Family Partner Behavioral Specialist

POSITION: Behavioral Health Specialist

SUPERVISOR: Family Partner Supervisor

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt

LOCATION:Flexible – Remote and In-Office

Summary of Main Function/Purpose of Position:

The Family Partner-Behavioral Health Specialist role supports families and loved ones experiencing mental health, substance use, problem gambling, co-occurring, or other behavioral health concerns and requires lived experience with a family member or loved one who was affected by these disorders. Following comprehensive training, the FP-BHS will provide family-to-family peer support and information on accessing and navigating systems of care. These activities will include: outreach, education and training, advocacy, information dissemination, referrals, and follow-up services to families navigating the complexities of care systems, as well as the educational system for caregivers of youth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide individualized education and support to families experiencing behavioral health challenges of their loved ones, helping them navigate social, legal, educational, and healthcare systems.
• Help families create and implement personalized plans, offering emotional support, identifying needs and strengths, and connecting families with appropriate resources, services, and community supports.
• Help families build their own community-based support networks, integrating their goals into comprehensive plans based on their specific needs.
• Facilitate the development of family plans using a strength-based approach, coordinating and helping access services, complete forms, and understand their rights.
• Ensure families are active partners in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating their own plans.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with state and local agencies and service providers across behavioral health, physical health, social services, and other relevant areas.
• Conduct training workshops for families to advocate for the needs of their family member or loved ones, including public education on Maryland Good Samaritan Law and its intent.
• Work with the PPMD team to keep an updated directory of behavioral health resources.
• Support families who have a loved one with disabilities and / or complex healthcare needs, collaborating with other PPMD staff as necessary.
• Maintain accurate and up‐to‐date files and documentation online for complete and timely data entry and reporting.
• Maintain confidentiality of family information.
• Conduct outreach and provide educational resource materials specifically regarding mental health, substance use, problem gambling, and/or co-occurring concerns.

Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge Requirements

• Highschool diploma or GED.
• Lived experience with a family member or loved one affected by mental health, substance use, problem gambling, and/or co-occurring concerns.
• Familiarity with state and local resources and how to access them.
• Personal knowledge and experience in the geographical area served, including its cultures, care systems, and resources.
• Demonstrated ability to engage families through active listening, strategic sharing, and empathy to promote a reduction in stigma, non-judgmental relationship and feeling of connection to foster family engagement.
• Prior experience in community outreach, health care, behavioral health, education, and/or social services.
• Prior experience providing peer-to-peer or Family Peer Support Services.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office software, Salesforce, SharePoint, project management and learning management software, preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills, fostering strong relationships with partners, including a high level of professionalism.
• Demonstrated commitment to teamwork and collaboration.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, multilingual is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and proactive in nature.
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills.
• Possession of a current Maryland driver’s license and access to own vehicle;

Mental Requirements

• COMPARING - Judging the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.
• ANALYZING - Examining and evaluating data. Presenting alternative actions in relation to the evaluation is frequently involved.
• COORDINATING - Determining time, place, and sequence of operations or action to be taken on the basis of analysis of data. May include prioritizing multiple responsibilities and/or accomplishing them simultaneously.
• SYNTHESIZING - To combine or integrate data to discover facts and/or develop knowledge or creative concepts and/or interpretations.
• NEGOTIATING - Exchanging ideas, information, and opinions with others to formulate policies and programs and/or jointly arrive at decisions, conclusions, solutions, or solve disputes.
• COMMUNICATING - Talking with and/or listening to and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information; includes giving/receiving assignments and/or directions.
• INSTRUCTING - Teaching subject matter to others, or training others through explanation, demonstration, and supervised practice; or making recommendations based on technical disciplines.
• INTERPERSONAL SKILLS/BEHAVIORS - Dealing with individuals with a range of moods and behaviors in a tactful, congenial, personal manner so as not to alienate or antagonize them.

Physical Requirements

• SEDENTARY - Exerts up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.
• HANDLING AND FINGERING - Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand or hands. Picking, pinching, or otherwise working primarily with fingers.
• TALKING - Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• HEARING - perceiving the nature of sounds so as to receive detailed information through oral communication.
• VISION ACUITY - Clarity of vision sufficient to read documents at 20”.
• COLOR VISION - Ability to identify and distinguish colors.

Environmental Conditions and Physical Surroundings

• General office environment
• Lighting is adequate
• Temperature is regulated and moderate
• Low likelihood of unavoidable hazardous conditions (standard office conditions)
• Moderate noise
• Moderate dust
• Standard office equipment accessible

Equipment Used

• office equipment such as computer, printer, copier, projector.
• automobile