Child & Family Peer Support Specialist (PSS / PWS) - CF043
About The Position
The Child & Family Peer Support Specialist is responsible for acting as a role model through sharing lived experiences and helping connect program participants to resources around physical and mental health, financial/legal assistance and transportation. At NARA NW, we deliver services and support to Native American and Alaska Native communities, helping individuals lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. With over 450 employees across a variety of programs—including medical and dental care, addiction treatment, housing assistance, and enrichment initiatives NARA NW offers numerous opportunities for growth and advancement, all while making a tangible, positive impact on the lives of others. The mission of NARA NW is to provide education, physical, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and anyone in need.
Requirements
- Either High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certification required.
- Must hold a Peer Wellness Specialist or Peer Support Specialist certification and be registered with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Traditional Healthcare Worker Registry.
- Must have at least one year of relevant lived experience, knowledge of the child- and youth-serving systems, and the ability to navigate the system.
- Excellent interpersonal and active listening skills.
- Access to reliable transportation, current driver’s license with a clean driving record, and proof of auto insurance.
- Must pass a pre-employment or for cause drug tests.
- Must pass criminal background and DMV checks.
Nice To Haves
- Experience working within the Native American/Alaska Native community preferred.
Responsibilities
- Must openly identify as a person who has lived experience receiving mental health services.
- Act as a role model to inspire hope and share life experiences as appropriate to the recovery process.
- Provide expertise and consultation from a mental health client perspective to the entire team concerning each client’s unique and subjective experience and perceptions.
- Provide practical help and supports, mentoring, advocacy, coordination, side-by-side individualized support, problem-solving, direct assistance and supervision to help clients obtain the necessities of daily living including medical and dental health care; legal and advocacy services; financial support such as entitlements (SSI, SSDI, veterans’ benefits); housing subsidies; money-management services (e.g. payee services); and transportation.
- Collaborate with the team to promote a team culture in which each client’s point of view, experiences, and preferences are recognized, understood, and respected, and in which client self-determination and decision-making in treatment planning are maximized and supported.
- Collaborate with the team to ensure the protection of client’s rights to help clients improve their knowledge of client rights and grievance or complaint procedures.
- Increase awareness of and support client participation in consumer self-help programs, culturally specific services and consumer advocacy organizations that promote recovery.
Benefits
- Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance through Kaiser Permanente
- 15 Paid Holidays
- 13 Paid Days of Sick Time
- 13 Paid Days of PTO
- $50,000 Life Insurance & AD&D
- Short Term and Long-Term Disability
- Flexible Spending Account
- Health Spending Account
- 401(k) with 4% Match
- Employee Assistance Program
- Inclement Weather Days (Snow Days)
- Public Student Loan Forgiveness
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
