Peer Specialist

Center for Alternative•New York, NY

2d•$51,500 - $53,045•Hybrid

About The Position

CASES is a New York City agency working at the forefront of the intersection between behavioral health and involvement in the criminal justice system. Our mission is to increase public safety through innovative services that reduce crime and incarceration, improve behavioral health, promote recovery and rehabilitation, and create opportunities for success in the community. The Behavioral Health division consists of a continuum of services for justice-involved individuals with serious mental illness, including outpatient clinic, health home care management (HHCM), assertive community treatment (ACT), and intensive mobile treatment (IMT). IMT is a multi-disciplinary team of behavioral health professionals (e.g., psychiatric care providers, registered nurses, behavioral health specialists, peer support staff) who work with 27 clients identified by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Single Point of Access (SPOA) who have frequent movement across the behavioral health care system (outpatient and inpatient), the housing system (shelter, street, supportive, and independent housing) and the criminal justice system (jail, probation, parole); existing underlying risk of violence and/or violent behavior; serious mental illness diagnosis; and/or a history of, or active use of, substances. IMT services include assessment and treatment planning, crisis intervention, medication management, medication assisted treatment, integrated mental health and substance abuse treatment, individual and group therapies, psycho-education, psychosocial and vocational rehabilitation, assistance with medical concerns and medication, linkage and follow-up assistance to primary medical care including on-going communication with primary care physicians, assistance with activities of daily living, assistance obtaining entitlements, housing procurement and support, linkage/coordination with the criminal justice system, and shelter system, and assistance in using family and community resources. The primary goal of IMT is engagement and improving clients’ quality of life through engagement in treatment, rehabilitation, housing and support services that promote wellness, recovery, community integration as well as community safety.

Requirements

Personal experience as a recipient of mental health services, substance use services and/or the criminal justice system.
Willingness to share personal, practical experience, knowledge, and first-hand insight to benefit program enrollees.
Experience working with adults who have needs in the areas of mental health, substance use, trauma, violence risk, homelessness, frequent psychiatric hospitalizations, and criminal-justice involvement.
Strong commitment to social justice and the CASES mission.

Nice To Haves

Previous use of an electronic health record, Footholds AWARDS preferred.
Experience in a multidisciplinary setting and field-based clinical work preferred.
Peer certification preferred.
Fluency in Spanish a plus.

Responsibilities

Build relationships with clients and their networks of support in order to provide hope and support the person’s recovery.
Assist clients with navigating the service systems, including behavioral and medical health, criminal justice, shelter system, entitlements and transportation.
Complete progress notes in the electronic health record within a timely manner for all services provided. Complete other assessments, such as crisis relapse prevention plans.
Work with external stakeholders – such as hospitals, shelters, jails, primary care – to achieve positive client outcomes.
Provide services in a strengths-based, recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive manner.