Youth Peer Support Specialist

Youth Peer Support Specialist

Under the general supervision of DWIHN Administrators, the Youth Peer Support Specialist provides support and recovery training to individuals receiving services. The Youth Peer Support Specialist assists in implementing/creating a recovery environment and acts as an advocate for the needs and rights of every individual. A Youth Peer Support Specialist facilitates individual's care by building relationships and meeting with the individuals receiving services, their guardians, families, support systems, and other key persons in the individual's life.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILIES:

• Provide a variety of youth peer support services and direct interventions with those seeking support.
• Act as a support and resource for youth with serious emotional disturbances (SED) who are receiving services in the behavioral health system.
• Act as a key member of the treatment team by working with youth one on one or in a group.
• Support youth empowerment by assisting youth in skill development in order to improve their overall functioning and quality of life.
• Provide skilled interventions as part of the treatment plan.
• Prepare the youth in treatment to fully participate in their own meetings and treatment planning process utilizing a family driven/youth guided approach.
• Engages youth in a partnership and assists in identifying participant's hopes and dreams and the solutions they are seeking.
• Teach recovery and life skills using recovery tools.
• Shares relevant personal experiences related to the individual's goals for the benefit of individuals treatment and progress.
• Model hope, personal responsibility and self-advocacy to demonstrate how recovery goals can be respectfully met and how a belief in self is maintained.
• Create a welcoming and supportive environment for an individual's recovery.
• Assist in developing natural supports and community living.
• Orientate the youth to the agency, assisting in completing initial paperwork, explaining eligibility, DWIHN services, treatment options, and linking to available benefits;
• Coordinate with the youth's clinical team and other supports to arrange services or resources to help the individual achieve their goals.
• Conduct follow up calls, attends meetings and interacts with clients and their families after initial contact.
• Complete clinical documentation as required.
• Understand and adheres to DWIHN compliance standards as they appear in the Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policies.
• Ensure implementation, quality and coordination of services.
• Establish and maintains appropriate working relationships with individual staff,outside agencies and vendors.
• Performadditionaloutreach activities in the community as needed.
• Performs other related duties assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA'S)

• Knowledge of DWIHN policies, procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of the DWIHN provider network and community resources.
• Knowledge of MDHHS policies, rules, regulations and procedures.
• Knowledge of Federal policies, rules, regulations and procedures as it relates to DWIHN.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with HIPAA security standards to ensure the privacy of people served.
• Knowledge of behavioral health and mental health principles and practices.
• Knowledge of Peer Support principles and practices.

• Knowledge of Suicide Prevention, Resilience and Crisis Intervention.
• Assessment skills.
• Evaluation skills.
• Organizational skills.
• Communication skills.
• Active Listening skills.
• Computer skills (Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, Outlook, Teams).
• Teamwork Skills.
• Ability to communicate orally.
• Ability to communicate in writing.
• Ability to work effectively with others.
• Ability to work with an ethnically, linguistically, culturally, economically and socially diverse population.
• Judgement/Reasoning ability.

REQUIRED EDUCATION:

Highschool diploma or a G.E.D.

Must be eligible and able to be trained in MDHHS approved curriculum and on-going training model

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:

A young adult, ages 18 through age 26, with lived experience with mental illness/substance use disorders, who received mental health services from a Community Mental Health Agency as a youth.

REQUIRED LICENSE(S).

A valid State of Michigan Driver's License with a safe and acceptable driving record.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

If not already certified, must obtain Youth Peer Support Specialist certification within 18 months of hire through the successful completion of the Youth Peer Employment Training through the State of Michigan.

This description is not intended to be a complete statement of job content, rather to act as a general description of the essential functions performed. Management retains the discretion to add or change the position at any time.

Please Note: DWIHN requires proof of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions that may be required by law, will be approved when properly supported. Further information will be provided during the recruitment process.

The Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer