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Posted August 09, 2026

STEPS Kinship Peer Support Specialist

University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky, United States 40502 Full Time
Reference: 286355753

University of Kentucky

Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status.

Posting Details
Posting Details

Job Title STEPS Kinship Peer Support Specialist
Requisition Number TE09439
Department Name 8T110:College of Social Work
Work Location Lexington, KY
Salary Range $20.00/hour
Type of Position Temporary
Position Time Status Full-Time
Required Education
High School Diploma or GED
Required Related Experience
At least 1.5 years “lived” experience as a kinship caregiver for a child.
Required License/Registration/Certification
Physical Requirements
Repetitive motion typical of desk work (sitting, bending, typing, twisting); prolonged exposure to computer screen; pushing, lifting, or pulling up to 20lbs; occasional travel required
Shift
Flexible schedule, daytime to early evening hours; 40 hours/week
Job Summary
The STEPS Kinship Peer Support Specialists will work within the Kentucky Kinship Information, Navigation, and Support (KY-KINS) program housed in the College of Social Work’s Kentucky Kinship Resource Center (KKRC).

STEPS Kinship Peer Support Specialists will:

  • Provide structured peer support and outreach to kinship caregivers
  • Support KY-KINS participants in an array of “life” areas, including home stresses, familial dynamics, goal setting, social relationships, and locating local and state resources through regular one-on-one and small group interactions with families and caregivers
  • Promote positive behavior through experimental sharing, behavior modeling, goal setting, skill development, promoting self-efficacy, and fostering the development of healthy social capital.
  • Contact new caregivers referred to the program to inform them of program services and register for participation
  • Complete documentation of services provided and communication with caregivers in the kinship portal/database
  • Participate in professional development trainings/UK mandated trainings to maintain Family Peer Support Specialist certification and provide high-quality services.
  • Maintain confidentiality for all caregivers/families served


STEPS Kinship Peer Support Specialists will be required to engage in a rigorous 40+ hour training protocol and will have the opportunity to receive a Family Peer Support Certification through the KY Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities.

Kinship Care refers to the care of a child(ren) by a relative or fictive kin if the child is unable to reside safely within their natural home and is often used as an alternative to placement in foster care.

Kinship care refers to the full-time care and nurturing of a child(ren) by caretakers who are considered relatives (related by birth, marriage, or adoption) to the child(ren), or, fictive kin (unrelated but have developed an emotionally significant relationship) with the child(ren).
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Candidates should have:

  • Extensive first-hand, or “lived”, personal experience with kinship caregiving
  • Experience working with varied and diverse individuals and groups
  • Knowledge of policy, processes, and resources associated with kinship caregiving
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to work as a team member
  • Excellent time management skills
  • Ability to manage your schedule ensuring all duties are performed
  • Immediate access to internet connections that will support video calling or zoom meetings


Candidates should be customer service oriented. Computer and data entry skill as well as the ability to utilize Microsoft Office Suite is also desired. Occasional travel required.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience
Deadline to Apply 08/21/2026
Our University Community
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.


Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * Do you have a high school diploma or GED?
    • Yes
    • No
  2. * Kinship care is providing primary, full-time care, to a child that you are related to (by birth, marriage, or adoption), or, have a significant emotional relationship with. Have you provided this type of kinship care for 1.5 years or longer?
    • Yes
    • No
  3. * Do you have reliable internet connections in order to attend zoom meetings and complete daily data entry into a portal?
    • Yes
    • No
  4. * Are you willing to submit to a background check annually?
    • Yes
    • No

Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Resume
Optional Documents
  1. Cover Letter




Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

PI286355753

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