The primary purpose of the Parent Support Partner Service is to increase family involvement, voice and engagement and to equip parents with the skills necessary to address the challenges of raising a youth with special needs. The goal is to improve outcomes for youth with serious emotional disturbance and/or intellectual/developmental disabilities, including autism involved with the public mental health system in Oakland County.

The PSP service is provided by parents or primary caregivers with first-hand experience navigating the public mental health system and raising or has raised a child with mental health or developmental challenges. Support provided to a family by a PSP will focus on increasing confidence as they find their voice when partnering with service providers, and will empower the parent to develop sustainable, natural support networks. Parent Support Partners, serving as an equal member of the treatment team, will assist in identifying goals within the Family Centered Plan that will support the parent to find their voice and confidence in parenting a child with serious emotional disturbance (SED) and/or intellectual developmental disabilities (I/DD), including autism.

Parent Support Partners enhance the therapeutic process by increasing engagement expanding and increasing skills, knowledge and abilities so they can better partner with service providers.

1. Major Areas of Responsibility:

• SERVICES
• RESOURCES
• ADVOCACY
• CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

2. Essential Activities:

Services

• Provide peer delivered support to parents/primary caregivers of children and youth with SED/IDD, including autism, in the public mental health system
• Support parents to identify services that are meaningful and beneficial for their family.
• Supports parents to build confidence to use their voice as they navigate child serving systems
• Work individually with families whose children are receiving CMH services to provide additional supports and skill building to partner with service providers
• Support parent/ primary caregiver participation in all family driven-youth guided practices including development of a plan of service, treatment, choosing and guiding services and supports and assisting in development of goals related to Parent Support Partner services
• Team with others providing services and supports

Resources

• Provide support to caregivers/families in accessing community resources, support or education
• Provide support to caregivers/families in exploring, developing, and maintaining natural supports, i.e. family members and friends

Advocacy

• Demonstrate effective communication & collaboration
• Build and nurture relationships with families and other professionals working with the family
• Encourage the family to ask questions so they can make informed decisions on what is best for their child and family
• Provide support and encouragement for parents/family members to speak for themselves
• Empower parents to prepare for meetings regarding their child
• Provide hope through strategic sharing of lived experience
• Empower caregiver/families to feel competent and confident.

Customer Satisfaction

• Customers include but are not limited to: Individuals served, families, guardians; Funding Sources; Providers; Employees
• All customer related services and reports are delivered within specific timeframes as established by standards of practice
• All customer related services are coordinated and meet the caregiver/family’s needs and expectations
• Services are rendered in a dependable and reliable manner
• All interaction with customers are conducted with dignity and respect

Other

• Other duties as assigned

3. Reports to:

• Vice President of Customer Service and Experience

4. People Managed:

N/A

5. Performance Measurement and Evaluation Criteria:

• Compliance with all rules, regulations, laws, and standards associated with Mental Health Code and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• Employees are aware of and comply with the continuing education and mandatory training requirements for the position
• Responsible for becoming familiar with and abiding by MORC Policies/Procedures which are currently in place, and as they are updated from time to time and posted on the MORC intranet page
• Ability to proceed in carrying out oral and/or written directions
• Ability to work closely and communicate effectively with individuals served and those associated with their services and care
• Ability to perform the major responsibilities and essential activities of the position

6. Behavioral Traits, Attitudes, and Skills Required:

• Multi-task oriented
• Work independently with little guidance
• Professional appearance and attitude
• Time management skills
• Able to model positive and collaborative behaviors
• Able to teach, coach, train, and counsel caregivers/parents
• Willingness to work flexible hours

7. Prerequisites (i.e., education, experience, licenses):

• High School diploma or equivalent
• A parent or primary caregiver of a child with a developmental disability and/or serious emotional disturbance.
• Knowledge and experience working with the public mental health system
• Must be a Certified Parent Support Partner or eligible for certification within 11 months of hire
• Attend and participate in PSP Certification training as defined by the particular cohort
• Maintain training updates as required to meet certification standards

8. Physical and Sensory Requirements:

• Motor Vehicle Operator
• Able to use informational systems and personal computers
• Able to easily get around in a non-barrier free work location (family homes)

Education

• High School or better

Licenses & Certifications

• Auto Insurance
• DRIVERS LICENSE