Family Support Specialist -Youth/Family Support

Are you a parent of a child with emotional, mental, or behavioral challenges and have learned to navigate the system with your own child? Can you use your own lived experience to support other parents and provide hope and guidance to other families through similar challenging circumstances? Can you stand committed to ensuring that other parents have a voice in their child’s care and be active participants in the healing process? Having experienced the stigma and isolation of raising a child with unique challenges, can you connect parents to other supports and resources that build on their strengths and interest? If you have this experience and would like to support families in need please contact us today! This job is a full-time position with benefits.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identifies, develops, and educates members on peer support systems available and assists in the accessing of natural support systems.
• Assists members in making connections to peer advocacy groups, peer support services, family support networks, wellness centers, and other peer-run or peer-centered services
• Maintains updated information on area peer support services
• Provides advocacy and/or training in self-advocacy techniques
• Follows up with members and other providers as needed regarding peer support systems
• Identifies, with member, barriers to success, and identifying resources to improve or eliminate barriers
• Maintains consistent communication and collaboration within the BHH team
• Provides education on, and advocates for, use of client-centered, recovery-oriented language and best practices

LEADERSHIP

• Play a lead role in UCP being a preferred employer by promoting staff growth and celebration, strong supervision, guidance and support, and development and recognition.
• Foster highly integrated communication and collaboration within and among the team.
• Honor, celebrate, and advocate for diversity at UCP

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT - UCP considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status under local, state, or federal law.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• GEAR Parent-Peer Support Leadership Institute training or be willing to obtain within the first 9 months of employment and must maintain certification requirements as defined by OCFS.
• The Family Support Specialist is an individual who is receiving or has received services and supports, or who has a family member who has received services and supports related to the diagnosis of a mental illness, is in recovery from that illness, and who is willing to self-identify on this basis with BHH members.
• Valid State of Maine driver license, reliable transportation with proof of registration and insurance, and willingness to use own transportation for work.