Job Information
OLV Human Services Family Peer Specialist in Lackawanna, New York
Family Peer Specialist
790 Ridge Rd, Lackawanna, NY 14218, USAReq #44
Monday, April 1, 2024
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of families navigating mental health services?
Join us as a Family Peer Specialist at OLV Human Services and become a vital link between families and our OMH programs.
In this role, you'll provide invaluable support, serving as a liaison to address concerns, coordinate advocacy efforts, and ensure families have the resources they need. Your dedication will help strengthen family bonds and empower them to navigate challenges with confidence.
If you're ready to be a catalyst for positive change and support families through their journey, apply now and help us make a lasting impact.
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Responsible to: Family Adovcate Coordinator
Job Summary:
Family Peer Support Services (FPSS) represent one of the six new children’s and behavioral health Medicaid State Plan services authorized under Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) benefits. Collectively known as “Children and Family Treatment and Support Services” (CFTSS), they are designed to work individually or in a coordinated, comprehensive manner, depending upon the unique needs of the child/youth and family. Also, the need for services may vary depending upon the child’s age, developmental stage, needs of the family/caregiver, whether the child has an identified behavioral health need, and/or the degree of the child’s complex clinical needs. Based on these variances, children/youth can access the services in a variety of ways. Anyone can make a referral for services, but the determination for access and service provision must be made by a licensed practitioner. Family Peer Support Services (FPSS) are an array of formal and informal activities and supports provided to families caring for/raising a child who is experiencing social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges in their home, school, placement, and/or community.
Essential Job Duties:
– Family Peer Specialist will provide a structured, supportive, strength-based relationship with the parent/family member/caregiver for the benefit of the child/youth. Activities included must be intended to achieve the identified goals or objectives as set forth in the child/youth’s treatment plan.
– Travel to the family home or community location as needed to provide supports.
– Provide documentation in EMR of services provided.
– Meet with Supervisor on a regular basis to discuss family needs and progress.
– Attends NYS OMH accreditation for a Family Peer Support Advocate, during first year of hire.
– Maintains certification as a CFPA annually.
– Acts as liaison with outside treatment providers as needed.
– Attends all required internal trainings to maintain competence in position and attends external trainings as directed or per request, for ongoing professional growth and development.
– Complies with all federal and state regulations and agency policies pertaining to HIPAA, false claims, whistleblower policies and all others.
– Any other duty as requested by your supervisor.
Skills:
• Computer skills
• Knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis
• Knowledge of OMH regulatory expectations
• Knowledge of electronic record keeping
Competency Template: Direct Care
Minimum Education Required:
High School Diploma/G.E.D.
Minimum Experience Required:
At least one year working with families of individuals with Behavioral Health involvement or an Intellectual Disability.
Required License/Registration/ Certification:
• Valid New York State Driver’s License
• Must be a New York State Credentialed Family Peer Advocate (CFPA) or a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate -- Family (CRPA-Family).
The qualifications for each are as follows:
– OMH-Credentialed Family Peer Advocate: To be eligible for the non-provisional FPA Credential, the individual must:
• Demonstrate ‘lived experience’ as a parent or primary caregiver who has navigated multiple child serving systems on behalf of their child(ren) with social, emotional, developmental, health and/or behavioral healthcare needs.
• Have a high school diploma, high school equivalency preferred or a State Education Commencement Credential (e.g., SACC or CDOS – see Definitions). This educational requirement can be waived by the State if the person has demonstrated competencies and has relevant life experience sufficient for the peer credential.
• Complete Level One and Level Two of the Parent Empowerment Program Training for Family Peer Advocates or approved comparable training.
• Submit three letters of reference attesting to proficiency in and suitability for the role of a Family Peer Advocate (FPA) including one from the FPA’s supervisor.
• Document 1,000 hours of experience providing Family Peer Support Services.
• Agree to practice according to the Family Peer Advocate Code of Ethics.
• Complete 20 hours of continuing education and renew his or her FPA credential every two years.
– Provisional Family Peer Advocate: An FPA may obtain a provisional credential that will allow the services to be billed if the applicant has:
• Demonstrated ‘lived experience’ as a parent or primary caregiver who has navigated multiple child serving systems on behalf of their child(ren) with social, emotional, developmental, health, and/or behavioral healthcare needs.
• A high school diploma, high school equivalency preferred, or a State Education Commencement Credential (e.g., SACC or CDOS – see Definitions). This educational requirement can be waived by the State if the person has demonstrated competencies and has relevant life experience sufficient for the peer credential.
• Completed Level One of the Parent Empowerment Program Training for Family Peer Advocates or approved comparable training.
• Submitted two letters of reference attesting to proficiency in and suitability for the role of a Family Peer Advocate (FPA).
•Agreed to practice according to the Family Peer Advocate Code of Ethics.
• An FPA with a provisional credential must complete all other requirements of the Professional Family Peer Advocate credential within 18 months of commencing employment as a provisional FPA.
– OASAS-Certified Recovery Peer Advocate with a Family Specialty (CRPA-Family): To be certified as a CPRA-Family, the individual must be at least 18 years of age and:
• Demonstrate lived experience as a primary caregiver of a youth who has participated in (or navigated) the addiction services system. They provide education, outreach, advocacy, and recovery support services for families seeking and sustaining recovery on behalf of a child or youth
• Have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Degree (GED) preferred or a State Education Commencement Credential)
• Complete a minimum of 46 hours of content specific training covering advocacy, mentoring/education, recovery/wellness support, and ethical responsibility
• Document 500 hours of related work or volunteer experience
• Provide evidence of at least 25 hours of supervision in a peer role
• Pass the NYCB/IC&RC Peer Advocate Exam or other exam by an OASAS designated certifying body
• Demonstrate a minimum of 20 hours in the area of Family Support (combined online and classroom training)
• Complete 10 hours of continuing education per year of certification, including 2 hours of Ethics
Training:
• New Hire Orientation
• All required agency trainings
• All trainings required by programs in which you service individuals
• Continuing education as per NYS Office of Profession guidelines
Physical Requirements:
The overall nature of the position is sedentary requiring little physical effort with occasional light physical exertion required. There is little, if any, exposure to environmental conditions
• The constant physical demand of the position is sitting.
• The frequent physical demands of the position are standing, walking, climbing, talking, hearing, repetitive motions, and eye/hand/foot coordination.
• The occasional physical demands of the position are lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, balancing, stooping, crouching, reaching, handling, grasping, and feeling
Other details
Pay TypeHourly
Min Hiring Rate$17.00
Max Hiring Rate$20.00
Travel RequiredYes
Required EducationHigh School
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- 790 Ridge Rd, Lackawanna, NY 14218, USA