School At Risk Youth Peer Support Specialist

TITLE:  School At Risk Youth Peer Support Specialist working full-time, 40 hours per week, 12 months a year. This position will work out of the Heartland South Sioux City office serving the South Sioux City, NE schools.    

MAIN FUNCTION:  The School At Risk Youth Peer Support Specialist will be an individual who has had direct experience with mental health services and will utilize those experiences to collaborate with, coach, and challenge individuals to view their life situations as an opportunity for growth and change within each individual’s recovery.  The School At Risk Youth Peer Support Specialist will aid mental health providers and youth to move toward self-advocacy in the attainment of their own, culturally specific life goals.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

·         Meet with students on the caseload on a regular basis to develop connections to school.

·         Assist students on the caseload in determining their post-secondary plan and necessary                steps to bring the plan to fruition.

·         Monitor attendance and graduation progress of students on the caseload.

·         Connect students on the caseload to resources (in and out of the school/district) -                          academic, social/emotional, financial, etc.

·         Provide transportation to school for the students on the caseload on occasion.

·         Work closely with school based therapists to coordinate and enroll students in mental                    health services.

·         Meet with parents to complete documentation needed to establish mental health services              for students.

·         Facilitate small groups each week in the school setting.

·         Interact, build rapport, and connect with youth by sharing common experiences and                        modeling resiliency and recovery.

·         Support youth involved with DHHS, the justice system, education system, youth, and family            services.

·         Assist youth in understanding components of recovery and resiliency and in applying skills            to achieve life goals.

·         Provide individualized direct support to peers according to that person’s plan by                              supporting the individual’s choice and building confidence, leading to a greater degree of              independence.

·         Work cooperatively and effectively with individuals and groups from diverse populations.

·         Attend youth case meetings (when asked), other meetings as appropriate/assigned.

·         Locate available resources, trainings, or skill-building opportunities that will help an                        individual young person to achieve his/her goals.

·         Serve as a resource for youth served during scheduled appointments or designated drop-              in hours.

·         Travel is required.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

·         Participate in all required trainings; expected certification training within one-year of                      employment.

·         Communicate promptly and in advance – e.g., notify supervisor of                                                      schedule/changes/cannot attend a schedule meeting.

·         Report any concerns that arise when working with youth as specified in mandated                          reporting training.

·         Be able to model and maintain healthy boundaries with youth in order to promote                            accountability and independence while consistently offering support.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

·         The School At Risk Youth Peer Support Specialist will have a minimum of an AA Degree.

·         Identification as having direct experience with mental health and/or substance use                          services past or present and be able to bring this experience to ensure services, supports,            and goals are driven by the youth.

·         State of Nebraska Peer Support Specialist Certification preferred, must become certified                within one-year of employment.

·         Pass criminal and transportation background checks, valid driver’s license.

·         Bilingual in Somali, Oromo, or Swahili and English preferred.

BENEFITS:

2-3 weeks paid vacation per year.

12 paid sick days per year.

2 paid personal days per year.

1 paid mental health day per year.

9 paid holidays per year.

3 paid training days per year.

Bereavement Leave.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

Paid life insurance policy.

Medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts.

Aflac.

Employee Assistance Program.

3% matching 401k retirement plan.

Flexible schedule.

Salary : $41,000 - $43,000