Maternal Health Peer Specialist

Since its founding in 1985, Queen of Peace Center (QOPC) has been providing family-centered behavioral healthcare for women, children, and families. As a member of the Federation of Catholic Charities, we serve the metropolitan and surrounding St. Louis area through four core programs: prevention, education, treatment, and housing.


POSITION SUMMARY

The Maternal Health Peer Specialist uses lived experience to support and inspire pregnant and postpartum individuals who are working toward recovery and improved mental health. Through compassionate, trauma-informed peer support, this role helps participants stay connected to treatment, navigate healthcare systems, and build confidence in their recovery journey.

Working as part of a collaborative care team, the Peer Specialist helps strengthen outcomes for mothers, babies, and families while promoting long-term wellness and recovery.


OVERVIEW AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strength-based peer support to pregnant and parenting individuals receiving substance use and behavioral health services.
• Use lived experience to build trust, reduce stigma, and encourage engagement in treatments and recovery.
• Facilitate peer support groups focused on maternal recovery, parenting in recovery, and emotional wellness.
• Provide educational and encouragement related to pregnancy, postpartum wellness, infant bonding, and parenting in recovery.
• Promote safe sleep practices, infant safety, and overall family wellness.
• Assist participants in accessing prenatal, postpartum, pediatric, and behavioral health services within 72 hours of enrollment when possible. A flexible schedule may be required, including occasional evenings or weekends.
• Support care coordination with healthcare providers, behavioral health teams, and community partners.
• Advocate for participant needs and empower individuals to actively participate in their care and recovery.
• Maintain accurate documentation in accordance with program, funding, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in team meetings, supervision, and ongoing training while maintaining peer certification requirements.
• Combination of office, community, and clinical treatment settings that may include home visits, hospital visits, and community outreach.
• Ability to manage and transport program supplies for meetings and community events.
• A flexible schedule may be required, including occasional evenings or weekends.

KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Lived experience with recovery from substance use and/or maternal behavioral health challenges.
• Certified Peer Specialist, Certified Recovery Support Specialist, or ability to obtain certification within the required timeframe. Within 60 days of hire.
• A driver's license is required. MO residents require a Class E, personal vehicle, and auto insurance. The ability to transport participants may be required. Ability to sit, stand, and travel within the community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of sustained recovery preferred.
• Experience supporting pregnant or parenting individuals in recovery.
• Pregnant and Parenting Family or Doula certification.
• Knowledge of perinatal substance use, neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), and maternal mental health.
• Experience working with child welfare, healthcare systems, or community resource coordination.
• Experience facilitating support groups

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

• Trauma-Informed & Person-Centered Practice: Applies trauma-informed principles in daily interactions, resulting in improved client engagement and a reduction in behavioral escalations.
• Empathy & Recovery-Oriented Support: Demonstrates empathetic, strength-based engagement that increases client participation in recovery plans and improves follow-through on treatment goals.
• Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Communicates clearly and professionally with clients, families, and providers; consistently achieves positive feedback scores and contributes to efficient care coordination.
• Cultural Humility & Family System Awareness: Effectively supports individuals from diverse cultural and family backgrounds; integrates cultural considerations into service plans to enhance client trust and retention.
• Professional Boundaries & Use of Lived Experience: Maintains appropriate boundaries while leveraging personal lived experience to build rapport, resulting in stronger client connections and higher satisfaction.
• Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration: Actively contributes to interdisciplinary team meetings and case reviews, ensuring timely information sharing and coordinated care.
• Crisis Identification & Referral: Accurately recognizes early signs of crisis and initiates proper intervention or referrals, contributing to reduced emergency incidents and improved client safety.

Queen of Peace Center does not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its federally assisted programs and activities. Queen of Peace Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, or disability.


Pre-Employment Screening
All candidates receiving an employment offer must submit a pre-employment screening. The screenings will include criminal background check and other background checks (as needed), Family Care Safety Registration, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, and Covid-19 and Influenza vaccination. Various positions will require physical examination, Tuberculosis screening and Hepatitis A. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.


Our Mission

To bring the healing, help, and hope of Jesus Christ to those in need with a compassionate, caring presence.

Providing family-centered care for women with substance-use disorders, their families, and at-risk youth through treatment, prevention and education, and housing.

Benefits

As a part of the Catholic Charities family, you'll have the resources to care for those closest to you. Options include generous parental leave policies, flexible working arrangements, group life insurance, permanent health insurance, and dedicated support to help you find the right child care or elder care.