Youth Peer Support

Classification: Youth Peer Support

Pay Range: $16.75 - $19.18 per hour

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Mental Health Supervisor (Transition Age Youth), works to instill a message of hope and recovery to youth and young adults (ages 14-22) to meet their overarching goals in transitioning to independence and adulthood. Will work with assigned persons served with the specific purpose of supporting persons served to achieve increased community inclusion and participation, independence, and productivity. Serves as a model for others that recovery/independence can be achieved, and willing to share their story of transitioning. This position will be knowledgeable about and actively support culturally competent recovery‑based practices; person‑centered planning as a shared decision‑making process with the individual, who defines his/her life goals and is assisted in developing a unique path toward those goals; and a trauma‑informed culture of safety to aid the persons served in the recovery/transitioning process.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Youth Peer Support is a peer‑delivered service for youth and young adults. It is designed to support youth and young adults with serious emotional disturbance/serious mental illness (SED/SMI) through shared activities and interventions in the form of non‑judgmental support, connection through lived experience, and supporting self‑advocacy. Participates and assists in developing and implementing 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 with TAY and other involved parties.
• Assists in communicating, representing, and promoting the peer perspective to SCCMHA and other community agencies, relating to persons served’s strengths, preferences, barriers, and needs in developing and implementing person‑centered and recovery‑oriented TAY program. Promotes hope and acceptance by sharing lived‑experience story to reduce stigma and increase youth voice and ownership in services.
• Attends SCCMHA TAY team meetings as well as other inter‑agency and intra‑agency case conferences/meetings related to successful transition of youth or young adults with EBD into independence and adult roles. Youth Peer Support activities are identified as part of the assessment and the person‑centered/family‑driven, youth‑guided planning process. Services are provided one‑on‑one by trained Youth Peer Support Specialists in a home or community setting.
• Assists youth and young adults in providing consultation, education and (accessing and navigating) resources to help maintain or improve levels of functioning across research‑based transition domains: personal effectiveness and wellbeing, community life, employment and career, educational opportunities, and living situation.
• May provide consultation, assistance, and resources to TAY families to promote person‑centered recovery systems of care.
• Partners with SCCMHA TAY by sharing lived experiences, linking youth and young adults to internal and/or external supports, community resources, agencies, and programs.
• Assists youth and young adults in developing value‑based empowerment skills through self‑advocacy and models effective coping skills to manage emotional regulation, stress, social pressure, and stigma during transition and recovery.
• Establishes supportive relationships with youth and young‑adult persons served and cultivates a warm, welcoming environment in coordinating and facilitating events, services, and treatment programs.
• Attends Youth Peer Support Specialist Certification training as well as other work‑related workshops, seminars, and SCCMHA training in consultation with the direct supervisor.
• Participates in activities and serves as a representative of SCCMHA.
• Works closely with case managers and other agency staff to ensure services are provided according to agency policy and the person‑centered plan.
• Participates in required trainings as identified by the supervisor.
• Completes documentation of all job tasks according to agency policy utilizing an electronic medical record.
• Assists persons served in carrying out tasks related to their person‑centered plan, including pre‑planning, plan development and implementation, assistance with keeping appointments, refilling prescriptions, and transportation as needed.
• Participates in approved staff development activities, in‑services, and supervisory sessions.
• Participates in staff meetings to receive current information, guidance, and direction and to represent the voice of persons served and the belief in recovery.
• Advocates on behalf of youth and young adults.
• Meets expectations for units/hours of service as established by the organization.
• Participates in the planning for and implementation of evidence‑based practices.
• Adheres to the mission, vision, core values, and operating principles of SCCMHA at all times.

Incidental Duties and Responsibilities

• May represent SCCMHA on internal/external committees or workgroups to enhance service delivery, development, and quality of care.
• Performs various administrative/clerical functions such as preparing travel vouchers, making copies of documents, filing, etc.
• Reacts productively to change.
• Accepts other responsibilities and duties required by the supervisor, consistent with agency goals and objectives.
• Uses 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.

Reporting Relationships

• Reports to: Mental Health Supervisor (Self Determination & Transition Services)
• Supervises: None

Working Conditions / Environment

• Works in an office environment with pressures dealing with time constraints.
• Frequently drives automobile in all kinds of weather conditions.
• May counsel individuals who may become potentially violent.
• May work in shared office space.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent with the ability to read and understand written plans of service and, clearly and concisely, document contacts. Associates degree preferred.

Experience

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.

Licenses and Credentials

• Valid Michigan driver’s license with good driving record.
• Must have or attain within six (6) months of hire certification through Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) as a Certified Youth Peer Support Specialist (CYPSS).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• A belief that youth and young adults with serious emotional challenges can live productive/independent lives.
• Willingness to share 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.
• Safe driving habits and a valid Michigan driver’s license.
• Computer skills necessary to document persons served contacts.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and maintain a flexible work schedule 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.
• Working knowledge of community resources.
• Functional competency in reading, writing, and math skills.

Physical / Mental Requirements

• Hearing acuity to converse in person and on telephone.
• Visual acuity to observe persons served’s behavior, read and proofread documents, and use CRT.
• Ability to walk, stand, or sit for extended periods of time.
• Manual dexterity to write and 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.