Peer Transition Diversion Specialist – (Monticello)

Independent Living•Monticello, NY

12h•Hybrid

About The Position

Independent Living, Inc. (ILI) is seeking a Peer Transition/Diversion Specialist to provide intensive, individualized peer support to individuals with mental health disabilities who are transitioning from psychiatric hospitals, treatment facilities, correctional settings, or other institutional environments into the community. This role leverages personal lived experience and recovery-oriented practices to help individuals develop goals, strengthen support networks, navigate systems, and access resources for successful community living. The specialist collaborates with various teams and providers to facilitate effective transitions and prevent unnecessary hospitalizations. The role promotes self-determination, recovery, wellness, independent living, and quality of life through demand-responsive peer engagement and advocacy.

Requirements

Personal lived experience as a current or former recipient of mental health services and the ability to use that experience appropriately and effectively in a peer-support role.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Willingness and ability to undergo hospital and partnership onboarding.
Experience working with individuals with serious or persistent mental health disabilities.
Strong knowledge of the mental health system, recovery principles, peer support, and community-based services.
Ability to practice appropriate and purposeful self-disclosure while maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality.
Strong understanding of wellness, recovery, WRAP principles, self-determination, and independent living.
Demonstrated ability to connect individuals with disability, behavioral health, housing, benefits, employment, education, healthcare, and other community resources.
Knowledge of local, state, and national disability-related issues and community resources.
Strong advocacy, communication, relationship-building, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and respond effectively to changing or urgent needs.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Working knowledge of confidentiality requirements and applicable laws and regulations related to mental health and substance use services.
Must complete an approved advocacy training program within the first six months of employment.
Valid unrestricted driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field preferred, with at least two years of advocacy experience. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills; ASL proficiency is also a plus.
Experience facilitating peer-led groups or other recovery-oriented programming.
Knowledge of substance use disorder services, recovery supports, and local treatment resources.
Strong familiarity with community resources, including transportation, recreation, self-help, support groups, drop-in centers, housing, and other community-based services.
Experience with transition, diversion, hospital discharge planning, or community reintegration.
Familiarity with the DLA-20 Assessment Tool.
Experience working collaboratively with hospitals, behavioral health providers, correctional facilities, and other multidisciplinary systems.

Responsibilities

Provide proactive, individualized peer support to individuals transitioning from psychiatric hospitals, treatment facilities, correctional settings, and other institutional environments to community living.
Collaborate with discharge teams, clinicians, hospitals, treatment providers, and community agencies to develop and implement effective transition and discharge plans.
Engage individuals who may be at increased risk of hospitalization or institutionalization and provide timely, flexible, and intensive peer support during periods of increased vulnerability.
Support individuals in developing Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP), advanced directives, health care proxies, and other tools that promote self-direction and continuity of care.
Provide ongoing peer counseling, advocacy, recovery education, and support related to wellness, self-management, and community integration.
Help individuals identify and pursue personal goals related to housing, employment, education, relationships, wellness, recreation, and independent living.
Assist individuals in navigating behavioral health, disability, social service, and other community systems while promoting informed choice and self-determination.
Develop and maintain integrated support networks that may include case management, benefits advisement, housing, employment, education, self-help, family supports, healthcare providers, treatment programs, emergency services, and other resources identified by the individual.
Provide individual advocacy by helping individuals understand and exercise their rights, resolve concerns, access services, and make informed decisions about supports.
Identify recurring barriers and concerns affecting individuals and participate in systems advocacy efforts to improve services, policies, and community resources.
Educate individuals, families, providers, and community partners about disability, mental health recovery, available resources, and community-based alternatives.
Promote personal empowerment, independence, recovery, and the development of independent living skills.
Maintain current knowledge of mental health, substance use, disability, transition, diversion, and community-based service systems.
Maintain effective working relationships with hospitals, treatment programs, behavioral health providers, correctional facilities, and community organizations.
Complete required documentation, case notes, statistical reports, and other records accurately and within established deadlines.
Attend and actively participate in required meetings, supervision, trainings, and professional development activities.
Facilitate community wellness groups as needed.
Provides screening, navigation, and care coordination through the Social Care Network, connecting individuals to appropriate services and documenting outcomes.
Perform other related responsibilities and participate in additional training as assigned.