Family Support Peer Specialist

About the role

The Family Support Peer Specialist is responsible for visiting the Department of Children and Families (DCF) referred client families in their place of residence within the state of Massachusetts to provide assistance in meeting their basic needs and help parents build self-reliance and family stability. The role also involves providing education in parenting skills, home management skills, psycho education in Mental Health and Domestic Violence to caregivers and assisting families in identifying and accessing community resources. Additionally, the Family Support Peer Specialist may supervise visitation between parents and children removed from home by DCF and provide transportation to children and visits while ensuring children’s safety and adequate supervision.

Responsibilities

• Perform as a member of Community Based Providers, working with the Department of Children and Families.
• Visit with each family at client homes or other required location for the number of hours contracted.
• Maintain ongoing phone contact with clients, social workers and other providers as deemed necessary in helping families reach their goals and lower the level of risk in their homes.
• Develop and maintain a supportive, professional relationship with caregivers or parents, empowering them to accept the help and services necessary to adequately provide the basic needs of all household members.
• Meet with clients during times of their availability, which may vary according to their work or school schedules. This may include some evenings or early mornings.
• Provide goals outlined in the treatment plan, designed to stabilize high-risk families and prevent out-of-home placements of children. Services may include parent education and skills development, budgeting and household management skills and helping families access support and services within their community.
• Link clients and families with community resources as needed.
• Provide transportation or assist clients in arranging transportation as needed to fulfill their responsibilities as parents reach identified goals.
• May assist with housing search and liaise with local housing authority. May provide supervised parenting visits coordinated with the Department of Children and Families.
• May assist with housing search and liaise with local housing authority. May provide supervised parenting visits coordinated with the Department of Children and Families.
• May assist with housing search and liaise with local housing authority. May provide supervised parenting visits coordinated with the Department of Children and Families.
• May assist with housing search and liaise with local housing authority. May provide supervised parenting visits coordinated with the Department of Children and Families.
• May assist with housing search and liaise with local housing authority. May provide supervised parenting visits coordinated with the Department of Children and Families.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in human services, Social Work, Counseling or a related field or less than a bachelor's degree but with 3 years commensurate home visiting experience.
• Experience working with a social service delivery team.
• Experience working with family dynamics, families in conflict, and families of diverse culture and ethnicity in a home-based environment.
• Experience with providing services to culturally diverse communities and families/participants.
• Knowledge of personal and client safety obtained through related work and training is necessary.
• Parenting experience or extensive knowledge of the parenting role and responsibilities.
• Understanding of health, behavioral health and developmental issues within the family and sensitivity to the needs, interests, and capacities of the parents as primary caregivers.
• Ability to work as a team member with other professionals; to address the cultural and ethnic diversity of families; and to understand and maintain confidentiality and boundaries.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle with proof of adequate insurance coverage for work related travel to client homes and other locations.
• Demonstrated maturity and self-awareness.
• Flexibility to work early mornings, evenings and weekends as needed.
• Ability to navigate stairs in residences without elevator access.
• Good communication, writing, editing and typing skills with attention to detail.
• Good computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Office, Outlook and the use of the Virtual Gateway for Department of Children and Families reporting information.
• Bi-lingual preferred, Spanish, Haitian creole, Portuguese.