Peer Support Specialist – Parent Partner

About the role

The Y provides culturally competent, strength-based peer support to families to decrease crisis, increase in-home stabilization, and assist families in reducing negative contact with law enforcement and the juvenile justice system. Services are provided in client homes, schools, or other convenient community locations.

Responsibilities

• Provides both immediate and scheduled community outreach services to families in South King County (Auburn, Kent, Renton, Federal Way and other potential locations).
• Affords parent/caregiver in developing self-determination and empowerment skills through self-advocacy.
• Identifies family stresses, instability, and provides appropriate support.
• Identifies community resources and natural supports and works with the parent/caregiver to effectively navigate resources.
• Collaborates effectively with co-workers, supervisors, and outside professionals to create and meet action plan goals.
• Works with families to build their own "Child & Family Team."
• Attends wrap around and other team meetings to support youth and ensure that their voice is heard.
• Acts as a role model for effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• Maintains a working knowledge of current trends and developments in behavioral health.
• Completes required documentation within program deadlines.
• Reports all critical incidents and adheres to YMCA program rules and procedures.
• Assesses and creates safety plans to meet immediate safety and stabilization needs.
• Customizes helping approaches to fit the family's uniqueness, personality, culture, and interest.
• Reassures and communicates hopefulness so clients know, "they are not in this alone."

Qualifications

• Personal experience as a parent or custodial guardian who has sought and received assistance from community mental health and/or school systems (juvenile justice, behavioral health, child welfare, special education) for their own child or youth who experienced emotional and/or behavioral problems.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of a team.
• Ability to effectively communicate with others.
• Ability to effectively use virtual platforms, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, to communicate with team and youth and families.
• Ability to set priorities and manage time effectively.
• Ability to use a computer and work with Microsoft Windows Outlook and electronic health records data system.
• Trained in and familiar with recovery model and able to assist families and youth to focus on their strengths, utilize their voice, and partner with their team.
• Demonstrated ability to engage youth and their families in a structured process to verbalize their needs, develop an individualized care plan, and transition to reliance on natural supports.
• Knowledge of community services and resources including: support groups, mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, juvenile justice, developmental disabilities, special education programs, etc.
• Experience with crisis de-escalation and crisis stabilization practices.

Requirements

• Frequent lifting or carrying up to 15 pounds.
• Must be able to hear.
• Frequent standing/walking going up and down stairs due to community outreach basis.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person and/or phone.
• The ability to read, analyze, and interpret information.
• The ability to write reports, correspondence, and procedures.
• The ability to maintain notes/records.
• The ability to define and solve practical problems.
• The ability to collect data.
• WA State Peer Counselor Certification preferred and required within one year of employment.
• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalence preferred.
• Possession of valid driver’s license and have access to a private vehicle for day-to-day job performance and Ability to transport self and youth in a safe and effective manner, and to meet youth and families at their home or in the community.
• Knowledge of and previous experience with, diverse populations and ability to speak another language in addition to English strongly preferred.
• Current State-approved first aid certification, state-approved CPR certification, BBP (HIV/AIDS) training certification.
• Washington State Agency Affiliated Counseling Credential. Training and certification can be completed after hire. Start process of training and certification within the first month of hire and full certification as a Peer within 6 months of hire.

Benefits

• Membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle for you and your household.
• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance.
• Retirement with generous employer contributions.
• Free access to mental health resources.
• Rapidly-accruing paid time off (PTO) available immediately upon hire.
• Discounts on qualifying YMCA of Greater Seattle childcare and day camp programs.

Pay

Hiring range: $22.00-24.20/hr

Schedule

Flexes schedule to include evenings and possible weekends to meet the needs of families.