Parent/Caregiver Peer Support Specialist

Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources is actively seeking a motivated and caring Parent/Caregiver Peer Support Specialist to work with youth and families in the PBMHR Service area. The Parent/Caregiver Peer Support Specialist position will provide services in Jones and Wayne Counties as part of the CMHI program. Work hours are M-F, 8a-5p; Some night/weekends in relation to community outreach events or TBRI Parent/Caregiver Training required. The Parent/Caregiver Peer Support Specialist plays a vital role in the agency by providing expertise about the recovery process, symptom management, and the persistence required by families/youth to have a satisfying life.

The Parent/Caregiver Peer Support Specialist must be a first degree family member (parent/legal guardian) of an individual who has received treatment for and self-identifies as a consumer or former mental health consumer.

For 50 years, Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources has served individuals throughout the Pine Belt. Through an extensive continuum of care, we strive to enable adults with serious mental illnesses, children with serious emotional disturbances, and individuals with an addiction or developmental disability to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. Our eighteen county service area includes Amite, Franklin, Forrest, Hancock, Harrison, Jones, Lamar, Lawrence, Covington, Greene, Jeff Davis, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Stone, Walthall, Wayne Counties.

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• DMH Certified Peer Support Specialist Preferred or may apply for certification at https://www.dmh.ms.gov/service-options/peer-support/
• Must possess a valid Mississippi Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record
• Reliable transportation needed to provide services in the community
• Knowledge of how to establish and sustain self-help (mutual support) and educational groups by soliciting input from the mental health consumers on their strengths and interests
• Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of mental illness and the ability to assist the client to address symptoms using strategies such as positive self-talk

Responsibilities:

• Advocates for youth by providing information in terms that youth and families can understand through various formal and informal settings.
• Assists with targeted outreach, medication monitoring, system navigation, and advocacy.
• Engages families and youth to help them/loved ones to be successful and meet their goals.
• Functions as a role model to peers by exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills.
• Provides a range of structured activities that are provided face to face to assist individuals in their recovery/resiliency process. These activities will support the goals of the individual's documented individual Service Plan and/or Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).