Peer Support Specialist

Company Overview

Youth Villages is a non-profit organization helping youth, young people, and their families across the United States who face a wide range of emotional, mental, and behavioral challenges. As a leader in the field of youth mental and behavioral health, Youth Villages earns its status as one of the nation’s most promising results-oriented non-profits as recognized by Harvard Business School, U.S. News & World Report and The White House.

Our commitment to helping youth and families find success spans more than 30 years and includes a comprehensive array of programs and services. With a dedicated staff of more than 5,000 working in 29 states and the District of Columbia, the organization serves more than 40,000 youth annually, further increasing our impact through partnerships and advocacy.

If you are looking for a positive career move where you are meeting the challenges of life and striving to make a positive difference, then Youth Villages is the place for you. We are looking for people with a strong sense of purpose and focus to continually build confidence in yourself and our organization.

Position Summary

Provide support to MYPAC families through lived experiences that provide mentoring, guidance, and non-clinical support services. Specialist will be the first contact for parents and families for grievances and complaints.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

• Ombudsman (first contact for complaints)
• Provide parent to parent support to MYPAC families when requested
• Provide services to youth not receiving wraparound facilitation and contact families weekly or monthly, depending on needs of family.
• Participate in parent support meetings
• Conduct parent surveys
• Contact referred families to explain the program and the Freedom of Choice form
• Collect information about client using interview, case history, visual and auditory observation techniques, and appraisal and assessment methods.
• Observe client home and environment and identify safety and health hazards.

Hourly rate: $23/hour

Education and Experience

• High School diploma or equivalent (required)
• Lived experience of having a child with SEO diagnosis (required)
• Must have or be eligible for MS DMH Peer Support Specialist Certification
• Must have or be willing to obtain Certified Peer Support Specialist Professional – Parent/Caregiver (CPSSP-P) Certification 

Additional Requirements

• Ability and means to drive frequently; provide proof of liability and property damage insurance on vehicle used with minimum coverage limits of 100/300/50, and possession of a valid driver’s license is required at all times

Additional Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision
• Retirement Savings Pension Plan
• 401(k)
• 2 weeks paid vacation
• 12 paid sick days per year
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Clinical Licensure Supervision

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.