Peer Support Specialist- GULFPORT AREA

JOB CLASSIFICATION : Non-Exempt STATUS : Full – Time

PROGRAM : Kinship Navigator

LOCATION : Gulfport

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILTIES :

The Peer Support Specialist provides peer to peer support to assist with normalizing the experience of the children and caregiver. The Peer Support Specialist works with the navigator to help caregivers negotiate the system and address key obstacles the family is facing. The Peer Support Specialist services will be delivered by a grandparent or other relative with lived caregiving experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES :

▪ Provide follow up phone calls and other communication to ensure the caregiver's needs have been addressed to the best of your ability.

▪ Assist the Kinship Navigator with identifying the Caregiver's specific need.

▪ Provides support and guidance to the kinship family, including helping to navigate the child welfare system, gain access to public and private community resources, permanency planning, and interpreting policies and procedures for programs serving families and children.

▪ Provides support and guidance to the kinship family, including seeking out resources and community events, medical resources, educational resources, legal resources, and access to upcoming changes which directly impacts the family.

▪ Ability to search for resources and promote the program on an ongoing basis.

▪ Assists caregivers in building social and engagements skills to enhance their ability to gain employment and participate in parents and social groups.

▪ Assist with the intake process for caregivers and complete all required forms in preparation for program admissions.

▪ Provides support through advocacy to protect the rights of caregivers based on daily living services such as social security office, clients’ service organizations, housing providers, etc.

▪ Obtains program required documents such as proof of custody,

▪ Helps kinship caregivers to determine eligibility, obtain and complete forms for consumers, attend necessary appointments for services or resources.

▪ Maintains regular and consistent with kinship families in the office, client's home, in the community, or remotely as contact needed.

▪ Helps kinship caregivers to determine eligibility, obtain and complete forms, attend necessary appointments for services or resources.

▪ Refers to community outreach programs.

▪ Assists in linking family to recreational activities / resources for relative children placed in kinship caregiver's home.

▪ Safeguards the family's dignity and protects the rights and individuality of each kin family under his / her supervision.

▪ Maintains appropriate boundaries and remain in compliance with HIPAA privacy laws.

▪ Collaborates as a team member.

▪ Maintains good communication with the team.

▪ Participates in assigned meetings.

▪ Completes and maintains all service documentation and statistics as required.

▪ Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE :

This position requires a high school diploma / GED and must have received a Peer Support Specialist Certification OR be willing to obtain certification within 120 days of hire.

SKILLS / ABILITIES :

▪ Ability to provide education and advocacy on behalf of kinship families; and strong empathy and understanding of the unique role, needs and challenges of kinship caregivers.

▪ Ability to promote placement stability and positive permanency outcomes.

▪ Ability to respond quickly to time sensitive requests.

▪ Ability to engage with various family dynamics build partnerships.

▪ Ability to travel within assigned region, when applicable.

▪ Ability attend a combination of assigned trainings, meetings and supervision through the use of technology including zoom and other meeting software while on a remote work schedule.

▪ Demonstrates excellent problem solving and conflict resolution skills.

▪ Demonstrates strong commitment to children being placed with kinship families as well as holds a value that family connections are paramount and demonstrates competence in working with families involved in the child welfare system.

▪ Demonstrates ability to evaluate situations and make decisions regarding case services or family needs.

▪ Knowledge of community resources available for support of kinship families.

▪ Demonstrate awareness of, sensitivity to, and competence in dealing with a cultural and socioeconomic diverse client population.