Family Peer Support at Alexander Youth Network
Lived experience. Real connection. Support for the journey of caregiving.
What is Family Peer Support?
Family Peer Support (FPS) is a non-clinical, relationship-based service that connects caregivers with certified specialists who have personal experience raising a child with behavioral, emotional, or developmental challenges. These trained caregivers offer guidance, mentorship, and emotional support rooted in lived experience, helping families feel seen, understood, and empowered.
At Alexander Youth Network, FPS fills a critical gap in care by supporting families as they navigate complex systems and manage the daily realities of raising a child with behavioral health needs. It is not therapy or case management, but a complementary service that builds trust, confidence, and resilience through authentic connection.
Through a partnership with UNC Greensboro and NC Youth & Family Voices Amplified, Alexander Youth Network is piloting Family Peer Support in our Therapeutic Foster Care program and will eventually expand this service to caregivers of children in our Day Treatment, Intensive In-Home (IIH), and Crisis programs.
Caregivers Supporting Caregivers
Our Family Peer Support Specialists aren’t therapists—they’re caregivers who’ve walked a similar path. With formal training, including certification as a Nationally Certified Family Peer Support Specialist, and personal experience, they help families:
- Navigate systems like Medicaid, DSS, and schools
- Build advocacy skills and understand their rights
- Access services and community resources
- Manage crisis transitions and complex care plans
- Gain confidence and reduce isolation through shared connection
This program is grounded in the belief that “real support comes from someone who’s been there.” Every interaction is rooted in trust, empathy, and hope.
What FPS Specialists Do:
-
Provide emotional support and normalize the caregiver experience
-
Coach families to advocate for their child’s needs and rights
-
Guide families through systems like Medicaid, schools, and DSS
-
Connect families to community resources and normalize the caregiver experience
-
Support during transitions and crises, offering real-time guidance
-
Share knowledge about child development and behavioral health
Why Family Peer Support Matters?
Navigating a child’s behavioral health challenges can leave families feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and unsure of where to turn. Family Peer Support bridges that gap by offering guidance that is immediate, relatable, and grounded in lived experience. FPS Specialists build authentic connections, helping families feel understood and less alone.
Whether it’s navigating complex systems, understanding their rights, or finding the confidence to advocate for their child, families gain practical support from someone who’s walked a similar path. Designed for caregivers of children up to age 21, FPS is especially helpful for those involved in child welfare, crisis services, or returning from out-of-home placements—providing trauma-informed, family-centered support when it’s needed most.
Family Peer Support Program
Counties we serve: Alamance, Alexander, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Catawba, Cumberland, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Hamlet, Hoke, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Moore, Randolph, Richmond, Robeson, Rockingham, Rutherford, Scotland, Union, Wilkes
Contact: Interested in becoming a Family Peer Support Specialist?
Ages served: Families with children/youth up to age 21
Treatment: Non-clinical, peer-led service that connects caregivers with trained specialists who have lived experience raising a child with behavioral health challenges.
Duration: Flexible, based on family needs—typically 3–6 months
