FAMILY PARTNER (PEER SUPPORT)

Reports to Peer Support Coordinator

SUMMARY :

The purpose of this position is to provide face-to-face peer support, education and advocacy to parents and caregivers of children involved in the New Jersey Children's System of Care.

Family Partners must be the primary caregiver or parent of a child / youth with emotional, behavioral, mental health, substance use, intellectual and developmental challenges and have demonstrated their ability to advocate on the child's behalf.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

Build and maintain supportive relationships with caregivers assigned by referral through the Children's System of Care. Provide support, education and advocacy to address family's needs.

Conduct Family Assessment of Strengths and Needs at intervals and create a plan of action with caregivers to address their identified needs.

Educate caregivers on the roles of members of the Child Family Team within Children's System of Care. Help caregivers to build a team that includes natural supports.

Assist and encourage families with expressing their needs at meetings, such as Child Family Team meetings, court hearings, and Child Study Team meetings.

Educate caregivers and their families on the Wraparound values and principles and assist in the identification of natural supports who can serve on their Child Family Team.

Document each caregiver encounter in the agency's defined system of record.

Attend training at least 4 times per calendar year on topics related to job specific activities upon approval. Achieve and maintain successful Family Partner certification / re-certification qualifications within the designated time frames.

QUALIFICATIONS :

Bilingual a plus - Spanish, Portuguese and French Creole .

A family partner is, or has been, the parent or primary caregiver of a child with emotional, behavioral, mental health, substance use, intellectual and developmental challenges who has successfully navigated a child serving system on behalf of the child.

Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

Must be able to express ideas clearly and be able to explain concepts to others with a command of oral and written English language.

Must demonstrate the ability to cooperate with strong decision making skills and the ability to work for and with others.

Must be able to respond with a sense of urgency to accomplish tasks with attention to detail.

Must be able to identify oneself in a professional manner in all situations.

Must be able to identify problems / issues and to creatively solve them.

Must be proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook).

Must have a valid NJ Driver's license and a reliable vehicle with insurance.

Must be able to do home visits throughout Essex County, NJ