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Peer Support Jobs in Portland, CT (NOW HIRING)

The 30 hour per week Family Peer Support Specialist (FPSS) is responsible for providing direct family peer support services with families. Approximately 60% of his/her time is meeting, supporting and ...

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Peer Support information

See Portland, CT salary details

$10

$19

$29

How much do peer support jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for peer support in Portland, CT is $19.97, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.02 and $21.92 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a peer support specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Peer Support Specialist, you need lived experience with mental health or substance use recovery, strong interpersonal skills, and usually a peer support certification. Familiarity with electronic documentation systems and knowledge of community resources are commonly required. Empathy, active listening, and nonjudgmental communication set outstanding peer supporters apart. These skills foster trust and empowerment, enabling clients to engage in recovery and access vital support services.

How to get a job as a peer support specialist?

To become a peer support specialist, individuals typically need to have lived experience with mental health or substance use challenges and complete relevant training or certification programs. Many employers prefer candidates with strong communication skills, empathy, and a basic understanding of mental health services, often requiring a high school diploma or equivalent. Certification programs are available through various mental health organizations and can improve job prospects.

What is the difference between Peer Support vs Peer Support?

AspectPeer SupportPeer Support
CredentialsOften requires certification in peer support or mental health first aidSame as Peer Support
Work EnvironmentCommunity centers, mental health clinics, hospitalsSame as Peer Support
Industry UsageHealthcare, mental health, social servicesSame as Peer Support
Search IntentComparing roles within peer support servicesSame as Peer Support

Since the comparison is between the same job title, Peer Support, the roles, credentials, and work environments are identical. The focus is on understanding how peer support workers assist individuals through shared experiences in various settings like healthcare and community services.

What are some common challenges faced by peer support specialists, and how can they effectively manage these challenges?

Peer support specialists often encounter challenges such as maintaining professional boundaries while building trust with clients, managing emotional stress from supporting individuals in crisis, and navigating complex healthcare or social service systems. To effectively manage these challenges, it's important to participate in regular supervision or debriefings, engage in ongoing training, and practice self-care to prevent burnout. Collaboration with clinical staff and open communication within the team also support a healthy work environment and ensure high-quality support for clients.

What is a peer support specialist?

Peer support specialists are individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges, substance use, or other life disruptions who are trained to support others facing similar situations. They use their personal experiences to provide empathy, encouragement, and practical assistance to help others in their recovery journeys. Peer support specialists often work in mental health settings, addiction recovery programs, hospitals, or community organizations. Their role is to offer hope and understanding, foster empowerment, and connect people to resources while promoting wellness and self-advocacy.

What are the duties of a peer support?

A peer support worker provides emotional support, guidance, and encouragement to individuals facing similar challenges, such as mental health or substance use issues. They listen actively, share their experiences, and help clients access resources or services, often working in community or healthcare settings. Strong communication skills and empathy are essential, and some roles may require relevant certifications or training.
What are popular job titles related to Peer Support jobs in Portland, CT? For Peer Support jobs in Portland, CT, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Portland, CT are hiring for Peer Support jobs? Cities near Portland, CT with the most Peer Support job openings:
Infographic showing various Peer Support job openings in Portland, CT as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, and 18% Part Time. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $41,539 per year, or $20 per hour.

Family Peer Support Specialist

Favor INC

Wethersfield, CT

$21.79/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago


Job description

Role:   To provide direct support and advocacy to families and promote family involvement in the local systems of care within a 30 hour per week role.
 
Key Responsibilities:
 
The 30 hour per week Family Peer Support Specialist (FPSS) is responsible for providing direct family peer support services with families.  Approximately 60% of his/her time is meeting, supporting and assisting families at their home, PPTs, CFTs and any other meeting the family needs support; 20% will be working on behalf of the family by reading and preparing for meetings, researching resources and services, making and receiving calls from families, organizing family files, writing and submitting intake and discharge forms and anything regarding a family that is not face-to-face; the remaining 20% is for writing and submitting required paperwork – monthly, bi-weekly and mileage reports.        
 
Area Served: Northeast and North Central CT
 
Duties:

·        Provide direct support and advocacy to families
·        Attend meetings with families
·        Consult with families about available resources. Assist in obtaining needed resources – including but not limited to, assisting families in accessing the FAVOR network of support and training
·        Provide direct services and support for families referred by Care Coordination in the promotion and furtherance of each family’s Plan of Care
·        Regular attendance and support to family’s at their Child and Family Team Meetings by partnering with the care coordinators
·        Maintain a caseload of approximately 15 families referred through the system of care, self-referrals and/or community referrals for a  30 hour/week FPSS
·        Maintain and submit appropriate records in a secure, confidential and timely manner - appropriately document all activities undertaken on behalf of each family.  
·        Participate in activities which support the inclusion of family members in the planning, decision-making and implementation of services to their children
 
Community Involvement:
·        Participate in outreach efforts with providers in their region to facilitate referrals through the system of care, promote family involvement and promote FAVOR initiatives
·        Attend scheduled supervisory meetings, monthly community collaborative meetings, staff meetings and other meetings required by FAVOR
·        Provide technical assistance to local systems of care collaboratives in the areas of family support, advocacy, sensitivity to the needs of the families and strategies to promote proactive involvement
 
Administrative:
 
·       Maintain and submit reports on time as required by the Director of Family Peer Support Services, ie: a bi-weekly summary of daily work activities, monthly case load summary, bi-weekly timecard approval, and family intake and discharge data information. 
·       Maintain organized family files for each family served.  
·       Files should contain but are not limited to: intake and discharge, release of information forms, meeting summary notes, school records and doctor’s notes
 
 
Qualifications Required:
 
·       Should be a parent with a child or have experience providing assistance to someone who has mental or behavioral health needs
·       Must use own transportation (car required) – mileage to meetings with families reimbursed
·       Demonstrated experience in advocacy on behalf of other families and children
·       Demonstrated knowledge of CTWRAP and the local systems of care in their community
·       Demonstrated knowledge of supports and resources available to families in their region
·       Demonstrated understanding of family directed, culturally competent family supports
·       Demonstrated knowledge of technology concepts such as remote laptop systems, calendaring, email and cell phone functionality.
·       Excellent verbal and written communication skills
·       Bi-lingual a plus