Youth Peer Support

Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority•Saginaw, MI

13d•$17 - $19•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Mental Health Supervisor (Transition Age Youth), this role works to instill a message of hope and recovery in youth and young adults (ages 14-22) to help them achieve their goals in transitioning to independence and adulthood. The position supports assigned individuals to increase community inclusion, participation, independence, and productivity. The Youth Peer Support Specialist serves as a model for recovery and willingness to share their transition story. This role requires knowledge of and active support for culturally competent recovery-based practices, person-centered planning as a shared decision-making process, and a trauma-informed culture of safety to aid individuals in their recovery and transitioning process.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent with the ability to read and understand written plans of service and clearly and concisely document contacts.
Must have received behavioral health services and “lived” experience participating in SED (serious emotional disturbances) treatment services, collaborating with, but not limited to, CMH, Department of Health and Human Services, Foster Care, Child Protective Services, Juvenile Justice, criminal Justice, etc.
Valid Michigan Driver’s license with good driving record.
Must have or attain within six (6) months of hire certification through Michigan Department Community Health (MDCH) as a Certified Youth Peer Support Specialist (CYPSS).
A belief that youth and young adults with Serious Emotional Challenges can live productive/independent lives.
Willingness to share your own personal story of recovery with the public and other persons served.
Ability to plan, organize and complete work in a timely fashion.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Must have safe driving habits and a valid Michigan Drivers license.
Must have the computer skills necessary to document persons served contacts.
Ability to work as a member of a team and maintain flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of youth and young adults.
Ability to accept constructive supervision.
Knowledge and support for person centered planning concepts.
Ability to work effectively as a team, as well as independently.
Have a working knowledge of community resources.
Functional competency in reading, writing, and math skills.
Hearing acuity to converse in person and on telephone.
Visual Acuity to observe persons served behavior’s, read and proofread documents and use CRT.
Ability to walk, stand or sit for extended periods of time.
Manual dexterity to write and to operate standard office equipment (PC, Keyboard, Copy Machine, Fax Machine, etc.).
Ability to lift and carry files and supplies at least 20 pounds.
Strong interpersonal skills to interact with leadership, employees, persons served and the general public.
Analytical skills necessary to conduct research, analyze, and interpret complex data and identify and solve problems by proposing courses of action.
Ability to plan short and long range and to manage and schedule time.
Ability to handle stress in meeting deadlines and dealing with large numbers of employees and/or persons served.

Nice To Haves

Associates degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide peer-delivered services to youth and young adults with serious emotional disturbance/serious mental illness (SED/SMI) through non-judgmental support, connection through lived experience, and supporting self-advocacy.
Participate in and assist in developing and implementing Transition Age Youth (TAY) services at SCCMHA according to research-based core practices, including future planning, rationales, in-vivo training, social-problem-solving, high-risk behaviors/situations prevention, and mediation.
Build strong relationships based on mutual respect and strategic self-disclosure to increase hope, confidence, self-advocacy skills, and decision-making abilities.
Communicate, represent, and promote peer perspectives to SCCMHA and other community agencies regarding strengths, preferences, barriers, and needs of individuals served in developing and implementing person-centered and recovery-oriented TAY programs.
Promote hope and acceptance by sharing lived experience stories to reduce stigma and increase youth voice and ownership in services.
Assist and prepare youth and young adults to successfully navigate challenges, support opportunities for them to have a voice in planning and decision-making, empower them to communicate wants and needs, and encourage participation in services and daily activities.
Attend SCCMHA TAY team meetings and other inter-agency and intra-agency case conferences/meetings related to the successful transition of youth or young adults with EBD into independence and adult roles.
Assist youth and young adults in providing consultation, education, and accessing/navigating resources to help maintain or improve levels of functioning in research-based transition domains: personal effectiveness and wellbeing, community life, employment and career, educational opportunities, and living situation.
Provide consultation, assistance, and resources to TAY families to promote person-centered recovery systems of care.
Partner with SCCMHA TAY by sharing lived experiences to link youth and young adults to internal and/or external supports, community resources, agencies, and programs.
Assist youth and young adults in developing value-based empowerment skills through self-advocacy and model effective coping skills to manage emotional regulation, stress, social pressure, and stigma.
Establish supportive relationships with youth and young-adult persons served and cultivate a warm and welcoming environment in coordinating and facilitating events, services, and treatment programs.
Attend Youth Peer Support Specialist Certification training, work-related workshops, seminars, and SCCMHA training in consultation with their supervisor.
Participate in activities and serve as a representative of SCCMHA.
Work closely with case managers and other agency staff to ensure services are provided according to agency policy and the person-centered plan.
Participate in required trainings as identified by the supervisor.
Complete documentation of all job tasks according to agency policy utilizing an electronic medical record.
Assist persons served in carrying out tasks related to their person-centered plan, including pre-planning, plan development and implementation, assistance with keeping appointments, prescription refills, and transportation, as needed.
Participate in approved staff development activities, in-services, and supervisory sessions.
Participate in staff meetings to receive current information, guidance, and direction, and to represent the voice of persons served and the belief in recovery.
Advocate on behalf of youth and young adults.
Meet expectations for units/hours of service as established by the organization.
Participate in the planning for and implementation of evidence-based practices.
Adhere to the mission, vision, core values, and operating principles of SCCMHA at all times.
May represent SCCMHA on internal/external committees or workgroups to enhance service delivery and development and quality of care.
Perform various administrative/clerical functions such as preparing travel vouchers, making copies of documents, filing, etc.
React productively to change.
Accept other responsibilities and duties required by the supervisor, consistent with the accomplishment of agency goals and objectives and the functions of the position.
Use computer hardware and software to perform tasks.
May provide transportation to agency persons served consistent with identified needs and as agreed upon by assigned staff and supervisor.