Ohio Start Peer Mentor

Description

We are currently recruiting for an Ohio START Family Peer Mentor to work with customers in our Lorain County locations.

Summary

An Ohio START Family Peer Mentor provides peer support to help families navigate through the child welfare and other systems while also providing hope and motivation to promote healing to keep children safe and families together. An Ohio START Family Peer Mentor serves families referred to the PCSA due to child maltreatment with substance abuse being the primary risk factor.

Essential Functions

The Ohio START Family Peer Mentor serves as a member of the local START team along with the child welfare caseworker, child welfare supervisor, and behavioral health service 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 of no more than 10-12 families.

The Ohio START Family Peer Mentor’s roles and responsibilities include:

• Participating as an active member of the Ohio START team;
• Working jointly with the Ohio START case worker and behavioral health provider to ensure seamless and efficient delivery of intensive wrap-around services to the START families on his or her caseload to assist with the safety of the child(ren);
• Participating in initial meetings, weekly status meetings and Family Team Meetings to review families’ progress and child safety in their respective cases.
• Providing 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);
• Supporting the parent(s) in achieving personal independence;
• Connecting START families to community resources;
• Teaching families skills to effectively navigate to the child welfare system;
• Assisting families with identifying and accessing natural support systems in the community;
• Promoting coordination and linkage among providers within local community;
• Coordinating or providing assistance in crisis interventions and stabilization of families;
• Assisting families to develop of empowerment skills through promoting self-advocacy;
• Identify barriers (internal and external) to full participation in community resources and developing strategies to overcome those barriers;
• Providing input on court forms as needed; and
• Providing input on development of the case plan and child safety.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Requirements

The START Family Peer Mentor must:

• Demonstrate long term recovery (recommended 3 years) from a SUD;
• Demonstrate no ongoing criminal activity;
• Have lived experience with the child welfare system either as a parent or child, with the case closed at least one year or if do not have direct CPS experience, be able to describe how your substance use affected your children and family; and
• Maintain a current driver’s license.
  
  

The START Family Peer Mentor should have knowledge or be able to attain knowledge of:

• Alcohol and drugs (pharmacology)
• Behaviors associated with addiction
• Court processes
• Diversity
• Ethics
• Family dynamics
• Family Team Meetings
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• Human behavior
• Local resources and services
• Maintain confidentiality
• Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT)
• Pathology of addiction
• Process of recovery
• Ohio START Program
• Self-help programs
• Signs of child abuse and neglect
• Trauma Informed Care
• Treatment options
  
  

The START Family Peer Mentor Should Have Skills In

• Advocacy
• Coaching
• Communication (listening, verbal, nonverbal, written)
• Computers
• Coping
• Crisis intervention
• Cultural competency
• De-escalation
• Driving
• Motivational interviewing
• Multi-tasking
• Negotiation
• Networking
• Observation
• Organization
• Parenting
• Problem solving
• Professionalism
• Setting personal/professional boundaries
• Time management
  
  

The Ideal Candidate Will Possess The Following Traits

• Common sense
• Compassion
• Creativity
• Empathy
• Honesty
• Integrity
• Non-judgmental
• Open-mind
• Patience
• Personable
• Positivity
• Professional courage
• Reliability
• Self-motivation
• Sympathy
• Tolerance
  
  

Must adhere to the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board's Chemical Dependency Code of Ethics and demonstrate an understanding of addiction as an illness. Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. Good computer skills required. Must have the ability to effectively work with agency employees, outside contacts, and a diverse client population. Must possess valid Driver’s License and have a good driving record (insurable through agency's automobile insurance carrier.)

Educational Requirements

High School Diploma or GED required.

Certification Requirements

Must be eligible to obtain CDCA certification.

Amount of Travel: Moderate, mostly confined to local travel.

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week. Occasional evenings may be required.

Salary Range: Salary commensurate with licensure and experience.

Equal Opportunity Employer. Drug Free Workplace.

ABOUT Riveon Mental Health And Recovery

Our customers discover their path to recovery with us—where help is always here, always ready. As their single point of access to the full spectrum of behavioral health services, we’re here for our communities 24/7, offering immediate support and continuous care for every age and diagnosis. Helping individuals find the help they need in one place, in an environment where they always belong.

Brand Values

Our unconditional commitment to the quality of care and the way care is provided by our staff and experienced by our clients and the community is reflected in our brand pillars:

• COLLABORATION: We believe in the strength of partnership, where professionals from different disciplines work together to address the complex needs of our clients.
• COMPASSION: We believe in treating everyone with empathy, kindness, and understanding.
• DIGNITY: We believe in ensuring all clients feel valued and respected as they improve their overall health and well-being.
• EXCELLENCE: We believe in delivering evidenced-based behavioral health services, where and when you need it, with a dedicated, high-quality staff.
• INCLUSIVENESS: We believe in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, where every individual has equitable access to care.
• EMPOWERMENT: We believe in equipping individuals and families with the tools for long-term health and success.