Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialist

For over 35 years, Youth Villages has transformed the lives of children and families nationwide through innovative, research-based programs focused on preserving and restoring families.

As a national leader in children's mental and behavioral health, we serve more than 47,000 youth, young people, and their families annually across 29 states and Washington, D.C. Our proven treatment models drive long-term success in child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health systems. At Youth Villages, we do what works — partnering with others to expand our impact and advocate for meaningful, lasting change.

We're seeking purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference. With a dedicated team of more than 5,000 staff, Youth Villages is committed to investing in and supporting our employees by offering opportunities to build a fulfilling career through professional growth, personal development, and a mission that matters— helping children and families live successfully.

Program Overview:

Youth Villages' Specialized Crisis Services (SCS) Program provides rapid, effective assessment and intervention for youth up to age 18 who are experiencing a psychiatric emergency, such as suicidal or homicidal thoughts, severe depression, physical aggression, psychosis, or acting in a destructive or uncontrollable manner. The program offers thorough, strength-based assessments and crisis management to ensure the safety of the youth and others involved.

Families, community members, and providers can reach out for support regardless of whether the youth is currently receiving services from Youth Villages.

SCS staff work closely with the youth, their family, and key community partners to evaluate risk factors and develop an immediate plan for stabilization. Services are provided in the home or community to offer timely, accessible support during a crisis. In addition to crisis assessment, the program provides ongoing treatment and intervention to help maintain family stability until appropriate long-term services can be secured.

Position Overview:

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) provides youth- and family-centered peer support to children/adolescents who have experienced a mental health crisis event. The PSS supports ongoing stabilization by engaging youth and caregivers, providing strength-based coaching and mentoring, facilitating connection to community and clinical resources, and delivering structured parent education workshops.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Peer Support Specialist:

• Teaches and models the value of every individual's experience caring for a child or youth with a mental, emotional, behavioral (MEB) or co-occurring disorder
• Fosters a full and equal partnership with the child/youth, family, and caregiver
• Completes the required evaluation documentation in collaboration with the Care Coordinator
• Encourages and assists caregivers in developing informal and formal networks of support that are responsive to the culture and unique needs of their child/youth and family
• Teaches the child/youth, family, and caregiver how to identify and leverage their strengths to achieve the family's goals
• Arranges the time and place of family team meetings and assists in the facilitation
• Partners with family and team members to identify and overcome barriers and/or service gaps
• Understands and utilizes specific interventions necessary to assist caregivers in developing a family team and in establishing and meeting their child/youth and family's individualized goals
• Assists caregivers in creating their family team and individualized service plan
• Leads and models how to facilitate collaborative working relationships with providers, school staff, and other professionals
• Model effective coping techniques and advocacy skills
• Teaches relevant skills needed for effective advocacy and navigation of the child-serving systems (including child welfare, juvenile justice, education, mental health, and transition services)
• Assist caregivers in meeting their child's or youth's needs through support, education, and guidance in school-related meetings (504, Individual Education Plans, etc.) and the…