Job Summary
LAPP is seeking to fill the position of the Ohio START Family Peer Mentor. The Ohio Start Family Peer Mentor helps families navigate the child welfare and other systems by providing peer support and promoting healing to keep children safe and families together. The Ohio START Family Peer Mentor serves families referred to Licking County Job and Family Services (JFS) due to maltreatment with substance use being the primary risk factor. The Ohio START Family Peer Mentor will be housed at JFS and serves as a member of the local START team along with the child welfare caseworker, child welfare supervisor, and behavioral health provider. The goal of the entire team is to keep children safe and families together. The Ohio START Family Peer Mentor will have a caseload no more than 10-12 families. This position will be jointly supervised by the JFS START supervisor and LAPP Behavioral Health Peer Supervisor.
Responsibilities
· Participate as an active member of the Ohio START team.
· Assist with the safety of the child(ren) by working collaboratively with the Ohio START caseworker and behavioral health provider to ensure the seamless and efficient delivery of intensive wrap-around services to the START families on their caseload.
· Participate in initial meetings, weekly status meetings and Family Team Meetings to review families’ progress and child safety in their respective cases.
· Provide continual exploration of family’s needs to empower the family to take ownership over their long-term successes and the safety of the child(ren).
· Support the parent(s) to achieve personal independence.
· Connect START families to community resources.
· Teach families skills to effectively navigate the child welfare system.
· Assist families to identify and access natural support systems in the community.
· Promote coordination and linkage among providers within local community.
· Coordinate access to crisis intervention services and assist with family stabilization.
· Teach START families self-advocacy and empowerment skills.
· Identify barriers (internal and external) to full participation in community resources and develop strategies to overcome those barriers.
· Provide input on court forms as needed; and
· Provide input on development of the case plan and child safety.
Qualifications
Be able to be certified by the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health as an Ohio Peer Recovery Supporter. (Assistance will be provided during training period).
Demonstrate long term recovery (at least 2 years is required, three years is preferred) from a substance use disorder.
· Have earned a minimum education level of GED.
· Demonstrate no ongoing criminal activity for a minimum of 2 years.
· Have lived experience with the child welfare system as a parent, with the case closed at least one year, or indirect lived experience with the child welfare system. Indirect lived experience means the candidate navigated a system (mental health, SUD recovery, public benefits, court, etc.) coupled with 1) intervention by a relative who took informal/formal custody of their child(ren), 2) an understanding of how their substance use/recovery affected their own children, or 3) raising a child of a relative/friend with a substance use disorder.
· Maintain a current driver’s license with acceptable driving history, insurance, and ability to be insured by LAPP’s liability insurance.
The Family Peer Mentor should have knowledge or able to attain knowledge of:
· Alcohol and other substances including the pathology of addiction
· Human behaviors and those associated with addiction
· Court processes
· Diversity
· Ethical practices
· Family dynamics
· Family team meetings
· HIPPA and maintaining confidentiality
· Human behaviors
· Local resources
· Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) and Opioid Overdose Reversal Medications (Naloxone)
· Navigating systems
· Process of recovery
· Ohio START Program
· Self-Help and support systems
· Signs of child abuse and neglect
· Traum Informed Care
· Behavioral Health, including SUD treatment options
The START Family Peer Mentor should have skills in:
· Advocacy
· Coaching
· Communication (listening, verbal, nonverbal, written)
· Computer and technology
· Coping
· Crisis intervention and support
· Cultural competency
· De-escalation
· Driving
· Motivational Interviewing (MI)
· Multi-tasking
· Negotiation
· Networking/Collaboration
· Observation
· Organization
· Parenting
· Problem Solving
· Professionalism
· Setting personal/professional boundaries
· Time management
Traits desired for the ideal candidate:
· Common sense
· Compassion, empathy, and sympathy
· Creativity and self-motivation
· Honesty and integrity
· Non-judgmental, tolerance, and open-minded
· Patience, personable, and positivity
· Professional courage and Self-motivation
· Reliability
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Licking County Alcoholism Prevention Program (LAPP) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. LAPP does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Bereavement leave
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Loan forgiveness
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Application Question(s):
- Do you meet all of the requirements listed on this job position?
License/Certification:
- Ohio Peer Supporter Certification (Preferred)
- Ohio Driver's License (Required)
Work Location: In person
