STEPS Kinship Peer Support Specialist

Department: College of Social Work
Location: Lexington, KY
Type: Temporary, Full-Time

About the Role

The STEPS Kinship Peer Support Specialist will work within the Kentucky Kinship Information, Navigation, and Support (KY-KINS) program housed in the College of Social Work’s Kentucky Kinship Resource Center (KKRC).

Responsibilities

• Provide structured peer support and outreach to kinship caregivers.
• Support KY-KINS participants in an array of “life” areas, including home stresses, familial dynamics, goal setting, social relationships, and locating local and state resources through regular one-on-one and small group interactions with families and caregivers.
• Promote positive behavior through experiential sharing, behavior modeling, goal setting, skill development, promoting self-efficacy, and fostering the development of healthy social capital.
• Contact new caregivers referred to the program to inform them of program services and register for participation.
• Complete documentation of services provided and communication with caregivers in the kinship portal/database.
• Participate in professional development trainings/UK mandated trainings to maintain Family Peer Support Specialist certification and provide high-quality services.
• Maintain confidentiality for all caregivers/families served.
• Engage in a rigorous 40+ hour training protocol and have the opportunity to receive a Family Peer Support Certification through the KY Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities.
• Occasional travel required.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• At least 1.5 years “lived” experience as a kinship caregiver for a child.
• Extensive first-hand, or “lived”, personal experience with kinship caregiving.
• Experience working with varied and diverse individuals and groups.
• Knowledge of policy, processes, and resources associated with kinship caregiving.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work as a team member.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Ability to manage your schedule ensuring all duties are performed.
• Immediate access to internet connections that will support video calling or Zoom meetings.
• Customer service oriented.
• Computer and data entry skills as well as the ability to utilize Microsoft Office Suite.

Physical Requirements

• Repetitive motion typical of desk work (sitting, bending, typing, twisting).
• Prolonged exposure to computer screen.
• Pushing, lifting, or pulling up to 20 lbs.

Schedule

Flexible schedule, daytime to early evening hours; 40 hours/week.

Pay

$20.00/hour