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 using intensive, street-based case management to build relationships and engage people with unmet behavioral health needs. It provides a low-barrier system of care intended to divert participants from the criminal justice system and connect them with services and supports. The model serves people who may experience unmanaged behavioral health needs, complex trauma, cognitive disabilities, persistent poverty, and marginalization, and who are not well served by office-based, appointment-based, or time-limited care. The Peer Specialist provides outreach, peer support, advocacy, and assistance connecting participants to services. The role includes street-based work, community engagement, transportation to services in an agency vehicle, participation in meetings and court-related diversion referrals, and collaboration with LEAD partners, service providers, and law enforcement. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pay is $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.
Valid driver’s license and ability to be insured.
Ability to pass background checks and clearances.

Nice To Haves

Certification as a NYS Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA); preferred but not required.

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 wanted and needed services, connect them with those services, and schedule appointments.
Transport participants to services in 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 assigned by a supervisor or delegate.
Develop and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with LEAD partners, service providers, law enforcement, and participants.
Conduct 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, police, or Dutchess County Stabilization Center.
Attend City of Poughkeepsie Court to facilitate diversion referrals and meet with participants.
Perform other duties assigned by a supervisor or delegate.