OPS Parent Peer Partner

ABOUT RYTHER:
Helping children, youth, young adults, and their families find their path to healing and hope is at the core of our work. We can only achieve this by striving for excellence and providing an array of services that are needed and wanted by the community we serve. We are continuing to expand our service array and locations where we provide services, with therapists in more schools and social service agencies. As we expand our services to serve more than 800 children, youth, and young adults each month – regardless of payer, gender identity, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, or place of origin – we do so with the intention that we would want our own families to use these services should they need them. The staff at Ryther are committed to creating and maintaining a culture that is informed and reflective of trauma recovery and racial equity and social justice principles.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The OPS Parent Peer Partner utilizes their own experiences as the parent/caregiver of a youth who has experienced emotional or behavioral issues, and involvement in one or more child serving systems, to deliver direct supportive services to parents/caregivers of a youth referred to or receiving outpatient therapy services. The Parent Partner ensures that parent/caregiver/family voice and choice is understood and utilized by other treatment team members. Connects families to supports and resources within their community, and engages youth and family in the treatment process. Advocates for family needs within the team and community. Provides services in client homes, schools or other convenient community locations.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Provide peer counseling and support to parents/caregivers, drawing on common experience to encourage hope and inspire a sense of agency.
Promote self-determination, empowerment, personal responsibility for recovery and wellness, and assist parents/caregivers in advocating for themselves and their children.
Engage youth and families in the treatment process by sharing personal experience and/or explaining treatment process in relation to family’s identified needs and concerns.
Act as a bridge between families and system representatives on the team.
Assist in creating treatment Plans by identifying relevant community resources and developing strategies to utilize and build upon strengths of the caregiver and youth.
Collaborate with the treatment team to promote a culture within which each client’s point of view, experience, and preferences are recognized, understood, and respected, and client decision-making maximized.
Assist parents/caregivers in gaining skills to advocate for themselves when treatment planning and in other system settings.
Assist families in identifying existing and building new community and natural supports.
Identify opportunities for natural supports to participate in the treatment team.
Provide resource referrals and linkages to parents/caregivers and system partners.
Assist families in navigating systems to have their needs met.
As appropriate, assist caregiver by providing short-term intensive care coordination and facilitating family collaboration with hospitals, CLIP facilities, CCORS, or other crisis providers.
Partner with treatment team to promote family involvement on all levels of care, service delivery, and policy development.
Attend and participate in clinical consultation, staff meetings, and supervision appointments.
Maintain complete and timely clinical documentation, including gathering data in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
Participate in supervision with assigned supervisor.
Demonstrate a high degree of skill in communication and positive interaction with all Ryther employees, prospective employees, external agencies/companies, and the community at large.
Perform all other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL JOB REQUIREMENTS

Commitment to the Mission, Vision, and Values of the agency.
21 years of age.
High School Diploma or equivalent required. AA or BA in a Behavioral Science related field preferred.
Ability to perform a range of physical motions including but not limited to:
- lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs.,
- standing, walking, sitting for long periods of time,
- kneeling, squatting, and stooping; and
- running for brief periods of time.
Ability to exercise discretion and maintain both client and employee confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA, contract requirements, or other applicable laws and regulations
Certified Peer Counselor training completed.
Self-identify as a parent or guardian of child/youth with significant emotional or behavioral issues having involvement with at least one child serving system of care.
Evidence of maintaining stability in their own recovery for at least one year.
Experience advocating for and partnering with parents/caregivers of multi-systems involved children.
Strong knowledge of and experience with crisis planning.
Experienced positive youth and family outcomes.
Acceptance of a variety of lifestyles, behaviors, cultural, and spiritual practices. Ability to maintain awareness of culturally relevant issues while interaction with children, families, co-workers, and community members.
Lived experience addressing a behavioral health diagnosis required.
1 year of relevant experience with social services and mental health agencies in working with people who need assistance preferred.
Valid Washington state driver's license and automobile liability insurance.
Provide own means of reliable transportation and able to transport clients in the community.
Ability to work with a strengths-based model.
Understanding of child development, child psychology, and basic understanding of psycho-pharmacology.
Awareness of the public mental health system.
Ability to operate as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team.
Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality.
Excellent written/verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Flexibility and ability to work a varied schedule including evenings and weekends.
Effective computer skills, including but not limited to, Microsoft Office & Electronic Health Records.
The ability to accommodate a moderate level of stress.
The ability to address and resolve conflict in a professional manner.

AGENCY COMMITTMENTS

Commitment to the Mission, Vision, and Values of the agency.
Accept and positively engage with people with a variety of lifestyles, behaviors, cultural and spiritual practices and ability statuses.
Effectively manage own work while working within a team environment.
Adapt and respond effectively to change.

SUPERVISOR: OPS Program Manager

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