Youth Peer Support Specialist

The Youth Peer Support Specialist will act as a support and resource for youth with serious emotional disturbances (SED) who are receiving services in the Specialized Services for Youth program (SSY). The Youth Peer Support Specialist will act as a key member of the treatment team by working with youth one-on-one or in a groups, supporting them in achieving goals through shared activities and interventions. The Youth Peer Support Specialist will support youth empowerment by assisting youth in developing skills to improve their overall functioning and quality of life and working collaboratively with others involved in delivering the youth’s care. The position reports to the Supervisor of Specialized Services for Youth. The following represents a summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents in this position. Incumbents may be requested to perform related tasks other than those specifically presented.

SPECIFIC DUTIES/JOB EXPECTATIONS

Professional Practice

• Build and foster relationships with the youth, family and others working with the youth.
• Provide services to youth primarily in the home or community.
• Actively engage as part of the treatment team to meet youth needs, complete all required documentation and paperwork.
• Prepare the youth to fully participate in their own meetings and treatment planning process (including Wraparound, Family Centered Planning meetings, IPOS, IEP meetings, etc.
• Teach self-advocacy, problem-solving and independent living skills. ➢ Provide support during “rough” or “crisis” times.
• Provide community education about youth culture and perspective.
• Empower the youth to build understanding inn others about their unique mental health needs.
• In collaboration with the youth, work with other internal and external partners (i.e., schools, faith community, other human services organizations) to develop natural supports to eliminate barriers to services, enhance existing community services or develop new services based on the needs of the youth.
• Co-facilitate groups of youth focusing on goals as specified in the treatment plan.
• Provide consultation and education to individuals and groups, and use problem-solving techniques with the objective of assisting youth in improving or maintaining functioning.
• Serve as a role model and active participant in supporting youth in meeting their treatment plan goals.
• The Youth Peer Support Specialist is responsible to document, in the form of written notes, in ODIN all family/individual contacts and/or activities conducted on their behalf.
• Conducts individual check-ins as necessary, provides check-in contact when clinicians are unavailable, as appropriate.
• Assists in facilitating community referrals to resources identified by the clinician, individual and family.
• Attends staff, team and department meetings.
• Performs other duties as assigned. Administration
• Performs the administrative tasks related to assigned caseload and other work assignments as required by the Agency.
• Provides assistance and support to other staff members, as appropriate and to coordinate program activities when assigned to do so.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum High School Diploma/GED and relevant work/life experiences.
• Certification as a Youth Peer Support Specialist within six months of hire. Attend all required trainings to enhance skills and meet Agency guidelines as required by the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
• Minimum of one year of experience working with minors and their families, preferred.
• Special abilities and skills necessary to perform the required tasks and that best meet the needs of the Agency also will be considered. Any standard above may be waived when compensating specifications or circumstances exist.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment while representing and service the Specialist Services for Youth program interests.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

As of Jan. 7, 2022, all new hires must:

• (A) Already be fully vaccinated in advance of starting employment, OR
• (B) Complete a single-dose vaccine – or – the first shot of a two-dose vaccine by their first day of employment at Oakland Family Services; those pursuing a two-dose vaccine have 30 days to complete the process and will be required to follow required testing protocols during the interim.

Oakland Family Services complies with all applicable laws and regulations, and, as such, considers all requests for medical or religious exemptions from the vaccination requirements and offers legally entitled reasonable accommodations.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Addiction counseling: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: One location