Youth Support Services Provider

Heartland Counseling Services•South Sioux City, NE

About The Position

The Youth Support Services Peer Support Specialist primarily supports school-age youth and may also work with young adults and adults as needed. Using direct lived experience with mental health services, the specialist collaborates with, coaches, and supports individuals as they pursue recovery, resiliency, self-advocacy, and culturally specific life goals. Services may be provided in schools and other community settings throughout the counties and areas served by the agency, with travel and appointments scheduled to accommodate clients. The specialist collaborates with mental health providers, assists clients and parents or guardians with paperwork, and helps screen, triage, and refer individuals to appropriate levels of care and services. The position provides crisis coverage through an on-call rotation, which may include evening and weekend responsibilities.

Requirements

Minimum of an associate degree or equivalent experience.
Identify as having direct lived experience in accordance with peer support services and be able to use that experience to ensure services, supports, and goals are driven by the individual served.
Hold, or be able to obtain and maintain, the State of Nebraska Peer Support Specialist credential in good standing, including any applicable certification or licensure required for the role.
Ability to build positive relationships with clients and maintain appropriate boundaries with clients, families, referral sources, and collaborating entities.
Ability to form cooperative and supportive relationships with staff and the agency.
Maintain ethics and confidentiality as dictated by the profession.
Maintain certifications as needed.
Strong interpersonal skills when working with diverse populations.
Verbal and written communication skills.
Valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record.

Responsibilities

Coordinate with therapists, agency providers, and community partners to connect clients with mental health and support services and provide ongoing care and consultation as needed.
Assist clients and parents or guardians with paperwork needed to establish and maintain services and complete other required documentation.
Facilitate small groups as appropriate to client and program needs.
Help clients understand recovery and resiliency and apply skills toward life goals, tailoring support to each individual’s age and needs.
Work cooperatively and effectively with individuals and groups from diverse populations.
Identify resources, training, and skill-building opportunities to help clients achieve their goals.
Maintain current client charts in accordance with agency and state standards.
Complete documentation in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
Travel to other counties and agency service areas to meet clients in schools and community settings at times that work for them.
Provide crisis support and intervention, including screening, triage, and safety planning.
Participate in the on-call rotation to maintain crisis-line coverage, which may include evenings and weekends.
Attend scheduled supervisory, all-staff, and community-based staff meetings as needed.
Participate in assigned community events and committees.
Perform other related duties as assigned.