Peer Support Specialist (Transition Age Youth)

Peer Support Specialist (Transition Age Youth)

Under the supervision of the Mental Health Supervisor (Self Determination & Transition Services), works in conjunction with the Self Determination team, and Max System of Care to instill a message of hope and recovery to youth and young adults (ages 14-29) 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 consumer in the recovery/transitioning process.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Actively participates as a member of a SCCMHA Transition Team in all phases of TAY (Transition Aged Youth) program planning, development and implementation, to meet the needs of TAY population with EBD (Emotional Behavioral Challenges) in Saginaw County area.
• Participates and assists in developing and implementing TAY program at SCCMHA according to research-based core practices including TAY strength discovery and needs assessment, future planning, rationales, in-vivo training, social-problem-solving, high-risk behaviors/situations prevention, and mediation with TAY and other involved parties.
• Assists in communicating, representing, and promoting peer perspective to TAY transition team, SCCMHA, and other community agencies, as they related to clients' strengths, preferences, barriers, and needs in developing and implementing client-centered and recovery-oriented TAY transition program.
• Attends SCCMHA Youth Transition 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.
• Assists in developing group therapy manual and may provide or facilitate group therapy with the objective of training youths or young adults on TAY program core practices as well as on basic life and self-determination skills to help them transition to independence and adulthood.
• 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.
• May provide consultation, assistance and resources to SCCMHA Transition team and TAY families and parents to promote client-centered recovery systems of care.
• Partners with SCCMHA Transition Team by sharing direct experiences, to link youth and young adults to internal and/or external supports, community resources, agencies and programs.
• 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.
• Able to establish supportive relationships with youth and young-adult clients and cultivate a warm and welcoming environment in coordinating and facilitating events, services, and treatment programs.
• Attends Peer Support Specialist Certification training as well as other work-related workshops, seminars, and SCCMHA training in consultation with their direct supervisor and/or the Saginaw MAX System of Care Program Director.
• Participates in activities and serve as a representative of Saginaw MAX, the Saginaw System of Care initiative.
• Will work closely with case managers/support coordinators and other unit members to ensure that services are provided according to agency policy and the person-centered plan.
• Will participate in required trainings as identified by the supervisor.
• Will complete documentation of all job tasks according to agency policy utilizing an electronic medical record.
• 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.
• Will participate in approved staff development activities, in-services and supervisory sessions.
• 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.
• Will advocate on behalf of youth and young adults.
• Will meet expectations for units/hours of service as established by the organization.
• Will participate in the planning for and implementation of evidence-based practices.
• Adheres to the mission, vision, core values and operating principles of SCCMHA at all times.

Incidental duties and responsibilities include:

• May represent SCCMHA on internal/external committees or workgroups to enhance service delivery and development and quality of care.
• Performs various administrative/clerical functions such as preparing travel vouchers, making copies of documents, filing, etc.
• Reacts productively to change.
• 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.
• Uses computer hardware and software to perform tasks.
• May provide transportation to agency persons served consistent with identified needs and as agreed upon by assigned staff and supervisor.

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:

• A belief that youth and young adults with Serious Emotional Challenges can live productive/independent lives.
• Willingness to share your own personal story of recovery with the public and other persons served.
• Ability to plan, organize and complete work in a timely fashion.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Must have safe driving habits and a valid Michigan Drivers license.
• Must have the computer skills necessary to document consumer contacts.
• 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.
• Ability to accept constructive supervision.
• Knowledge and support for person centered planning concepts.
• Ability to work effectively as a team, as well as independently.
• Have a working knowledge of community resources.
• Functional competency in reading, writing and math skills.

Physical/Mental Requirements:

• Hearing acuity to converse in person and on telephone.
• Visual Acuity to observe consumer behavior's, read and proofread documents and use CRT.
• Ability to walk, stand or sit for extended periods of time.
• Manual dexterity to write and to operate standard office equipment (PC, Keyboard, Copy Machine, Fax Machine, etc.)
• Ability to lift and carry files and supplies at least 20 pounds.
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact with leadership, employees, persons served and the general public.
• Analytical skills necessary to conduct research, analyze, and interpret complex data and identify and solve problems by proposing courses of action.
• Ability to plan short and long range and to manage and schedule time.
• Ability to handle stress in meeting deadlines and dealing with large numbers of employees and/or persons served.