Peer Counselor – Parent Partner

Overview

The Y actively promotes a culture free from bias and injustice. We are dedicated to removing institutional and systemic barriers that result in oppression and racism. We will be accountable to marginalized communities for creating equitable and sustainable environments where social justice is woven into every facet of our programs, and by caring for our communities in a culturally versatile and respectful manner.

You will deliver culturally competent and strength-based peer support to caregivers of youth participating in the WISe (Wraparound with Intensive Services) program, aiming to reduce crises and enhance in-home stability. This will involve identifying necessary support and teaching skills to help caregivers effectively navigate community resources to fulfill their needs. Services will be provided in the homes of clients or other suitable community settings.

You will work in collaboration with colleagues, supervisors, external professionals, and others involved in the youth s care to address safety plan requirements and achieve action plan objectives, serving as a vital link between caregivers, youth, and system representatives.

This position serves as the parent peer support for the WISe wraparound intensive mental health services. A peer support specialist plays an intricate role in the team-based planning process for caregivers and youth who are experiencing complex needs. Peers are designed to help caregivers develop advocacy and empowerment skills to better achieve the identified goals of their youth and family, and so that young people may live in their homes and communities successfully.

• Provide peer counseling and support to parents/caregivers, drawing on common experience to encourage hope and inspire a sense of agency.
• Promote self-determination, empowerment, personal responsibility for recovery and wellness, and assist parents/caregivers in advocating for themselves and their children.
• Engage youth and families in the Wraparound process by sharing personal experience and/or explaining Wraparound process in relation to family s identified needs and concerns.
• Act as a bridge between families and system representatives on the team.
• Adhere closely to the National Wraparound Model.
• Assist in creating Care Plans by identifying relevant community resources and developing strategies to utilize and build upon strengths of the caregiver and youth.
• Collaborate with the treatment team to promote a culture within which each client’s point of view, experience, and preferences are recognized, understood, and respected, and client decision-making maximized.
• Assist caregivers in gaining skills to advocate for themselves when treatment planning and in other system settings.
• Assist families in identifying existing and building new community and natural supports.
• Identify opportunities for natural supports to participate in the Wraparound team planning process.
• Support caregivers during child and family team meetings.
• Provide resource referrals and linkages to caregivers and system partners.
• Assist families in navigating systems to have their needs met.
• Partner with the care coordinator, clinician, family, and other members of the family-identified team in the development of the crisis stabilization plan to make sure the plans are individualized and based on youth and family voice and choice. As appropriate, assist caregiver by providing short-term intensive care coordination and facilitating family collaboration with crisis providers or treatment options.
• Facilitate Wraparound team meetings as needed.
• Develop working knowledge of CANS assessment tool; interpret assessment results for families and incorporate relevant action items into the care planning process.
• Attend WISe community meetings with other partner agencies.
• Partner with system of care representatives to promote family involvement on all levels of care, service delivery, and policy development.
• Attend and participate in clinical consultation, staff meetings, and supervision appointments.
• Maintain complete and timely clinical documentation, including gathering data in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Participate in supervision with the WISe Program Director and regular collaboration with the care coordinators, clinicians, and fellow peers in the program.
• Demonstrate a high degree of skill in communication and positive interaction with all Y employees, prospective employees, external agencies/companies, and the community at large.
• Meet with assigned caregivers in person at least once a week, or more frequently, if necessary, within the community.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Personal experience as a parent or custodial guardian who has sought and received assistance from community mental health and/or school systems (juvenile justice, behavioral health, child welfare, special education) for their own child or youth who…