Engagement and Peer Support Specialist

Overview

The Safe Haven Peer Specialist works within Safe Haven programs to promote engagement, hope and the full integration and functioning needed for Safe Haven residents to live successfully in the community. Acts as a leader within Safe Havens in the areas of person-centered services, recovery-oriented principles, engagement strategies, and inclusion of residents in Safe Haven programming; offers training and coaching to all staff in these areas. Along with Program Director (PD) or Team Leader the Safe Haven Peer Specialist fosters a transition-oriented culture of mutual respect, support, caring, and collaboration. Welcomes, orients and engages clients into the Safe Haven, collaborates with Program Director (PD) and client to formulate person-centered service plans. Provides Peer Support Services to clients in groups and 1:1; helps clients explore their options and gain the confidence, skills, and resources needed to succeed in goals and transition out of Safe Haven. Provides leadership and collaboration in creating an environment where safety, health, and learning are paramount and attaining permanent housing is the goal.

Responsibilities

Job Duties:
• As a member of Safe Haven program leadership, partners to create and maintain a culture of safety and welcome for residents of a Safe Haven transitional housing program. Maintains a person-centered philosophy and culture within the Safe Haven, oriented to the needs of individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness.
• Collaborates with program leadership to initiate and conduct the enrollment process for all referred clients. Welcomes, orients, and engages clients to support their understanding of services and supports available. Builds a trusting relationship to promote the client's engagement with the supports available in Safe Haven and the community.
• Works with clients to formulate person-centered Homeless Outreach Action Plans; implements Action Plan interventions with person. Works with person to complete 8 Dimensions of Wellness Assessment and person-centered Power Statement to supplement Action Plan.
• Establishes and maintains a "transition-oriented culture" in which housing readiness skills and preparation for transition to permanent housing play a consistent role in daily activities and engagement with residents.
• Designs and facilitates groups, events, and activities for Safe Haven residents according to resident needs, input, and feedback. Co-facilitates evidence-based Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) groups.
• Introduces Safe Haven residents to supports, treatment, and resources available in the community and works to connect residents to available resources including housing resources, self-help groups, medical care, psychiatric and/or substance use treatment, and employment services. According to person's choosing, accompanies residents to activities, support groups, provider appointments, and other engagements in the community. Provides transportation as necessary.
• Facilitates connection between Safe Havens and relevant community resources including RLCs, Clubhouses, Recovery Support Centers, Recovery Cafes, employment services, and other resources.
• Implements Peer Bridging supports at times of service and life transitions; in particular enrollment into the Safe Haven; being discharged from a hospital setting; and moving out of the Safe Haven into permanent housing.
• Supports residents to prepare for transition into permanent housing.
• Facilitates inclusion of client input and feedback into programming and programmatic decision-making within Safe Haven. Supports resident participation in community meetings and inclusion of residents in decision-making around groups, activities, and events.
• Coordinates and supports the inclusion of residents in the interviewing and hiring of all staff positions.
• Shares personal experiences of recovery; provides support, education and advocacy to Safe Haven residents. Engages PS in non-directive and supportive relationships that promote empowerment and self-learning. Facilitates residents' completion of individualized evidence-based WRAP Plans.
• Co-facilitates comprehensive Vinfen Safe Haven Orientation training for staff. Together with PD, trains Safe Haven staff to use recovery-oriented, person-centered, harm reduction, trauma-informed, culturally and linguistically competent, and strengths-based approaches with residents.
• Provides information and training to Safe Haven staff on recovery and crisis prevention plans and strategies including WRAP, person-centered principles and practices, engagement strategies, and best practices for inclusion of client input and feedback into programming and programmatic decision-making.
• Provides support and consultation to PD and staff in recovery topics, recovery-oriented perspectives, and best practices for inclusion of client input and feedback into programming and programmatic decision-making.
• Promotes engagement of Safe Haven clients; skillfully and consistently engages residents to identify their strengths, hopes, dreams, and goals and elicit motivation to overcome barriers and transition into permanent housing.


Knowledge and Skills:
• Willing to use and share their personal, practical experience of recovery process, wellness management, and the personal effort and commitment required for PS to have a full and satisfying life in the community
• Strong commitments to the right and ability of people served to live, work, have meaningful relationships, and receive the resources and supports needed in their community of choice
• Knowledge of Peer Support and other applicable Codes of Ethics standards and practices
• Knowledge of person-centered, strengths-based, recovery-oriented values, principles and modalities
• Knowledge of Peer Support practices and ethical standards
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices and best practices, including Motivational Interviewing, Stages of Change, Harm Reduction, Housing First, and Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP).
• Ability to create and maintain supportive, trusting relationships with Safe Haven residents
• Commitment to maintain confidentiality of persons served
• Knowledge of engagement and participatory planning techniques
• Knowledge of community resources available to clients
• Sensitivity to the cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender differences of persons served
• Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques
• Respect for and knowledge of legal, civil, and human rights of persons served
• Knowledge of Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) and best practices
• Sensitivity to cultural, linguistic, religious, racial, disability, trauma, and gender issues
• Knowledge of safety and risk protocols
• Ability to demonstrate participatory, collaborative, and teaching skills
• Ability to work independently as well as a part of a team
• Ability to promote psychiatric advance directives and crisis prevention techniques
• Ability to balance competing priorities
• Ability to make independent judgments and decisions
• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment

About Vinfen

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self-determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly-trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Qualifications

Typical Requirements:
• Personal, first-hand experience (not just having a friend or family member) being a recipient of the mental health system, which encompasses experiences such as psychiatric inpatient hospitalization, outpatient services/therapy, experience with psychiatric medications, and/or participating in mental health groups in the community. While a formal mental health diagnosis is not required, your involvement with mental health services must be related to your experience with mental health, emotional health and/or trauma resulting in significant life disruption.
• Two to three years' experience providing peer support to people with psychiatric disability and/or co-occurring substance use required.
• Certified Peer Specialist credential required. In some cases, experience may be substituted for credential. Must obtain Certified Peer Specialist credential within 6 months of hire.
• Access to an operational and insured vehicle and willingness to use it to transport residents is required.
• Bilingual/bicultural applicants are encouraged to apply.

Preferred /Required Education:
A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Bachelor's degree in human service-related discipline preferred. In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.

Driving Requirements:
Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle. If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least six months, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check.

Physical Effort:
Direct Care Roles -

Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position. Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift.

Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.

Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.
Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living. Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Ability to assist in routine living activities including cleaning, meal preparation, vacuuming, shoveling, and grocery shopping.

Required Certifications/Trainings:
CPR within 2 weeks of hire, First Aid within 2 weeks of hire
Required Credentials/Licenses:
Certified Peer Specialist credential required within 6 months of hire

Pay Range

USD $64,100.00 - USD $64,100.00 /Yr.