Certified Parent Peer Support Specialist – Job Description

Summary

A Certified Parent Peer Support Specialist (CPPS) uses personal, lived experience as a parent or primary caregiver of a child, youth, or adult with behavioral health needs to support other families navigating mental health, substance use, gambling, or co‑occurring challenges. The role provides non‑clinical, strengths‑based peer support, system navigation assistance, advocacy, education, and linkage to community resources.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. Direct Family Support

• Provide one‑to‑one, non‑judgmental support, encouragement, and education to parents and caregivers of individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges.
• Help families clarify concerns, identify strengths, define needs, and develop realistic, solutions‑focused plans.
• Offer emotional support to families during crises or stressful care transitions.

2. Systems Navigation

• Assist families in navigating behavioral health, educational, legal, social service, and healthcare systems.
• Support families in understanding their rights, reviewing documents (IEPs, evaluations, reports), and completing forms required to access services.
• Provide guidance as families engage in meetings—school, care coordination teams, court, or agency meetings—and accompany them when appropriate.

3. Resource Linkage & Advocacy

• Educate families about available community resources, services, and supports; facilitate referrals and follow‑up.
• Advocate on behalf of families with agencies, providers, and systems to ensure needs are addressed and voices are heard.  
• Promote family engagement in treatment and encourage shared decision‑making in care planning.

4. Community Support Network Development

• Help families build natural support networks, connect with peer groups, and engage in community‑based resources.
• Provide or facilitate family engagement activities that strengthen support systems.

5. Education, Workshops & Outreach

• Facilitate educational workshops on behavioral health topics, system navigation, rights, and recovery concepts.
• Conduct community outreach and distribute educational materials related to mental health, substance use, problem gambling, and co‑occurring needs.

6. Documentation & Administrative Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation per agency and program requirements.
• Track contacts, referrals, follow‑up, and service data for reporting and quality assurance.
• Maintain positive working relationships with behavioral health, child‑serving, educational, and community agencies.

Required Qualifications

• Lived experience as a parent or primary caregiver of a child, youth, or adult with behavioral health challenges (mental health, substance use, gambling, or co‑occurring).
• Ability to use personal experience in a professional and supportive manner to help other families.
• Familiarity with Maryland’s behavioral health, education, and social service systems.
• Strong communication, advocacy, and collaboration skills.
• Comfort with documentation, basic computer skills, and service coordination.
• Residency in or ability to serve the geographic area required by the position (common requirement in MCF postings).

Preferred or Additional Qualifications

• Certification as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS‑Family) or willingness to complete required training.
• Experience facilitating groups, workshops, or community outreach.
• Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) if required for population served.

Work Environment

• May involve home‑based, remote, community‑based, or hybrid work settings depending on county and organizational assignment.
• Requires travel within assigned counties for meetings, outreach, and family support (mileage reimbursement often provided).