Canopy Children's Solutions·Gulfport, Mississippi
The Peer Support Specialist acts as an advocate and representative for youth and families receiving behavioral health treatment within the In-Circle, PMHC, and Day Treatment programs. Responsibilities include supporting families' emotional well-being through empathy and personal experience, and maintaining communication among families, community agencies, Child Protective Services, and clinic staff.
Canopy has been designated a Great Place to Work® for the fifth consecutive year, and is one of only eight companies in Mississippi to qualify for this certification in 2025-2026. Canopy’s employees are charged with building a healthy work culture within their teams, that focus on trust, and the collective goal of helping kids thrive and families to overcome extraordinary challenges.
Peer Support Specialist - Position Overview
The responsibility of the Peer Support Specialist is to serve as a representative of, and advocate for, youth and their families with behavioral health treatment needs who are youth of the In-Circle, PMHC, and Day Treatment.
The Peer support specialist is also responsible for supporting families' emotional well being with empathy and personal experiences of overcoming challenges to help families have hope.
The Peer Support Specialist is responsible for maintaining communication among families, the community, Child Protective Services and clinic staff.
He/She will also provide information to assist and support educational and training initiatives for family members.
Job Responsibilities
Advocates, represents, supports and assists youth and their families.
Assists in creating and sustaining a family-driven approach.
Provides families with information, advocacy skills and related activities.
Provides psycho-education group sessions for families as needed.
Assists families in crisis with appropriate referrals and supports. Links families to information and resources on behavioral health systems.
Assists families in resolving complaints and concerns about Canopy Children's Solutions system of care.
Identifies and develops potential leaders as well as developing own leadership abilities.
Required Qualifications
The Certified Parent/Caregiver Peer Support Specialist is a biological parent, adoptive parent, or relative caregiver with permanent legal custody who is raising or has raised a child with an emotional, social, behavioral, and /or substance use disability; and whose child has received services from a children/youth mental health provider.
The Specialist will provide support and guidance to parents/caregivers in navigating the child serving systems and advocating with them to help their child/youth.
Must possess at least a High School Diploma or GED equivalent. Must also be able to successfully complete the Department of Mental Health Certified Peer Specialist trainings and certification exam for certification as a Peer Support Specialist (CPSS).
You will be required to make application for certification within the first 30 days of employment.
Must have the ability to listen to and problem solve with families individually or in a group setting.
Must have excellent organizational skills, experience in diverse communication styles and the ability to work with teams.
Must be dependable.
Must have a positive attitude.
Applicants must be a biological parent, adoptive parent, or relative caregiver who has raised a child with a disability and whose child has received mental health services, holding at least a High School Diploma or GED. Candidates must also successfully complete required Department of Mental Health Certified Peer Specialist trainings and certification exams within the initial employment period.
Market context
Behavioral health employers in Mississippi often look for licensed master’s-level clinicians, and postings commonly emphasize prior social work experience plus background screening. These roles can be competitive because licensure, clinical experience, and readiness to work with diverse patient needs all matter. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save research time, then confirm your license status and prepare examples of relevant social work experience before applying.
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