Recovery Support Specialist

New Reach•New Haven, CT

14d

About The Position

As part of a pilot project, New Reach is seeking a full-time Recovery Support Specialist to provide person-centered peer-to-peer support services to households affected by housing instability. The Recovery Support Specialist will lend mentorship, guidance, and coaching care focused on parenting skills, household duties, educational system navigation, and daily living skills. The person in this role will offer a unique level of expertise and ability to effectively establish a trusting rapport with a client due to his/her own experience with homelessness, mental health, or substance use. Primary Purpose: The Agency partners with the Coordinated Access Network (CAN) to provide ongoing case management, stabilization support, and advocacy for individuals, families and youth experiencing homelessness or housing instability In Greater New Haven. The Recovery Support Specialist delivers client-centered services designed to participants using as little support as necessary and as much support as needed through the teaching of daily living skills and collaboration with the case worker to address barriers to maintaining housing.

Requirements

Must have completed the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Recovery Assistant Training and have received the Certification or intend to complete the certification process within the first 6 months of hire. If certified, must be registered with DMHAS as having completed an approved Recovery Assistant training program and will be able to meet any continuing education and/or training requirements set by DMHAS.
Possess at least a high school diploma or GED as well as a valid Connecticut Driver's License, proof of insurance and access to reliable transportation.
High level of personal accountability for the quality and impact of work on the youth and their community.
Excellent communication skills, professional demeanor, sound judgement, and strong organizational skills.
Willingness to work collaboratively, but with the capacity to work independently and prioritize tasks.

Nice To Haves

Lived experience with homelessness as a transition-age youth desired.
Bilingual/Bicultural preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide direct support, coaching, mentoring, crisis intervention, advocacy, referrals and life skills training to increase self-sufficiency
Encourage clients in a client-centered, strengths-based manner to identify and work toward goals that support their long-term permanency in the community, utilizing community partners and programs including but not limited to county workers, courts, professionals, vocational and independent living skills in programs, schools, family members and significant others
Embrace foundational underpinnings of Trauma-Informed Care; Harm Reduction; Positive Youth Development; Motivational Interviewing
Work closely with the Supportive Housing team to ensure tasks and follow-up are handed off appropriately through strong coordination and communication to maintain successful program operations
Maintain timely (within 48 hours) and accurate client files, including but not limited to care plans, correspondence, needs assessments, HMIS data collection, and progress notes, per agency standards
Maintain strict confidentiality regarding client information; follow mandated reporting protocol whenever appropriate; adhere to all New Reach Policies and Procedures
Provide a commitment to the values of New Reach: Professionalism, Integrity, Compassion and Initiative
Attend regularly scheduled supervision, staff meetings, community meetings, or trainings as scheduled
Other duties as assigned to enhance program start-up and service delivery