Perinatal Support Washington (PS-WA) is a statewide non-profit committed to shining a light on perinatal mental health to support all families and communities. We support people in the emotional transition to parenthood, including those experiencing depression, anxiety, loss, infertility, trauma, and more.

Our core programs include a statewide Warm Line that supports families experiencing perinatal mental health complications, free and low-cost new parent support groups, free and low cost therapy, training and consultation for health care providers, education and advocacy on Perinatal Mental Health.

About the Warm Line 

Our Warm Line offers free telephone, text and email support for parents and their family members. The line is staffed by parents who have experienced a perinatal mood and/or anxiety disorder and have recovered fully, professionals or licensed therapists with specialized training in perinatal mental health.

Calls are answered live M-F 9am-4:30pm and the line is staffed after hours, providing prompt call backs on evenings and weekends. Staff and volunteers provide warm, understanding, effective and private support. By the end of a call, parents will have a plan that includes addressing their overall wellness and self care, referrals to professionals, information about other resources in their community and next steps.  All parents receive a call back one week later to check on progress and any additional needs.  

After the initial Warm Line call parents can receive additional support through our Extended Peer Support Services.  

Extended Peer Support 

It can take weeks to locate a provider, which can be an overwhelming process for new parents. As a result some parents might give up or stall, causing a delay and/or never getting the help that they need. Offering extended peer support services is intended to help parents through that process by offering emotional support and assistance along the way to ease the overwhelm. 

The goal is to provide a warm hand off by offering support from the time a parent reaches out to the Warm Line until they have begun meeting with a provider. Volunteers and staff check in with parents 1-2 times a week and parents can reach out as needed. Length of extended support depends on the needs of the caller.

At this time PS-WA does not currently have an administrative office for general day-to-day work. All work is currently done remotely and meetings are held on Zoom.  

Overview of services Interns will provide:
-Provide emotional, strength-based/culturally specific support for perinatal mental health, create culturally attuned wellness plans that align with parents’ beliefs and values, address barriers, and support taking wellness steps.
-Provide parents with information about perinatal mental health and the full range of treatment options including formal and informal mental health supports.
-Assist parents in navigating the formal mental health system by providing information and support about how to access care, what to expect and supporting parents as they engage with treatment providers.
-Support parents engaged in mental health therapy by advocating for and with parents, supporting a parent’s treatment plan through the week and when indicated coordinate with treatment providers.

Live answer Warm Line during weekday Shifts
-Monitor phone line, text and email during weekday hours. Responding promptly and providing services listed above.
Conduct follow up with the caller via email summarizing initial discussion, provide referrals, and next steps.
-Follow up with the caller 1 week after initial contact to check progress and provide support as needed.
-Explain and offer Extended Peer Support.

Provide Extended Peer Support to parents requesting service
-Initiate contact with parents weekly and provide services above.

Administrative Tasks:
-Maintain administrative tasks of Warm Line caseload including managing your schedule to meet parent’s needs, monitoring your email and voicemail, responding in a timely manner, locating and making appropriate referrals, etc.
-Submit reports and maintain client database notes in a timely manner.
-Help families create short and long-term wellness plans that are strength-based, led by the family and culturally attuned.

Examples of activities:
Support Program Manager in outreach to programs serving childbearing people to build awareness of perinatal mental health support services.
Support Program Manager with community meetings/training, evaluation, and coordination of the program.
Assist in building our Resource and Referral Guide.

Examples of activities:
Support Program Manager in program evaluation.
Attend state-wdie perinatal mental health task force meetings- provide support with goals and tasks as needed.

Lots of experience working with clients both short term and long term.
Perinatal Mental Health Training
Interns are invited and encouraged to attend PS-WA training throughout the year, such as:
1 or 2 Day Perinatal Mental Health Trainings
Any speciality trainings hosted by Perinatal Support WA
Quarterly webinars on specialized topics

Qualifications
Enrolled in a Masters or Bachelors degree program in clinical psychology, counseling or social work.
Experience and commitment to social justice and working with diverse, underserved communities.
Works well in a group and independently.

Desired Qualifications
Bi-lingual in Spanish or other languages.
Experience working with BIPOC and LGBTQIA communities.
Experience working with pregnant or new parents.
A parent who experienced a perinatal mental health issue.

Application Instructions
To apply, please send a resume and the answer to the below questions to Victoria.Cherniak@perinatalsupport.org with “Warm Line Intern” in the subject line.
Questions:
Tell us why you want to work at Perinatal Support Washington. What is it about our mission that speaks to you?
Tell us how you are a good fit for this position and how your experience would allow you to provide support to parents reaching out to the Warm Line.

Perinatal Support Washington is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People of color, of any sexual orientation or gender identity, from under-represented communities, and people with diverse life experiences are encouraged to apply.