Peer Family Advocate - Hope Cooperative (TLCS, Inc.)

Peer Family Advocate

Are you a passionate and motivated individual eager to make a positive impact in the community? Hope Cooperative is a well-respected, award-winning nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive mental health and supportive housing services across Sacramento County. We're seeking compassionate, dedicated individuals to join our team and support the most vulnerable in our community.

Position Details:

Position Title: Peer Family Advocate

Program(s) and Location: CORE Marconi (Sacramento, CA)

Schedule: Full-time, Non-Exempt, 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm (may require working some evenings and weekend schedules)

Pay rate: $22.96 hourly

About the Position:

The Peer/Family Advocate will serve as a member of a multi-disciplinary team to provide peer and/or family support in collaboration with the Service Team. Their focus will be to assist with accessing program services and other community resources to support wellbeing based off their prior personal or familiar experiences. The Peer/Family Advocate will function as a role model exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills as well as assisting in helping clients learn coping skills and develop wellness plans congruent with cultural norms and expectations. The Peer/Family Advocate will serve as an advocate for client choice and voice.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Support clients and/or family members with active listening, demonstration of empathy and carry a message of hope and recovery and empower clients in meeting their identified goals.
• Collaborate with Service Team members in coordinating and providing services for clients.
• Observe, assess, intervene and refer (within one's scope of practice) in situations with clients regarding mental health symptoms, physical health symptoms and substance use issues.
• Assist clients in developing and following a wellness plan unique to their needs and desires.
• Assist member with various independent living skills: house cleaning, laundry, food preparation, hygiene, yard work, budgeting money, shopping, medication management and safety.
• Using personal experiences and interactions with mental health systems and other community partners, to guide and support client in advocacy; as well as provide hope.
• Provide/Assist the clients with transportation in personal vehicle as necessary.
• Meet with clients and/or family members in the community and their homes, and attend meetings to ensure continuity of care for clients.
• Provide positive public relations, community referrals, information and support by linking clients to needed resources; advocate with and on behalf of clients and significant support persons the clients have identified.
• Facilitate planning of social, cultural, educational, supportive and recreational group activities.
• Accurately complete all necessary forms, reports and paperwork required by the program on a timely basis (e.g., progress notes, special incident reports, discharge summaries, Medi-Cal billing, EHR forms).
• Obtain Peer Certification within 6 months of employment
• Act as a designated Mandated Reporter for the observed or suspected abuse and/or neglect of children, disabled individuals, dependent adults and elder/senior citizens. Mandated Reporter also includes "Duty to Warn" which includes the responsibility to notify authorities and the intended victim(s) of physical harm.
• Regular and predictable attendance required.
• Use motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and harm-reduction practices.

Qualifications:

• Lived experience as a mental health consumer or a family member of a mental health consumer or as someone who has experienced homelessness.
• Ability and willingness to work with people experiencing homelessness where they are in encampments, on the street, or in shelters.
• Work experience with persons who have substance abuse problems, preferably individuals who are dually diagnosed (mental health & substance abuse) is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of 12-Step Programs and/or personal experience with substance abuse recovery is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of General Assistance, Food Stamps, Temporary Aid to Needy Families, Unemployment Insurance, and SSI/SSDI regulations
• High School Diploma or GED required

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Possess a valid California Driver's License and current vehicle insurance. Driving records must meet, and continue to meet, the underwriting standards established by the generalized driving guidelines used by our insurance broker. Must provide proof of insurance.
• Must have at least 3 or more years of driving experience.

Other Skills, Abilities, and Job Requirements:

• Ability to pass clearance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and/or Department of Justice (DOJ) background screenings
• Consumer of mental health services or a family member of a mental health consumer is desirable
• Work overtime as requested and approved, including after-hours duty as needed

Benefits:

HOPE Cooperative (also known as TLCS, Inc.) provides a competitive benefits package, which includes, but is not limited to, the following items. Please note that benefits may be subject to change:

• 21 PTO days per year (4 weeks & 1 day)
• 26 PTO days after the 5th year (5 weeks & 1 day)
• 6 days paid sick time
• 11 paid holidays
• 1 Personal Day
• Leadership Development
• Reimbursements
• Eligible for Government Loan Forgiveness Programs
• Employer-paid health insurance for employees and children (Kaiser, Sutter or Western Health Advantage)
• HSA Contributions
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401k match
• PTO Cash Out
• Voluntary Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Disability Insurance and more
• Employee Assistance Program
• Regular wage step scale increases
• Flexible start/end times for some positions
• iPhone with unlimited data for personal/professional use and laptop for some positions
• Clinical Supervision towards licensure (for certain positions and upon approval)
• CEU days for certain positions
• Up to $500 CEU allowance for certain positions
• Annual BBQ and staff appreciation awards
• Annual Gift Card Program
• Referral Bonuses

* All benefit offerings are subject to change and are governed by the eligibility guidelines in the Employee Handbook. This list represents a general summary of available benefits and nothing stated here should be interpreted as being included in a written offer for employment.

HOPE Cooperative (aka TLCS, Inc.) is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Our agency embraces a diverse & culturally rich workforce, and we welcome all candidates to apply.