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This is an excellent entry level opportunity for people who want to help families in need!
We seek people who have had personal experience (not work related) as a parent or caregiver of a young child (age 0-5) who has/had mental health or developmental needs.
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Who We Are
Founded in 1999, Maryland Coalition of Families (MCF) is a statewide nonprofit with a central office in Columbia, Md., and staff located in communities throughout the state. Using personal experience as parents, caregivers, youth and other loved ones, we connect, support and empower Maryland’s families. Our staff provide one-to-one support to parents and caregivers of young people with mental health issues and to any loved one who cares for someone with a substance use or gambling issue. We also advocate to improve systems that impact individuals with behavioral health challenges.
Overview
Maryland Coalition of Families (MCF) has a full-time (40 hour/week) employment opportunity for a Family Peer Support Specialist (FPSS) to serve families in Allegany and Garrett Counties. The candidate must have personal (not work) experience as a primary caregiver of child aged 0-5, with either behavioral health or developmental needs. After training and orientation, the Family Peer Support Specialist will provide family-to-family outreach, support, education, advocacy, coaching, information, referrals and follow-up to families seeking assistance regarding concerns about their infant or toddler’s behavioral health, development or growth.
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Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with agencies and providers of services related to early childhood systems.
- Connect, support and empower families having an infant and/or a toddler with behavioral health and/or developmental concerns.
- Facilitate a process for families to develop a plan to: clarify the problem(s); provide emotional support; identify needs and strengths; and identify resources including appropriate levels of services, entitlements, community resources and other natural supports.
- Assist families and youth to build their own community based support network, and ensure that their goals are integrated into one unified plan as necessary.
- Facilitate families accessing supports and services by: sharing information about resources and supports; providing guidance in completing applications; supporting families to fully understand their rights; reviewing documents such as IFSPs, IEPs or reports with families to ensure they fully understand documents; empowering families to effectively articulate their concerns and needs; accompanying families to meetings; and educating families on laws, policies and procedures.
- Facilitate training workshops in assigned region for families as assigned in contract deliverables.
- Collaborate with other MCF staff to develop support and educational programs that empower families.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Must live in Allegany County or Garrett County
- Prior experience assisting other families to obtain appropriate services and supports for their child and family members is desirable.
- Familiarity with state and local resources and knowledge of how to access them, specifically the early childhood serving systems.
- Ability to build and maintain partnerships with agencies and providers.
- Active listening skills for providing non-judgmental peer support and engagement to families.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Strong computer skills.
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Hours/Compensation
- 40 hours/week
- Flexible work schedule
- Salary $18 per hour plus full benefits package
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To be considered for this position, submit your resume and a cover letter describing your interest in this position and relevant experience caring for a child aged 0-5, with either behavioral health or developmental needs.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please note that mailed or faxed resumes will not be considered. No phone calls please.
Diversity
In line with MCF’s commitment to building a talented and inclusive staff, women, people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer – all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, 8gender identity, age, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other classification protected by applicable discrimination.
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Key words: Human Services, early childhood, Social Services, Direct Support Professional, CNA, GNA, caseworker, case manager, nonprofit
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