About The Family Center/La Familia
Since 1995, TFC/LF has served as Larimer County’s only early childhood and family resource centers. Now one of 32 family resource centers in the state, TFC/LF provides high quality early childhood education (ECE) to more than 75 children whose parents work and attend school, extensive crisis and family strengthening services as well as leadership and policy opportunities to more than 500 families annually. With more than 60% of the staff at TFC/LF being bilingual, TFC/LF is a trusted and safe place for Latinx families and is looked to by the Fort Collins and surrounding community as a leader in racial equity work.
The Family Center/La Familia is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 and over, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, color, religion, national origin, disability, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law.
Mission, Vision, and Values
Working alongside diverse families we provide high quality childcare and supportive services, with an emphasis on cultural attunement with the Latinx community. This work is done with an explicit vision of creating a community in which all families are safe, supported, and thriving. Our six core values are; Trust - Inspiring confidence and mutual respect creates a foundation for reliable support and good stewardship. Compassion - Every person has inherent dignity and is worthy of respect and empathy. Diversity – Non dominant cultures, identities, perspectives, and experiences are celebrated, embraced, and inform direction. Equity - The structural, cultural, and relational inequities experienced by oppressed groups must be courageously recognized and dismantled. Inclusion - All people feel welcome, valued, and empowered to contribute to, and participate in, community. Love - Loving, healthy relationships are critical for children in the first five years of life and benefit the child, the family, and the entire community.
Position Description
The Peer Support Specialist uses personal, lived experience with mental health conditions or substance use recovery to mentor, support, and assist families with resource navigation. This position will support the implementation of a Peer Support Program at La Familia. Key responsibilities include offering peer support, data entry, connecting clients to community and behavioral health resources; and facilitating individual or group support.
Supervisor: Executive Director
Classification: Part Time (25 hours/week), Non-Exempt, Hourly
Starting Wage: $21.00 per hour
ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Peer Support
· Provide Mentorship: Apply the basic principles of intentional peer support to build trust and model positive coping skills
· Facilitate Support: Lead one-on-one sessions and group workshops focused on wellness, goal setting, and daily problem-solving
· Resource Navigation: Connect clients with essential services like housing, food, employment, healthcare, transportation and programs offered by TFC/LF
· Collaborate with Teams: Partner with staff, case managers, and behavioral health partners to support integrated client care plans
· Data Collection: Maintain accurate, timely records and progress notes in customer database, attendance lists, peer support intake, etc. Collaborate with Program Manager to ensure proper reporting metrics
· Continuous Education: Maintain proper certifications as required by the center to comply with quality standards
· Collaborate with Families: Work collaboratively with families towards the general goals of increasing family stability, improving family functioning and increasing the self-sufficiency of the family
· Coordination: Coordinates all outreach, navigation, educational and enrollment activities for Peer Support in Spanish and English
Assist with other assigned duties and tasks as deemed necessary and relevant to the position.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Also must pass a state and federal background check.
General Skills
· Knowledge and commitment to the mission, vision, and values of The Family Center/La Familia and demonstrates behaviors that are consistent with our values
· Understanding of racism, oppression, liberation and commitment to ongoing learning about their dynamics in working with families, particularly families of color
· Passion for social justice, leadership development, education, and advocacy
· Identify the skills and leadership of the community to create positive change in their own community (work "with" not "for")
· Ability to manage multiple tasks and to develop solutions to problems with limited supervision
· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse team of staff, as well as various internal and external stakeholders
· Be flexible and open to change and unexpected circumstances as they arise
Experience
· Knowledge and understanding of needs among the Spanish-speaking and Latinx community, particularly among families with mental health or substance use disorders
· 2-3 years working with Latinx community members or 1-2 years program coordination
· Knowledge of available resources
· Understanding of issues facing the Latinx community
Education
· High School Diploma or GED
· Completion Certification of Intentional Peer Support
Language Ability
· Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business documents, and technical procedures
· Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals
· Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions
· Transparent, open, and positive communication
· Positive relationships and collaboration with the Latinx community. Trusted and respected by the community
· Ability to communicate clearly about issues that impact the Latinx community (health topics, resident rights, housing, economic opportunity, barriers to equity...)
· Written and spoken bilingual fluency in English/Spanish, native Spanish speaker preferred
Financial and Math Ability
· Ability to record and calculate outreach efforts and program attendance
· Ability to review, understand, and follow basic equations and tables for program eligibility
Computer Skills
· To perform this job successfully, an individual should have strong knowledge of Word Processing software; Spreadsheet software; Internet software; including but not limited to; Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Mail Merges, and database management
Physical Demands
· The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk and hear.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
· Paid sick time to begin accrual immediately upon hire
· Paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s
· Flexible work schedules
· Retirement plan contributions available
Pay: From $21.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Language:
Work Location: In person
