PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

About Children's Home Association of Illinois (CHAIL):

CHAIL is a youth, family, and community focused 501(c)(3) organization with multiple locations and 450 staff, located in Peoria, IL. For over 160 years CHAIL has been helping the kids and families who need it most. Children's Home Association of Illinois (CHAIL) is the largest social service agency for youth and families in downstate Illinois. The services we provide don't just impact the individual child, they create positive ripple effects within their immediate family, neighborhood, community, and world by providing an opportunity to thrive.


Here at CHAIL, employees experience a "People First - Culture of Care" working atmosphere. From the most tenured staff to the newest team member, everyone is welcomed into a community that prioritizes diversity, equity, wellness, belonging, and good health. Starting with our CEO/President and migrating to every employee, this agency takes pride in taking care of each other. We believe if our employees are cared for, they can better live out the mission of the agency which is to help the kids and families who need it most. By putting our people first at CHAIL, they have the opportunity to share their expertise, talents, and passions with clients as they are changing the lives of the kids who will change the world. Our employees at CHAIL will tell you that they love working for the agency because they love what the agency does!


Job Summary:

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) provides trauma-informed, recovery-oriented support to individuals and families experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Drawing from lived experience, the PSS engages individuals to promote hope, self-determination, and empowerment while assisting with crisis de-escalation and stabilization.

The PSS is an integral member of a Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) team, partnering with a Crisis Clinician to provide team-based crisis intervention, community-based support, and follow-up stabilization services. Services are delivered in home, community, and other natural settings.

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must have lived experience with behavioral health needs (as an individual and/or caregiver of a child).
• HFS-approved Peer Support training or certification as a Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist (CPRS) is required at the time of hire, or the ability to obtain certification within one (1) year of employment.
• Experience working in behavioral health, human services, or crisis response preferred.
• Personal vehicle, valid Illinois Driver's License and proof of full insurance coverage.

Benefits & Pay:

• PTO (paid-time-off) accrual 3 weeks first year (full-time)
• 9 paid holidays
• 1 floating holiday
• Sick Leave accrual 12 days per year (full-time)
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401K with company match
• Company paid life insurance, STD and LTD
• Supplemental life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Program
• Opportunity to Further Education
• Flexible schedule with supervisor approval

CHAIL provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.