Peer Support Specialist

Volunteers of America Mid-States•London, KY

About The Position

The Community Outreach Coordinator/Peer Support is responsible for all outreach to referral sources in our communities that include, but are not limited to the judicial system, corrections department, hospital and healthcare providers, and other community partners. Additionally, the Peer Support Specialist/Outreach Coordinator will assist with recruitment of FRC participants by attending home court dates and discussing program, discuss treatment options with potential new participants and assist with scheduling assessments as needed and securing treatment bed as applicable. They will provide ongoing support to FRC clients throughout each phase of the program through individual and group peer support sessions, attend interdisciplinary team meetings and provide updates on client progress to the treatment team. The Peer Support Specialist/Outreach Coordinator will also attend community outreach, educational sessions, training and in-services to provide relevant information regarding FRC and other programs as needed.

Requirements

High School Graduate or GED
Valid KY. Driver’s License and current automobile insurance required.

Nice To Haves

KY Certified peer support specialist preferred
Preferred applicants with 2 years of demonstrated, successful, sustained recovery

Responsibilities

Follow through intake procedures.
Maintain regular/weekly contact with referral sources including but not limited to regional and local DCBS, probation and parole, hospitals, and detox centers. This includes checking for possible new referrals and updating on bed census at Freedom House.
Actively identify and support linkages to community resources (communities of recovery, educational, vocational, social, cultural, spiritual resources, mutual self- help groups, professional services, etc.).
Provide vision-driven hope and encouragement for opportunities at varying levels of involvement in community-based activities (e.g., work, school, relationships, physical activity, self-directed hobbies, etc.).
Develop relationships with community groups/agencies in partnership with others in the agency.
Maintain project logs, reports and records in appropriate files and database(s).
Provide recovery education to service recipients for every phase of the recovery journey from pre-recovery engagement, recovery initiation, recovery stabilization, and sustained recovery maintenance.
Assist recovering persons to identify their personal interests, goals, strengths and weaknesses regarding recovery.
Recovery Planning -- facilitate (via personal coaching) the transition from a professionally directed service plan to a self-directed Recovery Plan. The goal should be to transition from professionally assisted recovery initiation to personally directed, community supported recovery maintenance.
Support connections to community based, mutual self-help groups. Link individuals to appropriate professional resources when needed. Provide vision-driven hope and encouragement for opportunities at varying levels of involvement in community-based activities (e.g., work, school, relationships, physical activity, self-directed hobbies, etc.).
Maintain contact by phone and/or e-mail with a recovery person after they leave the program to ensure their ongoing success and to provide re-engagement support in partnership with others in the agency if needed. Long-term engagement, support, and encouragement.
Other duties as directed by the Director and/or Management Staff.
Develop, implement, and promote ongoing community training opportunities.
Persistently developing leads for potential new referral partners

Benefits

Volunteers of America Mid-States, offers a rich and robust benefits package the supports a healthy work life balance, which include the following:
Health and Wellness
Employee Assistance Plans (EAP)
Health and Wellness Program
Medical Coverage
Dental Coverage
Vision Coverage
Flexible Spending Account
Health Spending Account
Short Term Disability
MetLife Legal Plans
Financial Wellbeing
Competitive Compensation Packages
Life Insurance (company paid)
403b retirement plan with company fund matching
Employee discounts
Loan forgiveness options through federal programs (National Health Corp & Public Service Loan Forgiveness)
All company paid benefits and paid time off effective day one
Work Culture
Commitment Committee
Justice Committee
Integrity Committee
Compassion Committee
Retention Committee
Training & Development
VOA LEAD Program- Leadership Development Program
VOA University - Staff Development
VOA Academy - Clinical Training and Development