Responsibilities:

• Become well versed and fully trained on providing and billing for HCBS service eligible/enrolled program participants.

• Maintains regular meaningful contact with clients.

• Educates clients on useful health & wellness topics, including but not limited to:

• Peer/Self-help Resources

• Recovery from Mental Health Challenges (from a Psychiatric Rehabilitation perspective)

• Wellness & Whole Health (SAMHSA’s Eight Dimensions of Wellness)

• Community Resources (across all domains of health, e.g.: physical, mental, substance use, socio-economic determinants of health)

• Trauma & Healing

• Wellness Planning & Prevention (e.g. WRAP)

• Natural Supports (developing/maintaining).

• Helps clients to identify barriers to their recovery journeys or personal wellness, including issues related to access, quality of care, people’s rights, lack of basic needs, and stigma & discrimination

• Advocates for client’s side-by-side to overcome identified barriers, making sure their voices are heard, and their decisions are understood and respected.

• Builds peer-to-peer connections/relationships based on mutuality (shared lived experiences), empathy, and hope for recovery/wellness (peers-as-proof).

• Provides peer support, sharing stories, personal feelings, information, and strategies for living well.

• Coaches clients to identify & accomplish whole health goals related to the Eight Dimensions of Wellness (emotional, social, physical, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, spiritual)

• Directly connects people to the services and supports they need through direct bridging/linking (as opposed to referrals only)

• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with other provider agencies, and local housing providers (landlords) within the county and its surrounding environs

• Documents all meaningful interactions in electronic records software and maintain hard copies in clients’ files

• Submits fully completed monthly reports on time. 

• Regularly attend related meetings, including Reach One Regional Meetings

• Consistently support PEOPLe, USA.’s mission to instill a sense of hope, empowerment, and self-determination in people living with mental illness that fosters recovery and a transition to wellness.

• Align all behaviors with core values that promote trauma-informed care, customer engagement and satisfaction, mutuality & empathy, and a philosophical commitment that everyone can and will recover.

• Staff must document their time in Timeco effectively. Staff can not work over their positions allotted hours without Supervisor approval.

• Provide direct contact, outreach, curriculum development, group facilitation, counseling, mentoring, systems navigation, community oversight and crisis support as needed to individuals with psychiatric diagnoses.

• Deliver peer support locally at libraries, coffee shops, community centers, traditional service environments, shelters, jails, street outreach locations such as bridges and tunnels, at home, etc.

• Assist individuals with finding educational opportunities, employment, social activities and home health integration of services.

• Advocate for each person by understanding who the person is now, his/her life experiences, and his/her goals for the future. Interview those individuals who are of primary importance to the potential participant.

• Work with participants toward their recovery goals, both individually and in group settings in various locations/environments.

• Must be cognizant of all relevant employment, educational, housing, entitlement and social supports in the community and proactively facilitate connections to these services with participants as needed.

• Providing Care Management outreach and engagement with eligible individuals in coordination with the Institute of Family Health
• INDIVIDUAL ADVOCACY: take action to represent the rights and interests of individuals living with mental illness or trauma by removing barriers to their recovery and wellness

• PEER SUPPORT: conduct peer support sessions (one-to-one, groups) that promote possibilities for positive change, and ultimately help individuals to feel better. Learning materials will be provided if and when needed.

• SYSTEMS NAVIGATION: directly support, assist, and guide individuals as they access various resources in the community related to their health, wellness & overall quality of life

• Data Entry into BTQ, MAPPS & Institute Link: Creating whole health and wellness individualized Care Plans with each individual receiving this service.

• WHOLE HEALTH & WELLNESS NEEDS ASSESSMENTS & INTEGRATION STRATEGIES: Assess client’s needs, educating them on all community-based resources to help with needs (from a menu of internal & external services & supports), directly linking them to those resources, and working to ensure that they have quality, integrated care

• CARE MANAGEMENT SERVICES: Questions about health care, managing stress, making & remembering appointments, medications, food, transportation, housing, health insurance, other services as needed

• OFFICE DUTIES: Maintain timely and accurate documentation, files, and databases; compile and submit program statistics and reports; and attend weekly supervisory meetings. Staff will also participate in mandatory professional development and training. May include other duties as they arise.

REQUIREMENTS:

• This position requires a thorough understanding of the process and the possibility of robust recovery for people diagnosed with psychiatric disabilities. People with personal experience as a recipient of mental health services and/or of personal recovery are encouraged to apply.

• Honesty, respect for diversity, high personal standards, professional language and behaviors reflecting such values and the Independent Living philosophy.

• Knowledge of ADA, mental health laws and systems, Social Security Programs, Work Incentives, Entitlement Programs, supported employment, Federal/state/local services, laws, and systems related to individuals with disabilities.

• High School Diploma or Equivalent is required.

• Ability to obtain the NY State Peer Specialist Certification.

• Must have demonstrated knowledge of histories, patterns, and issues contributing to Mental Health and Substance Abuse recidivism.

• Demonstrated ability to recognize the need for and facilitate connections between consumers and services.

• Knowledge of local, statewide and national disability-related issues and community dynamics.

• Excellent written and verbal presentation skills.

• Must be able to work evenings and weekend hours.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• This position requires a thorough understanding of the process and the possibility of robust recovery for people diagnosed with psychiatric disabilities. People with personal experience as a recipient of mental health services and/or of personal recovery are encouraged to apply.

• Honesty, respect for diversity, high personal standards, professional language and behaviors reflecting such values and the Independent Living philosophy.

• Knowledge of ADA, mental health laws and systems, Social Security Programs, Work Incentives, Entitlement Programs, supported employment, Federal/state/local services, laws, and systems related to individuals with disabilities.

• Education: 1. Bachelor's Degree in any of the following: Child and Family studies,community mental health, counseling, education, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, recreation, recreational therapy, rehabilitation, social work, sociolory, or speech and hearing; OR 2. NYS licensure and current registration as a Registered Nurse and a bachelor’s degree; OR 3.A Bachelor’s level education or higher in any field with five years of experience working directly with persons with behavioral health diagnoses; OR 4. A Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC).

• Experience: 1, Two years’ experience (a masters degree in a related field may substitute for up to one year of experience) either: a. Providing direct services to people with mental illness, developmental disabilities, alcohol or substance abuse; OR b. Linking persons who have serious mental illness, developmental disabilities, alcohol or substance abuse to a broad range of services essential to successfully living in a community setting.

• High School Diploma or Equivalent is required.

• Ability to obtain the NY State Peer Specialist Certification.

• Excellent written and verbal presentation skills.

• Travel is required for this position.

• Candidates who have been recipients of mental health services and have personally navigated the mental health system.

• Completion of the Academy of Peer Services Training or the ability to complete within 6 months of hire.

• A minimum of 2 years of experience working with individuals with mental health diagnoses.

• Advocacy experience of two or more years preferred.

• Bilingual (Spanish/English) capabilities a plus.

• Knowledge of ASL also desirable.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.