Peer Support Specialist - Housing

BestCare Treatment Services•Madras, OR

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Peer Support Specialist for housing will provide support service components to clients who are eligible and accepted into the Rental Assistance/Supported Housing Program (SHP/RA) to provide support and resources to improve and maintain their ability to live as independently as possible within the community.

Requirements

High School Diploma (or equivalent) required
Must meet the Oregon Administrative Rules definition of a peer: “any individual who has similar life experience, either as a current or former recipient of addictions or mental health services, or as a family member of an individual who is a current or former recipient of addictions or mental health services.”
Familiarity with mental illness and substance abusing populations as well as people with disabilities, and community resources.
For individuals in recovery from substance-use disorder and/or mental illness, must have maintained continuous recovery for the previous two years at the time of hire
Peer Support Specialist certification (PSS, THW, PWS) from a State-approved training program is required. New Hires that do not hold a current certification must make an application within the first 30 days of employment and complete within 6 months from date of hire
Must maintain a valid Oregon Driver License or ability to obtain one upon hire, and be insurable under the organization’s auto liability coverage policy (minimum 21 years of age and with no Type A violations in the past 3 years, or three (3) or more Type B violations)

Nice To Haves

Lived experience and/or understanding of the unique difficulties of those who are transient or experiencing houselessness
Associate’s degree or college courses in a behavioral health field
Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus

Responsibilities

Works with clients in securing and maintaining housing
Works closely with other staff and as a key member of the Mental Health Team to provide effective, compassionate care and supports
Assists clients with accessing resources, benefits, and entitlement programs
Completes administrative paperwork, including but not limited to participant screening and all administrative paperwork required related to client housing and the Supported Housing Program
Provides support to mental health clients in achieving their treatment plans (ISSP/Individual Services & Support Plan) goals and objectives
Stays abreast of state housing codes/standards and ensures that each prospective rental unit is in full compliance with said housing standards
Provides transportation for clients when appropriate and under the direction of the mental health clinician and/or MH Clinical Supervisor
When appropriate, conducts or participates in client home visits and welfare checks, working in conjunction with the mental health clinician and/or MH clinical supervisor
Assists with the facilitation and coordination of skill-building such as completing applications, budgeting, timely bill payments, accessing community resources, maintaining healthy relationships, and applying for mainstream housing resources (HUD/Section 8)
Maintains clinical documentation within agency stated guidelines
Participates in training (agency, state, regional, etc.) that will assist the employee in their position
Models appropriate behavior to the newer staff and helps to train and orient new staff to the program. In addition to being a positive role model, provides assistance to clients, showing compassion and being effective in engaging clients in mental health treatment services wherever possible
Other related duties as assigned by immediate supervisor or Program Director