Youth Peer Support Specialist - Certified

Easterseals MORC•Auburn Hills, MI

16h

About The Position

Easterseals MORC is hiring a Certified Youth Peer Support Specialist to support young people with mental health needs and help them participate in treatment, build skills, and connect with community supports. The specialist draws on firsthand lived experience with mental health challenges and recovery to provide peer support, education, advocacy, and assistance during difficult or crisis situations. The role involves working with youth, families, treatment teams, schools, faith communities, and human services organizations, while completing required documentation and following agency and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services requirements.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED certificate.
Possess and maintain current Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) certification and meet all MDHHS requirements for certification.
Be a young adult age 18 through 28 with lived experience of mental health challenges as a youth and experience receiving mental health services or supports as a youth or young adult.
Self-identify as an individual with a mental health condition that has resulted in a substantial life disruption.
Have lived experience receiving mental health treatment and/or services.
Have personal experience navigating mental health treatment and support systems.
Demonstrate a strong understanding of recovery and resiliency through firsthand lived experience and be willing to use a recovery story to support others.
Possess and maintain a valid Michigan driver's license and current auto insurance.

Responsibilities

Attend required training to enhance skills and meet agency guidelines and requirements established by MDHHS and other agencies governing agency operations.
Build and foster relationships with youth, families, and others working with the youth.
Actively engage as part of the treatment team, meet youth needs, and complete required documentation and paperwork.
Prepare youth to participate in meetings and treatment planning, including Wraparound, Family Centered Planning meetings, Individual Plans of Service (IPOS), and Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings.
Teach self-advocacy, problem-solving, and independent living skills.
Provide support during difficult or crisis situations.
Provide community education about youth culture and perspectives.
Interrupt bias, promote acceptance, and reduce mental health stigma.
Empower youth to help others understand their unique mental health needs.
Collaborate with youth and internal and external partners, including schools, faith communities, and human services organizations, to develop natural supports, eliminate service barriers, enhance community services, or develop services based on youth needs.
Co-facilitate youth groups focused on goals specified in treatment plans.
Provide consultation and education to individuals and groups and use problem-solving techniques to help youth improve or maintain functioning.
Serve as a role model and actively support youth in meeting treatment plan goals.

Benefits

Low-cost dental, health, and vision insurance.
Dependent care reimbursement.
Up to 5 days of paid FMLA for maternity, paternity, foster care, and adoption.
401(k) retirement plan.
Paid leave options.
Up to $125 bonus for taking 5 days off in a row.
10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays; over 30 days total of paid time off.
Wellness programs.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.
Bonuses and extra incentives.
Mileage reimbursement in accordance with the IRS rate.
Free financial planning services through LoVasco Consulting Group and SoFi partnerships.
Student loan repayment options.
Pet insurance.