Peer Family & Youth Support Specialist

By joining the San Diego Center for Children, you will empower children and families through transformative mental health care and educational services. Our vision is to inspire a world where children and families live joyful, healthy lives. We serve over 1,000 people every day - are you ready to make an impact?Join us - and work with purpose!POSITION BENEFITSTeam-Oriented, Multidisciplinary ApproachOngoing, High-Level Learning and Development OpportunitiesCulturally Diverse EnvironmentJoint Commission Accredited OrganizationComprehensive Health Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision, Pet)Retirement Savings Plan: 403(b) - With Employer Match Up To 3%Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Leave, Holidays)Wellness ProgramsEAP - Employee Assistance ProgramTuition Reimbursement or Assistance For Continuing EducationEmployee DiscountsEmployee Recognition ProgramOpportunities For Career AdvancementMay Be Eligible For State or Federal Loan Forgiveness Programs For Work With Underserved PopulationsSUMMARYAs part of the San Diego Center for Children’s Foster Family Agency Stabilization and Treatment (FFAST) Program, Family/Youth Partners (FYPs) use their own lived experience to provide culturally resonant and trauma-informed services to youth and families involved with the foster care system. FYPs utilize a community-based and strength-based approach to support youth and families to meet their treatment goals. For youth, treatment goals typically include and are not limited to independent living skills, coping skills, social skills, and emotional regulation. For families (biological and resource parents), goals may include and are not limited to parent education, linkage to community resources, and case management. FYPs also act as the youth and family’s advocate in the Child and Family Team (CFT) setting.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Other Duties May Be Assigned)Willing/able to utilize personal lived experience to support trauma informed treatmentProvide youth and families with community-based and culturally sensitive services to support treatment plan goalsHelp develop formal/informal support networks for youth/families within the communities in which they residePromote greater youth/family participation and voice at the practice, program, and policy levels of the System of CareParticipate as the youth/family advocate including Child and Family Team meetings, IEP meetings, and other meetings as requiredAttend SDCC and program required training, including training in evidence-based practices, HIPAA, and cultural competencyShow strong ethical foundation and use System of Care values in the work provided to families (individualized, strength-based, culturally competent, family focused, trauma informed)Maintain accurate, timely, and complete case records per Medi-Cal requirements and SDCC policies and proceduresMaintain clear, effective, and open communication between multi-disciplinary clinical staff and administrative personnel within and between Center programsUtilize supervision, consultation, and training as necessary to provide high quality services to youth/families in an effective mannerAvailability to work evening and weekend hours, and to be on-call as needed by the youth/families on their caseloadProvide transportation to youth/families as needed and as clinically appropriateMaintain full caseload, approximately 10-15 cases, and meet productivity expectations, which are currently set at 25% (subject to change based on program need)Required to travel between office and community locations, including client homes, in personal vehiclePerform special projects and other related duties as requiredLANGUAGE SKILLSAbility to read, analyze, and interpret medical records, journals, reports, and legal documents; Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community; Ability to effectively present information to management and public groupsREASONING ABILITYAbility to read, analyze, and interpret medical records, journals, reports, and legal documents; Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community; Ability to effectively present information to management and public groupsPHYSICAL DEMANDSThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hand to finger; or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Due to the emotional instability of the clients the employee may be subjected to kicking, hitting, punching, biting, hair pulling, etc. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.WORK ENVIRONMENTThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.DIVERSITY STATEMENTThe San Diego Center for Children is committed to:Actively recruiting, retaining, and supporting diverse staff at all levels of the organizationEnsuring that diverse perspectives are included in the development and implementation of policies, practices, and services and that individuals feel empowered to advance our mission within an atmosphere of trust, safety, and respectEncourage and provide access to professional development in order to deliver equitable and culturally informed services to the population we serveMINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:Be Available Monday – Friday, 9a-6p (flexible hours)Some Evenings and Possible WeekendsValid California Driver’s License and Reliable Transportation(must be willing to utilize personal vehicle for work related responsibilities and transport youth/families as needed)Good Driving Record, and Vehicle InsuranceHigh School Diploma or GEDGood verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary teamCommitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and to functioning through a culturally sensitive lensCA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist (PSS) EligibleMust meet either of the following criteria: Lived experience as a consumer of Children's Behavioral Health Services, Child Welfare Services, the Juvenile Justice System, or Special EducationBasic computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft System ApplicationsPREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:Bilingual in English and SpanishCA Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist (PSS) CertifiedProficient in SmartCare (Electronic Health Care System)Experience with Wraparound Services, ABA, foster/probation youth and/or as a mentor/educatorExperience with Motivational Interviewing and Positive DisciplineTraining/Experience related to Children, Parenting, and Family SystemsKnowledge of systemic racism and how it impacts the foster care systemKnowledge of basic case management skills #J-18808-Ljbffr SAN-Diego-Center-For-Childre