LEAD Peer Specialist

People USA•Poughkeepsie, NY

10d

About The Position

People USA is hiring a LEAD Peer Specialist (Person with Lived Experience/Peer Advocate) in Poughkeepsie, New York. LEAD is a nationwide model that builds relationships through intensive, street-based case management. It provides a low-barrier system of care intended to divert people with unmet behavioral health needs from the criminal justice system and connect them with services and supports. The model serves people with unmanaged behavioral health needs, complex trauma, cognitive disabilities, persistent poverty, and histories of punishment, failure, betrayal, and marginalization who may not be served by office-based, appointment-based, or time-limited care. The Peer Specialist provides outreach, peer support, advocacy, engagement, and service connections for participants. The role involves working in the community, coordinating with LEAD partners and service providers, and supporting participants through appointments and crisis situations. The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and pays $24.76 per hour. The position reports to the Site Director, Dutchess County Stabilization Center.

Requirements

Experience engaging individuals with complex needs, including substance use disorder, mental and physical health concerns, homelessness, and trauma.
Comfort working with individuals who are actively using substances.
Familiarity with and ability to support harm reduction strategies.
Ability to work comfortably on a team and collaborate with law enforcement.
Focus on person-centered and trauma-informed care.
Strong time-management and problem-solving skills.
Willingness to conduct street outreach and work in the community outside an office setting.
Lived experience with behavioral health challenges and strong personal awareness.
Driver’s license, ability to be insured, and ability to pass background checks and clearances.

Nice To Haves

NYS Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) certification.

Responsibilities

Provide peer outreach, direction, and support.
Create opportunities for formal and informal peer support among participants.
Help organize and facilitate community events and experiences for participants.
Assist the LEAD team with participant engagement and suggest approaches for participants who are reluctant or decline outreach.
Help participants identify desired and needed services, connect them with those services, and schedule appointments.
Transport participants to services using an agency vehicle and support them during service appointments.
Advocate for participants.
Conduct outreach and follow-ups, and complete service plans for participants in the maintenance stage.
Attend Operation Work Group meetings as scheduled and other community-based meetings as directed or suggested by the supervisor or delegate.
Develop and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with LEAD partners, service providers, law enforcement, and participants, including through street-based outreach and engagement with a complex population.
Follow policies and procedures for managing community crisis situations, which may include contacting the Helpline, Mobile Crisis Team, or police, or using the Dutchess County Stabilization Center.
Attend City of Poughkeepsie Court to facilitate diversion referrals and meet with participants.
Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor or delegate.