTO (2‑week vacation,…