Peer Support Specialist , CCORS Parent Partner

YMCA Of Greater Seattle • Seattle, WA

19h • Hybrid

About The Position

Provides culturally competent, evidence and strength-based peer support and parenting skills coaching to parents to decrease crisis and increase in-home stabilization. Identifies parenting resources and supports and teaches parents the skills to effectively navigate resources in order to meet priority needs. Collaborates effectively with co-workers, supervisors and outside professionals to meet crisis prevention plan and action plan goals. Helps engage families in the Wraparound Team process. Supports the parents and acts as a bridge between the family and system representatives.
This position is at the Social Impact Center Y, the social services branch of YMCA of Greater Seattle (YGS). The mission of the Social Impact Center Y is to accelerate young people’s ability to build safe, successful, and happy lives. Every year, we serve 5,000 children, youth, young adults, and families across King County with programs that aim to strengthen young people’s ability to develop to their fullest potential through four strategies: reducing risk factors; navigating systems towards successful life transition; ensuring stability, safety and wellness in times of crisis; and building competencies and social capital. The Social Impact Center Y’s programs include housing, behavioral health, foster care licensing, violence prevention, education, and employment. Many of the young people we serve have had involvement in the foster care, criminal justice system, and/or homelessness systems.

Requirements

• Personal experience as a parent or custodial guardian who has sought and received assistance from community mental health and/or school systems (juvenile justice, behavioral health, child welfare, special education) for their own child or youth who experienced emotional and/or behavioral problems.
• Trained in and familiar with recovery model to assist families and youth focus on strengths, gain client voice and partner with their clinical teams.
• Experience serving families of children and youth with emotional or behavioral problems, developmental delays, substance abuse history or other challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to engage families in a structured process to verbalize needs, develop individualized plans, facilitate recovery, and transition to reliance on natural supports.
• Knowledge of community services and resources including: parent support groups, mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, juvenile justice, developmental disabilities, special education programs, etc.
• Experience with crisis de-escalation and crisis stabilization practices.
• Ability to work flexible hours as needed, including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to transport self and youth in a safe and effective manner, and to meet youth and families at their home or in the community. (Proof of adequate vehicle insurance coverage is required.)
• Current State-approved first aid certification, state-approved CPR certification, BBP (HIV/AIDS) training certification.
• TB test by the Mantoux method.
• Washington State Agency Affiliated Counseling Credential.
• Thrive on working in a collaborative environment.
• Are very adaptable.
• Have high ownership and strong work ethic.
• Are a great problem solver who can think on your feet.
• Truly enjoy being of service to people.
• Like being part of a team that cares about one another as people and enjoy working together.
• Want to know that the work you do contributes to building a better, stronger community for all.

Nice To Haves

• Other applicable education, training, and experience, which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position will be considered.
• Prefer knowledge of, and previous experience with, diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical activity, sexual orientation, etc.). Ability to speak any language in addition to English may be helpful.
• WA State Peer Counselor Certification preferred and required within one year of employment.
• This role has the potential to transport clients as an “authorized driver” for the YMCA of Greater Seattle (YGS) using an employer-provided vehicle. Driving duties for this role are optional, but preferred.
• To become an authorized driver, you must be 21+, have possessed a driver's license for at least 3 years, and pass a drug screen that will test for impairing substances (including marijuana) in addition to meeting the driving record standards below:
• YGS Driving Record Standards
• Within the last three (3) years: No more than two (2) vehicle related suspension(s) and/or reinstatement(s). No more than two (2) moving violations and/or accidents. Moving violations include, but are not limited to, the following: Speeding, Improper Lane Change, Failure to Yield in Right-of-Way, Failure to Obey Traffic Signal, Failure to obey Traffic Sign
• Within the last five (5) years: No Major Violations which include, but are not limited to, the following: DUI, DWI, OUI, OWI, BUI (Boating), Administrative Per Se, or Refusing to Test, Driving with an open container of alcohol, Reckless Driving, Hit and Run – property damage only (Incidents involving injury fall under Permanent Disqualification), Racing, Driving with a suspended/revoked license/insurance, Speeding over 20 mph, Fleeing and/or eluding police, Any other felony driving conviction(s)
• Driving records that result in Permanent disqualification from driving duties: More than 3 DUI, DWI, OUI, OWI, BUI, Administrative Per Se, or Refusing to Test for entirety of driving history. More than 3 Driving with a suspended/revoked license, Hit and Run resulting in bodily injury or death, Manslaughter/felony death by motor vehicle
• Due to state-specific reporting requirements in our driver management system, we are not currently able to enroll California Driver's License holders as Authorized Drivers.
• Reliable Transportation Requirement
• This role requires you to have access to reliable transportation to be able to meet clients out in the community, including locations that may not be easily accessible by public transportation.

Responsibilities

• Provides immediate and scheduled crisis outreach services to families in King County and additional coverage as needed.
• On-call shifts once per week of 6 hours in duration, and additional weekend on-call shifts every seven weeks.
• Flexes schedule to include evenings and weekends to meet the needs of families.
• Provides culturally competent, evidence and strength-based peer support and parenting skills coaching to parents to decrease crisis and increase in-home stabilization.
• Identifies parenting resources and supports and teaches parents the skills to effectively navigate resources.
• Collaborates effectively with co-workers, supervisors and outside professionals to meet action plan goals.
• Uses triage, supervision and case consultation effectively to ensure best services for children and families.
• Transports parents/families to appointments, meetings, or other locations as needed to support the action plan and linkage to community resources.
• Works with families to build their own "Child & Family Team". Attends wrap around and other team meetings to support parents and ensure that their voice is heard. Acts as a role model for effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• Maintains a working knowledge of current trends and developments in mental health.
• Completes required documentation within program deadlines. Reports all critical incidents and adheres to YMCA program rules and procedures.
• All employees and volunteers are responsible for adhering to abuse prevention policies, maintaining appropriate boundaries, completing required training, reporting suspicious or inappropriate behavior, and complying with mandated reporting requirements. Responsible for ensuring staff are properly screened, trained, supervised and held accountable to the organization’s abuse risk management standards.

Benefits

• Membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle for you and your household
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance
• Retirement with 12% employer contributions after 2 years of services - see Y Retirement for more information. Other Savings plans available upon hire.
• Free access to mental health resources
• Rapidly accruing paid time off (PTO)
• Discounts on qualifying YMCA of Greater Seattle childcare, day camp, overnight camp and outdoor leadership programs. 25% for part-time staff, 50% for full-time staff.
• Direct care staff in the Social Impact Center receive monthly personal Wellness days in addition to existing PTO and Paid Holiday benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed