CENTRAL COUNTIES CENTER FOR MENTAL
Location
Temple, Texas
Salary
$16 / HOUR
Provide non-clinical peer support and advocacy to families of youth with behavioral health challenges using lived experience. Assist caregivers in navigating complex child-serving systems and integrate the family voice into service planning.
Requires a high school diploma and at least one year of lived experience as a primary caregiver for a child with behavioral health challenges. Must hold or obtain a Certified Family Partner (CFP) certification through the Texas Certification Board within 12 months of hire.
$15.50 Maximum Starting Hourly Rate - Dependent on Qualifications Benefits Health Dental Vision Life Insurance Generous Paid Time Off - 7.69 hrs. per pay period 10 Observed Company Paid Holidays 8 Hours Annual Volunteer Time Off Retirement Plan w/ 6% Employer Contribution Employee Assistance Program GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Certified Family Partner plays a critical role in helping families find hope, navigate complex systems, and become active partners in their child’s recovery and success. The Certified Family Partner (CFP) is an individual with direct lived experience as a parent or primary caregiver of a child or youth with mental, emotional, or behavioral health challenges. This position provides non-clinical peer support services to families involved in the public behavioral health system in accordance with Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Uniform Managed Care Manual (UMCM), and Medicaid guidelines. Under supervision, the CFP promotes recovery, resilience, and family driven care by using their lived experience to support, educate, and empower caregivers, including building skills to effectively navigate systems of care. The CFP works collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, including Wraparound and First Episode Psychosis (FEP) programs, to ensure the family voice is integrated into service planning and delivery. Services are community based and may be provided in homes, schools, clinics, or other community settings. The CFP serves as a liaison between families and providers, assisting families in navigating and accessing multiple child-serving systems. All services provided by the CFP are non-clinical and do not include diagnosis, assessment, or therapy. Certified Family Partners do not provide clinical counseling, clinical treatment planning, crisis assessment, case management, or other services requiring professional licensure. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Provide Certified Family Partner services to parents, legal authorized representatives (LARs), and primary caregivers of youth receiving behavioral health services. Deliver peer support services in both individual and group settings in accordance with HHSC, UMCM, and program guidelines. Utilize lived experience to provide education, advocacy, mentorship, emotional support, and skill-building to families. Demonstrate effective time management and accountability by prioritizing service delivery in community-based settings, consistent with established productivity, quality, and documentation standards. Deliver services that are individualized, culturally responsive, and family driven based on the needs and preferences of the family. Assist families in navigating and accessing child-serving systems, including mental health, education (ISDs), juvenile justice, child protective services (CPS), Social Security Administration, and community resources. Promote family engagement and empowerment, ensuring family voice and choice are central to service planning. Participate in regularly scheduled supervision and consultation meetings in accordance with HHSC and agency requirements. Utilize the Center’s electronic health record and other approved systems to document services and maintain records. Follow Center safety protocols related to home visits, community based services, and field work. Participate in Wraparound and treatment team meetings, advocating for family driven care and supporting effective communication between families and providers. Coordinate with clinical staff while maintaining the non-clinical peer role and scope of practice. Maintain appropriate boundaries consistent with the Certified Family Partner scope of practice and ensure a clear distinction between peer support and clinical services. Documentation shall be completed within timelines established by HHSC, Medicaid requirements, and Center policy. Maintain regular communication with supervisors and team members regarding service delivery and family needs. Participate in outreach and community engagement activities, including assisting in presentations in schools and community organizations. Complete all required trainings and maintain certification and continuing education requirements. Adhere to all Center policies, procedures, and ethical standards. GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS Experience/Education/Licensing/Certification Education High school diploma or equivalent required. Experience (Lived Experience Requirement) Must have a minimum of one year lived experience as a parent, adoptive parent, foster parent, or primary caregiver of a child or youth with mental, emotional, or behavioral health challenges. Must have a minimum of one year experience navigating one or more child-serving systems (e.g., mental health, special education, CPS, juvenile justice). Certification Must maintain active Certified Family Partner (CFP) certification through the Texas Certification Board (TCB) throughout employment. Individuals not currently certified must obtain certification within 12 months of hire and maintain certification thereafter. Other Requirements Valid Texas driver’s license and acceptable driving record. Ability to travel throughout the service area. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Knowledge of recovery oriented and family driven systems of care. Understanding of peer support principles, including mutuality, respect, and shared lived experience. Understanding of trauma-informed care principles and their application in service delivery. Basic knowledge of behavioral health conditions and treatment systems. Strong communication skills, both verbal and written. Ability to effectively engage and build rapport with diverse families and community partners. Ability to maintain confidentiality and adhere to HIPAA and Center policies. Ability to manage time, prioritize tasks, and work independently with minimal supervision. Ability to safely and effectively respond to crisis or escalated situations using approved de-escalation techniques. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred. Relationship Skills Strong verbal and written communication skills. Ability to engage, support, and build rapport with diverse families, community partners, and multidisciplinary teams. Ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships using tact, courtesy, sound judgment, and cultural responsiveness. Ability to advocate for family voice and choice while maintaining appropriate boundaries consistent with the Certified Family Partner scope of practice. Demonstrated professionalism and conduct consistent with Center values, policies, procedures, and customer service expectations. Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with supervisors, coworkers, individuals served, and community stakeholders. Ability to adapt to changing priorities and maintain a positive, solution focused approach in community-based service settings. Additional Requirements Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record. Regular attendance and reliability are essential to business operations. WORK ENVIRONMENT AND FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS This position requires the ability to: Sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time. See, hear, and communicate effectively to perform job duties. Use a computer, telephone, and standard office equipment. Perform repetitive tasks such as typing and data entry. Lift and move up to 15 pounds. Operate a motor vehicle and drive safely as required. Interact frequently with individuals, staff, and the public in a professional manner. The role requires the ability to respond appropriately to challenging or unpredictable situations, including the use of de-escalation techniques, and to maintain sufficient mental and emotional health to safely and effectively perform essential job duties, including concentration, decision-making, stress management, and maintaining focus. The work environment may include frequent interruptions and changing priorities. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Maintain sufficient mental and emotional health to meet the inherent stressors of the position. An employee is “mentally fit” when their mental state allows them to perform the essential job duties of their job safely and effectively, which includes being able to concentrate, make decisions, manage stress and maintain focus. COMPLIANCE AND STANDARDS Services must be delivered in accordance with HHSC requirements, Uniform Managed Care Manual (UMCM), and applicable Medicaid standards. Adherence to Certified Family Partner scope of practice and Texas Certification Board Code of Ethics is required. Maintain all required training, certifications, supervision, and documentation standards. AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT Employment with Central Counties Services is at-will. This means that either the employee or the Center may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice, and with or without cause, subject to applicable law. Nothing in this job description or any other policy, procedure, or communication should be construed as creating a contract of employment or altering the at-will nature of employment. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Central Counties Services is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. Qualifications