Peer Support Specialist

Children's Institute•Los Angeles, CA

About The Position

The Peer Support Specialist embraces CII’s North Star and uses a whole-family approach to help program participants access comprehensive, high-quality services and support. The role provides direct services to caregivers, children, youth, and non-minor dependents connected to the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, drawing on the specialist’s own lived experience to support, engage, and motivate participants. The position is intended to reflect the cultural, ethnic, and demographic population served by the program. The specialist mentors participants, coordinates care as part of a multidisciplinary team, helps youth pursue goals and leadership opportunities, and contributes to service quality improvement. The role requires regular participant contact, recordkeeping, outreach, and collaboration with providers and colleagues. This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

Personal experience connected to the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems.
Valid driver’s license and state-required auto insurance.
Ability to travel to sites 25% to 50% of the time.
Ability to handle confidential information and protect patient privacy, including the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of Protected Health Information and limiting its use and disclosure to authorized individuals and entities.
Sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the service population.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Punctual and dependable attendance.
Working knowledge of computer programs in a Windows environment.
Complete New Hire Orientation, Mandated Reporter training, 40 hours of adoption-specific training, and Safely Surrendered Babies training.
Satisfactorily perform the essential duties; reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Nice To Haves

High school diploma or GED.
Bilingual Spanish/English.

Responsibilities

Mentor and support caregivers, children, youth, and non-minor dependents with former or current experience in the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems.
Meet regularly with participants virtually, in person, and through text and email.
Maintain appropriate case notes and other records, prepare periodic reports, and ensure participant records are audit ready.
Meet or exceed client service delivery goals.
Participate as a member of a multidisciplinary team and ensure coordination of care.
Share personal experiences and provide insight into the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, assisting participants throughout services.
Support oversight of the youth commission and work directly with youth to drive programming.
Identify, refer, and connect participants to leadership development and social support opportunities.
Provide hands-on coaching and support to youth as they work toward their goals.
Model and encourage direct, professional communication with peers and outside providers.
Conduct outreach and engagement to increase youth participation and gather ongoing feedback to improve services.
Participate in regular clinical supervision.
Participate in the division’s Continuous Quality Improvement process.
Participate in integrated case conferences and team meetings to monitor individual needs and service plans and support effective clinical service delivery aligned with CII’s whole-family approach.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Benefits

Generous paid PTO, 10 paid holidays, and closure between Christmas and New Year.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees and qualified dependents.
403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution for eligible employees.
Tuition reimbursement of up to $4,500 per calendar year.
Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA).
Employer-paid life and AD&D insurance.
Voluntary supplemental insurance.
Opportunity for growth and advancement.
Professional development and continued training.
Company-sponsored team-building and bonding events and activities.