What are the responsibilities and job description for the Youth Peer Support Specialist position at ASK Family Services?
JOB TITLE Youth Peer Support Specialist
TIME/HOURS Full-time (40 hours a week)
FLSA STATUS Non-Exempt
WAGES/SALARY $17.00
BENEFITS Eligible
SUPERVISOR Youth Services Manager
PROBATIONARY PERIOD 3 months
ABOUT US: ASK Family Services (ASK) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families with youth with mental health or developmental challenges. We use our lived experience to help them to understand and navigate community services and systems, and empower them to use their voice effectively to achieve their goals.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Youth Peer Support Specialist (YPSS) will provide support and resources to youth/young adults with serious emotional disturbances (SED) and/or serious mental illness (SMI) who are receiving services in our local behavioral health system. The YPSS will act as a key member of the treatment team by working collaboratively with systems the youth/young adult is involved in and providing individual support to help them develop skills to improve their functioning and quality of life. This can include self-advocacy, problem-solving, relationship-building, and overall life skills
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
1. Attend all required training to enhance skills and meet agency guidelines as required by the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), and other agencies governing the operation of the agency.
2. Provide community education about youth/young adult culture and perspective
3. Actively engage as a member of the treatment team to meet youth and/or young adult needs, and complete all required documentation and paperwork in the required timeframe.
4. Help the youth/young adult prepare to participate fully in their meetings such as the treatment planning process (including Wraparound, Family Centered Planning meetings (IPOS), school meetings, etc. . .)
5. Model self-advocacy, problem-solving, and independent living skills.
6. Validate and normalize experiences and empower youth/young adults to find and use their voice effectively during “rough” or “crisis” times.
7. Interrupt bias and promote a stance of acceptance while reducing stigma about mental health.
8. In collaboration with the youth and/or young adult, work with other internal and external partners (i.e. schools, faith community, other human services organizations) to develop natural supports to eliminate barriers to services, enhance existing community services or develop new services based on their needs.
9. Serve as a role model and active participant in supporting youth/young adults in meeting their treatment plan goals. Meet them where they are to help them feel empowered, supported, and validated in their treatment.
10. Support youth/young adult in feeling empowered to drive their treatment.
11. Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Must be a young adult between 18-28 years of age.
2. Willing and able to self-identify as a person who has or is receiving mental health services as a youth and has lived experience, and will share their personal story to help youth and young adults.
3. Experience receiving services as a youth in complex, child-serving systems (behavioral health, child welfare, juvenile justice, special education, foster care, etc. . .).
4. High School Diploma/GED.
5. Must be eligible and complete the required training in the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) approved curriculum and ongoing training model through the Association of Children’s Mental Health (ACMH).
6. Have effective oral and written communication skills, time management, and organizational skills.
7. Ability to work successfully with a diverse group of individuals, families, youth, and community agencies.
8. Ability to work flexible hours including some evening/weekend availability and overnight travel.
9. Valid driver’s license and a reliable insured vehicle to perform job activities.
APPLY:
1. Cover letter detailing your lived experience MUST be included to be considered.
2. Resume
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $17.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Evenings as needed
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed
Ability to Commute:
- Kalamazoo, MI 49007 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Kalamazoo, MI 49007: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $17