Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialist

At TASC (Treatment Alternatives for Stronger Communities), our mission is to empower people and strengthen communities with impactful services. Since 1976, we have been guided by the belief that every individual holds the potential for positive change. We advocate, support, and most importantly, empower people to break barriers, find recovery, and reshape their destinies. Through Specialized Case Management™, we create a world where recovery, justice, and empathy lead to thriving communities. Our foundation is anchored at the intersection of behavioral health and the criminal legal system. Today, TASC also operates at the forefront of transformative solutions. We are a social impact organization that embodies a future where health, safety and justice is synonymous with hope. We are TASC!

The B.R.I.D.G.E To Home Program serves individuals returning from Illinois prisons who face significant and often compounded barriers to successful reentry. Frequently excluded from traditional housing and support systems, these individuals are at increased risk of homelessness and recidivism. The program's primary goal is to provide permanent supportive housing for individuals traditionally considered hard to place, creating a foundation for long-term stability and successful reintegration into the community. Guided by low-barrier, housing placement principles, the B2H Program eliminates preconditions such as abstinence or mandatory treatment participation, offering immediate access to housing.

The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) will utilize lived experience in assisting tenants to achieve community inclusion and participation. The PSS will foster resilience, independence and recovery by coaching life skills development and providing additional supports including outreach and transportation when necessary. By serving as a relatable, trusted resource, the PSS works closely with the PSH team to ensure participants are supported holistically on their path to recovery and community inclusion.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• The PSS will assist individuals in achieving service plan goals through direct support and coordination with behavioral health providers, public agencies, and community-based resources.
• Identify and promote opportunities for clients to engage in meaningful community activities, support groups, or volunteer/service opportunities that build belonging and purpose.
• Coach clients in daily living skills such as budgeting, hygiene, conflict resolution, and communication with landlords or neighbors.
• Help clients identify and access natural supports, such as family, faith-based groups, peer communities, or neighborhood associations.
• Educate clients on their recovery capital and assist in building personal strengths, resources, and supports that contribute to long-term wellness.
• Reinforce clients' understanding of tenant rights and responsibilities, including how to address non-rent issues (e.g., requesting repairs, reporting maintenance needs).
• Encourage and model effective problem-solving and decision-making skills to help clients maintain housing and navigate reentry challenges.
• Conduct home visits and outreach to clients who may have disengaged from services or need additional encouragement.
• Serve as a bridge between the client and the PSH team, helping reduce stigma or mistrust of formal systems.
• Provide transportation assistance or accompaniment to critical appointments, including medical visits, social service intakes, or housing-related meetings.
• Ensure all necessary documentation, including signed releases of information, are in place before providing support.
• Enter timely and accurate documentation of all client interactions and services in the Electronic Client Record (ECR) system.
• Assist with monthly data collection, reporting on service engagement, housing retention outcomes, and peer-led activities.
• Participate in regular supervision, peer learning groups, and all required agency trainings on trauma-informed care, recovery, housing services, and reentry best practices.
• Participate in community meetings, trainings and projects including multi-disciplinary staffing, vocational- and educational-programming, and other meetings assigned.
• Develops effective working relationships with the internal and external partners.

Our ideal candidate:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED);
• Demonstrated proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite
• Demonstrated experience in group facilitation
• Certain programs may require a higher level of education, certification and/or licensures based on contractual obligations
• Ability to take initiatives and have creativeness
• Flexibility in thinking and approaches to leading group discussions
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines

Our benefits package includes:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance and Flexible Spending
• Paid Leave - STD/LTD
• Paid Time Off/Sick Time/ Floating Holiday
• Tuition Reimbursement
• 403 B (retirement plan)