Peer Family Support Specialist

Job Summary: This is a one-year position with the possibility for extension. The Peer Family Support Specialist is a direct service point for families in Douglas County who are pregnant or have children through five years old. Relationship-building is a cornerstone skill for this position as they build rapport with families and frequently collaborate with community partners. This position is based on Peer Support Specialist training and certification through KDADS (Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services). The Peer Specialist is a family or caregiver’s go-to person who can relate to their daily challenges and joys in parenting and provide support and resources based on the family and child’s unique needs.

About Community Children's Center: Founded in 1965, Community Children's Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to increasing access to high-quality, accessible, available, and affordable child care for infants to five years old in Douglas County. Our staff provides various training, programs, and partnerships aimed at helping families and caregivers through the journey of parenting.

Supervisory Responsibilities: NA

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide direct service advocacy, support, and resource connection and mobilization for families who are struggling with parenting such as but not limited to – 70%
• Perinatal mood disorders and other mental health diagnoses
• Social isolation
• Infant and early childhood mental health, attachment, and bonding challenges
• Challenging early childhood behaviors that are disrupting routines in the family, child care, and/or community setting
• Children with delays and disabilities; Parents and caregivers with delays and disabilities
• Caregivers in recovery
• Teen parents and multigenerational families
• Direct Service through facilitation and participation in Group Peer Support and caregiver/child engagement opportunities – 20%
• Complete Peer Fellow requirements such as weekly meetings that support education, group coaching, professional development, and the ongoing work of co-creating the strategies necessary to integrate peer support across the system of care – 5%
• Data collection as required by agency and funding sources – 3%
• Administer Protective Factors Survey Retrospective for families who have received more than 10 hours of support services
• Collect data as required by FRC Director, Douglas County, and funders
• Track and follow up on referrals to community resources
• Support sustainability of the Family Advisory Committee – 2%

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Lived expertise as a parent/family member who has experienced some of the issues listed above, has had at least one year of thriving (as defined by the family), and has a passion to mentor other families with infants and toddlers
• Follow the Peer Specialist Code of Ethics, Family Support Principles, National Family Support Network's Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening and Support
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate with and work alongside people from a variety of social, economic, cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds
• Commitment to equity, anti-racism, inclusion, and accessibility
• A strengths-based and trauma-informed approach to child and family support
• A high level of autonomy and professionalism
• Possess a valid driver's license, dependable transportation, and current vehicle insurance

Preferred Skills/Abilities:

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English
• Knowledge of and experience with Douglas County social services and early childhood programs
• Prior relevant work experience with diverse families with infants and toddlers

Preferred Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, other closely related fields, or lived expertise that shows equal skills and abilities; 1 years of relevant work experience

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the individual in this position to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Drive throughout Douglas County on a regular basis
• Enter homes, apartments, and community buildings
• Able to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard
• Lift at least 25 lbs

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the individual in this position may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Individuals in this position must be able to function in a social work environment and in multiple settings such as an office, play space, house, apartment, or community setting. There may be moderate to loud noise (kids playing, families talking) and may be in crowded areas when activities are well attended or when in public. Conditions may involve families experiencing trauma and crises, where this position requires de-escalation skills.

Compensation: $15 per hour for 20 hours per week

Benefits: None

FLSA Classification: Part-time. Most weeks, one to two evenings are required. Throughout the year, there will be some weekend work required.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $15.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 per week

Schedule:

• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $15