PTFFC Peer Support Specialist

Pathways is designated as a Mental Health Rehabilitation/Targeted Case Management (MHR/TCM) Provider Center of Excellence by Superior HealthPlan for our Mosaic Behavioral Health program. This recognition places Pathways among a select group of providers across Texas identified for delivering high-quality, effective, and responsive behavioral health services. As a Center of Excellence, Pathways is recognized as a provider who produces strong outcomes, earns high caregiver satisfaction, and possesses a stellar record of quality and compliance. 

We are honored that families continue to report feeling supported and empowered through Mosaic services and that children and youth demonstrate meaningful progress toward their goals while in care. This designation reflects the dedication of our staff, the trust of the families and caregivers we serve, and the strong partnerships we share with community agencies across Texas.

Job Summary

The Peer Support Specialist for Pathways Treatment Family Foster Care (PTFFC) is responsible for providing ongoing support for the child and their foster family by reinforcing, modeling and engaging the child or adolescent in empathetic and insightful conversation, grounded in the principles of evidenced based practices such as TBRI and Together Facing the Challenge. This position will bolster the implementation of the skills and concepts created by the treatment team and provide backup for the PTFFC program staff when needed. 

Essential Duties:

• Assess, support and augment the child’s emotional, psychological, and physical needs throughout the more challenging times of the child’s and family’s day. Apply educational knowledge and formalized training to make recommendations as to the type of help they need.
• Support their education by assisting in homework, celebrating success, and following the guidelines set forth by the QMHP and treatment team for social behavior and life skills. Observe and draw upon their knowledge and formalized training to make recommendations for changes in educational support, when needed.
• Teach and guide the family in implementing daily activity schedules set forth by the PTFFC Family Specialist including, but not limited to chores, schoolwork, and recreation.
• Observe, monitor and direct the family and child in following individual service/treatment plans. Make recommendations to enhance the individual/treatment plans based on your observations, experience, and educational knowledge, when needed.  
• Observe and document changes in behavior or symptoms of dysregulation. 
• Facilitate the family in outings that may be stressful for the child or adolescent as needed. 
• Teach children and families throughout the PTFFC process by the modeling and coaching of TBRI and TFTC skills in accordance with the Individualized Treatment/Service Plans.
• Instruct children in the development of effective basic life and social skills and routines while providing encouragement and guidance to engage in activities that engender feelings of attachment, support and community.  
• Use discretion and judgement as to which methods and models are most effective in helping the families navigate through difficult times. Teach the families in real time to effectively maneuver through difficult times of transition and acts as a mentor and support to both the child and the PTFFC parents.
• Responsible for maintaining one week of on call crisis readiness on a rotating basis.

Supervisor:                            Program Manager.

Supervises:                           N/A.

Caseload:                               Average of 10-12 clients.

Work Environment:              This is primarily a field-based position with some in office responsibilities.

Work Hours:                          Work an average of 40 hours per week. Work hours set by the PTFFC Program Manager (and approved by the PTFFC Director) with allowances in scheduling to be available to meet with staff, children, and families during times and dates convenient for all parties involved (i.e. evenings and weekends).

Classification:                       Non-exempt.

Education & Experience     

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Education, Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Human Services, or related area required.
• Two years of personal and/or professional experience working with children diagnosed with behavioral and emotional disorders.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Working knowledge of the needs of children placed in substitute care.
• Ability to support the agency's culture, growth, and success through communication, accountability, and positivity.
• Ability to be clear-headed and decisive based on the scope of the position.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively both individually and as part of a team.
• Ability to appropriately accept feedback through the supervision process thus displaying the willingness to learn, grow, and improve.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Skilled in approaching care/services from a strengths-based perspective.
• Competent in using Microsoft Word, Google, Excel, PowerPoint, GoTo Meeting, the Internet, and other software applications.
• Effective organizational skills.

Additional Requirements

• Proof of valid Texas Driver's License (Type C) and at least three years of driving experience.
• Access to reliable transportation.
• Proof of valid/current auto insurance.
• Cleared motor vehicle driving record.
• Three employment references.
• Cleared criminal background check and signed statements regarding felony indictments/convictions.
• Cleared TB test results (current within 12 months prior to employment).
• Cleared pre-employment drug test.
• Working cellular telephone. 

Physical and Mental Demands

With or without reasonable accommodation, the physical and mental requirements of this job may include the following: frequent seeing, hearing, speaking, and writing clearly. Occasional reaching with hands and arms, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, frequent sitting, standing and walking may be required for long periods and may involve climbing stairs, walking up inclines and on uneven terrain. Additional physical requirements may include, frequent lifting and or moving up to 25 pounds. Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.