What are the responsibilities and job description for the Youth Peer Support Specialist position at The Guidance Center?
Description
As a recognized leader in our field, The Guidance Center provides a broad range of services that have helped children, adults and families unlock potential and build better lives since 1958. With 25 programs we offer treatment, prevention, growth and education services to more than 15,000 people annually. The Guidance Center is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming place for everyone. Creating a culture in which we embrace diversity, equity and inclusion and strive to dismantle oppression is critical to our mission to: Nurture development. Foster resilience. Cultivate well-being.
Youth Peer Support Specialists (Youth Peers) are responsible to deliver peer support services, consistent with existing Medicaid guidelines, to individual consumers or groups of consumers. Peers will promote and model recovery and assist consumers in developing skills necessary to access community resources, live more independently, improve their health and wellness, continue their education, and pursue opportunities for meaningful work in their communities.
Regular working hours are Monday through Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm. Due to the needs of the consumer and the program additional hours including evenings and weekends may also be required.
Specific Responsibilities include:
- Must attend 3-day certification training in Lansing, Michigan and participates in quarterly 1-day meetings in Lansing.
- Willingness and ability to self-identify as a person who has previously or is currently receiving public behavioral health services and is prepared to use that experience to help others.
- Actively participates as a member of the Youth in Transition Program team to meet transitional-aged youth’s needs. Attends case conferences, treatment planning sessions and meetings related to specific youth.
- Provides identification and coordination of services that assists the youth in attaining independence.
- Participates as co-therapist and co-facilitator in transition groups and psycho-educational offerings.
- May provide consultation and education to individuals, groups and families with the objective of assisting, teaching and modeling techniques to improve and maintain suitable levels of functioning.
- Assists youth in accessing entitlements including employment, vocational training and education, SSI/SSD, Medicaid, financial assistance, insurance, etc.
- Assists with the development of comprehensive and integrated Individualized Plans of Service with transitional-aged youth and other members of the treatment team.
- Delivers individual peer support services and evidenced-based practices in accordance with existing Medicaid guidelines to consumers to meet the needs and accomplish the goals documented in their Individualized Plans of Service.
- Requests and gathers input and feedback from consumers and their families regarding needed recovery-oriented activities.
- Maintains a flexible work schedule to meet the needs of children and youth.
- May assist with transporting consumers for appointments within the community;
- Performs within acceptable standards of productivity.
- Completes all documentation within expected timeframes.
- Responds in writing to routine chart reviews and audits.
- Completes 25 hours of program and/or position specific training on an annual basis.
- Adheres to the Peer Support Specialist Code of Ethics.
- Conducts themselves professionally as a representative of The Guidance Center.
- Abides by all Guidance Center policies and procedures.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
1. Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
2. Possession of a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record and have access to a vehicle on a daily basis to effectively execute the responsibilities of this position.
3. Must meet the requirement for MDHHS State youth Peer Support Specialist certification:
a. Age 18-26
b. Experience receiving mental health services as a youth
c. Additional experience receiving services in one additional system such as behavioral health, child welfare, juvenile justice, and/or special education.
d. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
e. Ability to effectively communicate with others.
f. Working knowledge of community resources.
g. Ability to set priorities and manage time effectively.
h. Ability to read, write and compute numbers.
i. Proficient with a computer, including working knowledge of Windows, Microsoft Word and Excel, Outlook, etc.
