Job Description

Job Location Childrens Main Office - BIRMINGHAM, AL 35213 Position Type Part Time Education Level High School Job Shift Day Job Category Professional Services

JOB TITLE: Certified Peer Specialist - Parent

WORKING TITLE: Parent Peer

A Parent Peer is a parent, grandparent or guardian who is parenting, or has parented, a child with serious emotional disturbance or serious mental illness, and can articulate the understanding of their experience and share that experience with another parent/family. Parent Peers provide strength-based rehabilitative support services to parents that are expected to increase the child/family’s capacity to function within their home, school and community while promoting recovery. This person responsible for advocating for parents/families who have children with serious emotional disturbances. This position will require the Parent Peer to have innovative ideas to help parents/guardians increase knowledge of serious emotional disturbances and mental health needs of children and adolescents, assist with encouragement of families with cooperating with services, and promote self-empowerment of the parent.

PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS

Assist children’s services staff across assigned Units in Jefferson, Blount and/or St. Clair County

Serve as part of a treatment team for services offered to families

Assist and support family members in navigating through multiple agencies and human services systems (DHR, Family Court and School Systems)

Develop communication skills including effective communication with staff and doctors regarding treatment

Develop social skills and healthy social networks including peer and natural supports, self-help and self-advocacy groups

Assist families in developing healthy coping skills, problem solving skills, and locating community resources

Coaching that promotes wellness, trust, and hope for parents and families

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

High school diploma or equivalent

**Parents who have lived experience as a parent, grandparent, or guardian to a child with serious emotional disturbance or serious mental illness

Parent Peers must successfully complete an approved DMH CPS-Parent training program upon hire.

Valid Alabama driver's license and driving record acceptable to agency automobile insurance carrier for inclusion on agency policy. Suitable automobile to permit the required travel. Must show and maintain car insurance equal to or in excess of the State of Alabama standards for automobile insurance coverage.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITITES

Knowledge of special needs and behavioral characteristics of severely emotionally disturbed children

Knowledge of the community and available community resources

Ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbally, with a multi-disciplinary team

Working knowledge of interviewing techniques and principles

Willing to learn about psychotropic medications to include their use and side effects

Must be dependable, teachable and honest

Should be open to job requirements and have the ability to facilitate groups and activities

Should be available to work afternoon/early evening hours or weekend hours based on needs of the families

Knowledge of computer-based applications and willingness to learn the use of an electronic medical record system for documentation purposes

Qualifications