Youth Peer Support Specialist-Part Time (Union) 26-54

Sanilac Brand•Sandusky, MI

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Youth Peer Specialist (YPSS) will act as a support and resource for youth with serious emotional disturbances (SED) who are receiving services in the behavioral health system. The YPSS act as a key member of the treatment team by working with youth one on one or in a group, supporting them in achieving goals through shared activities and interventions. YPSSs will support youth empowerment by assisting youth in developing skills to improve their overall functioning and quality of life and working collaboratively with others involved in delivering the youth’s care.

Requirements

High School Diploma/GED.
Peer Specialist must actively pursue DCH certification as a Peer Support Specialist as soon as possible and not later than one year after beginning employment.
DCH Group Home Certification required within the first three months of employment.
Must be young adult, ages 18 through 28, who received mental health services as a youth.
Experience receiving services as a youth in complex, child serving systems preferred (Behavioral health, child welfare, juvenile justice, special education)
Critical Thinking
Valid Chauffeurs' Licensed.
Must have reached and demonstrated a level of recovery to function as a consistent and stabilizing influence for the individuals we serve.
Trained in the MDHHS approved curriculum and ongoing training model.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Has the ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Knowledge of Word Processing software.
Typing speed of 45 wpm is recommended.
Must have lived experience with behavioral health issues.

Nice To Haves

Experience receiving services as a youth in complex, child serving systems preferred (Behavioral health, child welfare, juvenile justice, special education)

Responsibilities

Teach and role model the value of every individual's recovery experience.
Assist individuals we serve in articulating personal goals for recovery.
Assist individuals we serve in determining the objectives they need to take in order to reach their recovery goals.
Attend staff meetings to provide information and training on Recovery and Peer Support.
Assist individuals we serve in setting up and sustaining self-help (mutual support) groups.
Assist individuals we serve in creating a Wellness Recovery Action Plan(WRAP).
Develop and implement groups to enhance Recovery for persons served.
Utilize and teach problem solving techniques with individuals and groups.
Support the vocational choices individuals receiving services make and assist them in overcoming job-related anxiety.
Assist individuals we serve in building social skills in the community that will enhance job acquisition and tenure.
Assist other staff in identifying program environments that are conducive to recovery; lend their unique insight into mental illness and what makes recovery possible.
Attend treatment team meetings to promote use of self-directed recovery skills for the individuals we serve.
Model effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
Attend relevant seminars, meetings, and in-service trainings whenever offered.
Provide trainings to other professional staff as well as the community on recovery and peer supports.
Performs other duties as assigned.