Family Partner​/Peer Support

Do you have personal experience raising a child with special education or mental health needs?

Would you like to share your knowledge and experience with others? Turn your personal experience into a rewarding mental health career!

• Competitive Salary
• Eligible for first pay increase after successful completion of three month introductory period
• 100% paid medical and dental for the employee
• Generous time off benefits:
• 14 Paid Holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Years
• Vacation leave of 2 weeks per year, increases to 4 weeks by year four
• 4.5% Bilingual Pay Differential for proficiency in an Alameda County threshold language
• Paid lunch break
• Paid volunteer time-off
• Supportive and collaborative work environment
• Training and growth opportunities
• Reimbursement for work travel

The Mental Health Association of Alameda County (MHAAC) is a well-established non-profit organization with long term staff that assists and advocates for people with mental illness and their family members through programs including the Family Education and Resource Center, the Family Partnership Program and Patients' Rights Advocates. Together, these programs assist thousands of people with serious mental illness and their family members every year.

We envision a world without stigma where people with mental health challenges and their family members are free to live their best lives. MHAAC's current budget is around $5 million.

The Family Partnership Program works with a multidisciplinary team to help support the families and caregivers of children with behavioral and/or emotional challenges. Family Partners have firsthand experience raising a child with these challenges. They offer families peer support and assistance in navigating services available through county, school system, and/or the juvenile justice system. Family Partners also conduct trainings for parents and provide emotional support to caregivers.

The Family Partnership Program provides services within the Alameda County Behavioral Health (ACBH) system serving children and young adults.

The Family Partner reports to the Program Director and collaborates with other professionals as part of Alameda County Behavioral Health Department (BHD) multidisciplinary youth services team. The Family Partner will assist and mentor families navigating Alameda County Children and Young Adult System of Care services: behavioral health, special education, child welfare, and juvenile justice. The Family Partner is required to document all services in Clinician's Gateway according to BHD/Cal Aim standards and requirements, and maintain an active caseload of families.

• Partner with other professionals as part of BHD multidisciplinary child and young adult services
• Assist and mentor families navigating Alameda County System of Care services: behavioral health, special education, child welfare, and juvenile justice
• Assist families in obtaining community services and support
• Participate in training, conferences and workshops related to youth and family issues
• Assist families to become empowered, advocate and educated as members of their child's treatment team
• Act as a peer liaison with families and providers
• Complete all necessary reports within deadlines

• Must have personal experience raising a child who has received services (mental health, special education, social services, and/or juvenile probation).
  
  Note:
  
  Education/professional experience does NOT replace the lived experience that is required.
• Must successfully pass a fingerprint background check by CADOJ and FBI
• Must have a motor vehicle available for daily use, possess a valid California drivers license, carry vehicle liability insurance, and have an acceptable motor vehicle report, as determined by MHAAC's insurance broker.
• Possess a high school diploma, or equivalency certificate.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office - Outlook (email) and Word (documents)

• Bilingual in an Alameda County Threshold Language:
  Arabic, Cantonese, Farsi, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese
• Ability to coordinate appointments, schedules, meetings and deadlines while maintaining flexibility
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload to meet deadlines
• Experience delivering services using video-based platforms such as Zoom

HOURS OF WORK: 36 hours per week, full-time

LOCATION: This position will be based in San Leandro, CA. The Family Partner…