Minimum SSW1 Qualifications 1) undergraduate major core coursework OR two years’ technical training in behavioral science, social science, early childhood development technology, education or related field; OR  2) four courses in behavioral science one of which must be in child development, or two years’ experience in behavioral science of which six months must be in the area of child development, one course or six months experience in business mathematics, one course or six months experience in interviewing, one course or six months experience in typing, keyboarding or word processing; OR 3) education, training and/or experience in an amount equal to the Minimum Qualifications stated above.

Must also meet – Ohio Start Lived Experience Qualifications:

Sustained Recovery: for oneself or experience with primary family member(s). Self Recovery-must be an ongoing strong foundation in long-term recovery from substance use (two years minimum; three+  years preferred).

No current or pending criminal charges / activity.

Experience with the child welfare system as a parent or child. Case must be closed for one (1) year or more.

or ability to share in a meaningful way how you navigated another individual’s substance use that directly impacted your children and/or family.

Candidate must have a valid driver’s license and meet county insurance requirements.

Background checks will be completed in accordance with OAC 5101:2-5-09 prior to employment.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Participating as an active member of the Ohio START team.
• Work jointly with the Ohio START case worker and behavioral health providers to ensure seamless and efficient delivery of intensive wrap-around services to the START families on his or her caseload to assist with the safety of the child(ren).
• Participate in initial meetings, weekly status meetings, and Family Team Meetings to review families’ progress and child safety in their respective cases.
• Provide continual exploration of diverse family needs to empower the family to take ownership over their long-term successes and the safety of the child(ren).
• Support the parent(s) in achieving personal independence and empowerment skills through promoting self-advocacy.
• Teach families the skills to effectively navigate the child welfare system.
• Promote coordination and linkage among providers within local community.
• Coordinate or help in crisis interventions and stabilization of families.
• Identify barriers (internal and external) to full participation in community resources and developing strategies to overcome those barriers.
• Provide input for court proceedings and case plans for child safety as needed.
• Transport families and children for purposes treatment, visitation, and other miscellaneous appointments as needed.
• Attend and participate in required Ohio START trainings and functions in addition to other relevant learning opportunities.
• Build relationships and connections with a variety of community providers to provide education about the Ohio START program.
• Complete timely, accurate case documentation and entering data into various computer data systems.
• Assist with other SSW1 or lower classification duties as assigned.
• Participating as an active member of the Ohio START team.
• Work jointly with the Ohio START case worker and behavioral health providers to ensure seamless and efficient delivery of intensive wrap-around services to the START families on his or her caseload to assist with the safety of the child(ren).
• Participate in initial meetings, weekly status meetings, and Family Team Meetings to review families’ progress and child safety in their respective cases.
• Provide continual exploration of diverse family needs to empower the family to take ownership over their long-term successes and the safety of the child(ren).
• Support the parent(s) in achieving personal independence and empowerment skills through promoting self-advocacy.
• Teach families the skills to effectively navigate the child welfare system.
• Promote coordination and linkage among providers within local community.
• Coordinate or help in crisis interventions and stabilization of families.
• Identify barriers (internal and external) to full participation in community resources and developing strategies to overcome those barriers.
• Provide input for court proceedings and case plans for child safety as needed.
• Transport families and children for purposes treatment, visitation, and other miscellaneous appointments as needed.
• Attend and participate in required Ohio START trainings and functions in addition to other relevant learning opportunities.
• Build relationships and connections with a variety of community providers to provide education about the Ohio START program.
• Complete timely, accurate case documentation and entering data into various computer data systems.
• Assist with other SSW1 or lower classification duties as assigned.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Performs related non-essential functions as needed.

Equipment: Computer, printer, copy machine, fax machine, automobile, scanner, telephone/cellular phone, and other standard business office equipment.

Critical Skills/Expertise:  Ability to professionally and respectfully communicate, define problems, collect data, establish facts then analyze and draw valid conclusions based on the collected information; execute verbal instructions technical in nature; maintain confidentially, work cooperatively with other agency staff, service providers and community partners. Must have knowledge and skill in the following areas: Child Development, Family Systems Theory, Crisis Intervention, Domestic Violence Issues and Substance Abuse Issues.

The Ohio START Family Peer Mentor should have knowledge or be able to attain knowledge of: 

• Alcohol and drugs(pharmacology) • Court processes • Ethics • Behaviors associated with addiction 
• Diversity • Family dynamics • Mentor  • Alcohol and drugs(pharmacology)   • Behaviors associated with addiction  • Court processes    • Diversity  • Ethics      • Family dynamics  • Family Team Meetings    • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)  • Human behavior    • Local resources and services  • Maintain confidentiality    • Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT)  • Pathology of addiction    • Process of recovery  • Ohio START Program    • Self-help programs  • Signs of child abuse and neglect   • Trauma Informed Care  • Treatment options  

The Ohio START Family Peer Mentor should have skills in:  

• Communication (listening, verbal, nonverbal, written) • Advocacy • Coaching • Computers • Coping • Crisis intervention    • Cultural competency • De-escalation     • Driving • Motivational interviewing    • multi-tasking • Negotiation     • Networking • Observation     • Organization • Parenting     • Problem solving • Professionalism     • Setting personal/professional boundaries

Work consisting of complex, varied, standardized and non-standardized tasks requiring application of numerous laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.  Individual must be able to professionally address and work with potentially irate customers.


2. RESPONSIBILITY

Individual must demonstrate multi-tasking and organizational skills.  Individual must adhere to departmental rules and procedures regarding confidentiality due to the nature of information that is accessed.  Individual makes choices or decisions without supervisory input on most daily activities, such as establishing priorities or making referrals to other agencies.  Supervisor does provide general guidance but allows the individual the ability to plan the procedures and methods to accomplish objectives.  Individual must perform as a team player.  Errors in work may cause inaccuracies in reports, records, or technical data resulting in inaccurate or incomplete information.

1. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS
   Contact is with co-workers, employees from public and private sector organizations and the public. The purpose of these contacts is to guide and direct, check on progress of work assigned, coordinating services, and job development/referrals, make recommendations and handle questions about department, programs and client concerns.

1. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Physical Requirements:  Individual performs light work, which may require lifting up to fifty (50) pounds occasionally. Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to manipulate objects; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk.

The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds, occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds and rarely lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds.

Visual Activity:  Individual may perform computer work for long periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.