Youth Peer Support

SCCMHA JOB VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

CLASSIFICATION: Youth Peer Support

PAY RANGE: $16.75 - $19.18 per hour

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Mental Health Supervisor (Transition Age Youth), works to instill a message of hope and recovery to youth and young adults (ages 14-22) to meet their overarching goals in transitioning to independence and adulthood. Will work with assigned persons served with the specific purpose of supporting persons served to achieve increased community inclusion and participation, independence, and productivity. Serves as a model for others that recovery/independence can be achieved, and willing to share their story of transitioning. This position will be knowledgeable about and actively support culturally competent recovery-based practices; person centered planning as a shared decision-making process with the individual, who defines his/her life goals and is assisted in developing a unique path toward those goals; and a trauma informed culture of safety to aid the persons served in the recovery/transitioning process.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBLITIES:

1. Youth Peer Support is a peer-delivered service for youth and young adults. It is designed to support youth and young adults with serious emotional disturbance/serious mental illness (SED/SMI) through shared activities and interventions in the form of Non-Judgmental Support, Connection through Lived Experience, and Supporting Self-Advocacy. Participates and assists in developing and implementing TAY services at SCCMHA according to research-based core practices including, future planning, rationales, in-vivo training, social-problem-solving, high-risk behaviors/situations prevention, and mediation with TAY and other involved parties. The goals of Youth Peer Support include supporting youth and young adults by building a strong relationship based on mutual respect and strategic self- disclosure to increase hope, confidence, self-advocacy skills, and decision-making abilities.

2. Assists in communicating, representing, and promoting peer perspective to, SCCMHA, and other community agencies, as they related to persons served’s strengths, preferences, barriers, and needs in developing and implementing person -centered and recovery-oriented TAY program. In accordance with the goals in the youth’s or young adult’s plan of service, Youth Peer Support Specialists promote hope and acceptance by sharing their story of lived experience to reduce stigma and increase youth voice and ownership in services. Youth Peer Support Services assist and prepare youth and young adults to successfully navigate challenges, support opportunities for youth/young adults to have a voice in planning and decision-making, empower youth/young adults to communicate wants and needs to those involved in their lives, and encourage participation in services and daily activities.

3. Attends SCCMHA TAY team meetings as well as other inter-agency and intra-agency case conferences/meetings related to successful transition of the youth or young adults with EBD into independence and adult roles. Youth Peer Support activities are identified as part of the assessment and the person-centered/family-driven, youth- guided planning process. Youth Peer Support Services are provided one-on-one by trained Youth Peer Support Specialists in a home or a community setting.

4. Assists youth and young adults in providing consultation, education and (accessing and navigating) resources to help maintain or improve levels of functioning as they relate to research-based transition domains: personal effectiveness and wellbeing, community life, employment and career, educational opportunities, and living situation. The goals of the Youth Peer Support included in the individualized plan of service will be mutually identified in active collaboration with the youth receiving services and must be delivered by a Youth Peer Support Specialist with lived experience.

5. May provide consultation, assistance, and resources to TAY families to promote person-centered recovery systems of care.

6. Partners with SCCMHA TAY by sharing lived experiences, to link youth and young adults to internal and/or external supports, community resources, agencies, and programs.

7. Assists youth and young adults in developing value-based empowerment skills through self-advocacy and be able to assist and model effective coping skills to manage emotional regulation, stress, social pressure, and stigma among other challenges during transition and recovery.

8. Able to establish supportive relationships with youth and young-adult persons served and cultivate a warm and welcoming environment in coordinating and facilitating events, services, and treatment programs.

9. Attends Youth Peer Support Specialist Certification training as well as other work-related workshops, seminars, and SCCMHA training in consultation with their direct supervisor.

10. Participates in activities and serve as a representative of SCCMHA.

11. Will work closely with case managers and other agency staff to ensure that services are provided according to agency policy and the person-centered plan.

12. Will participate in required trainings as identified by the supervisor.

13. Will complete documentation of all job tasks according to agency policy utilizing an electronic medical record.

14. Will assist persons served in carrying out tasks related to their person-centered plan including but not limited to pre-planning, plan development and implementation, assistance with keeping appointments, assistance with refilling prescriptions and transportation, as needed.

15. Will participate in approved staff development activities, in-services, and supervisory sessions.

16. Will participate in staff meetings to receive current information, guidance, and direction and to represent the voice of persons served and the belief in recovery.

17. Will advocate on behalf of youth and young adults.

18. Will meet expectations for units/hours of service as established by the organization.

19. Will participate in the planning for and implementation of evidence-based practices.

20. Adheres to the mission, vision, core values, and operating principles of SCCMHA at all times.

INCIDENTAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

1. May represent SCCMHA on internal/external committees or workgroups to enhance service delivery and development and quality of care.

2. Performs various administrative/clerical functions such as preparing travel vouchers, making copies of documents, filing, etc.

3. Reacts productively to change.

4. Will accept other responsibilities and duties required by the supervisor, consistent with the accomplishment of agency goals and objectives and the functions of the position.

5. Uses computer hardware and software to perform tasks.

6. May provide transportation to agency persons served consistent with identified needs and as agreed upon by assigned staff and supervisor.

(The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required of personnel so classified.)

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to: Mental Health Supervisor (Self Determination & Transition Services)

Supervises: None

WORKING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENT:

Works in an office environment with pressures dealing with time constraints. Frequently drives automobile in all kinds of weather conditions. May counsel individuals who may become potentially violent. May work in shared office space.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent with the ability to read and understand written plans of service and, clearly and concisely, document contacts. Associates degree preferred.

Experience: Must have received behavioral health services and “lived” experience participating in SED (serious emotional disturbances) treatment services, collaborating with, but not limited to, CMH, Department of Health and Human Services, Foster Care, Child protective Services, Juvenile Justice, criminal Justice, etc.

Licenses and Credentials: Valid Michigan Driver’s license with good driving record. Must have or attain within six (6) months of hire certification through Michigan Department Community Health (MDCH) as a Certified Youth Peer Support Specialist (CYPSS).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. A belief that youth and young adults with Serious Emotional Challenges can live productive/independent lives.

2. Willingness to share your own personal story of recovery with the public and other persons served.

3. Ability to plan, organize and complete work in a timely fashion.

4. Effective oral and written communication skills.

5. Must have safe driving habits and a valid Michigan Drivers license.

6. Must have the computer skills necessary to document persons served contacts.

7. Ability to work as a member of a team and maintain flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of youth and young adults.

8. Ability to accept constructive supervision.

9. Knowledge and support for person centered planning concepts.

10. Ability to work effectively as a team, as well as independently.

11. Have a working knowledge of community resources.

12. Functional competency in reading, writing, and math skills.

Physical/Mental Requirements:

1. Hearing acuity to converse in person and on telephone.

2. Visual Acuity to observe persons served behavior’s, read and proofread documents and use CRT.

3. Ability to walk, stand or sit for extended periods of time.

4. Manual dexterity to write and to operate standard office equipment (PC, Keyboard, Copy Machine, Fax Machine, etc.)

5. Ability to lift and carry files and supplies at least 20 pounds.

6. Strong interpersonal skills to interact with leadership, employees, persons served and the general public.

7. Analytical skills necessary to conduct research, analyze, and interpret complex data and identify and solve problems by proposing courses of action.

8. Ability to plan short and long range and to manage and schedule time.

9. Ability to handle stress in meeting deadlines and dealing with large numbers of employees and/or persons served.

(Listed qualifications are for guidance in filling this position. Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered; however, mandatory licensing or certification requirements cannot be waived. Physical/mental requirements cannot be waived unless specifically indicated.)