Early Intervention Peer Specialist

Join Our Team as a Early Intervention Peer Specialist and help make a difference in the lives of children, youth, and families!

Are you passionate about supporting the healthy development of children, youth, and families for a brighter future?
Look no further! At Northern Children’s Services (Northern), every role in the organization contributes to helping us achieve our mission and vision.
We believe that every child and youth has the potential to transform themselves – no matter their background or life situation.
We work to “walk the talk” when it comes to our organizational values: Excellence, Respect, Resilience, Cultural Humility & Justice, Healing, and Wellness.

Why Choose Us? As a Early Intervention Peer Specialist, you’ll embark on a fulfilling journey.

Leadership Opportunity
Supportive Environment
Empowerment and Progress
Effective Communication
Empowerment Through Planning
Continuous Monitoring and Progress
Documentation Excellence
Networking and Collaboration

Top Work Place Certified 2024 For more information, visit our company page https://northernchildren.org/ 

Benefits:

• We offer comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for full-time employees.
• Life Insurance/AD&D and LTD: We provide full-time employees with a $20,000 life insurance policy through Mutual of Omaha Company at no cost. Additionally, Mutual of Omaha LTD coverage and AD&D insurance offer financial security to our employees and their families.
• Our partner insurance company offers a range of self-funded insurance plans, including accident insurance, cancer insurance, life insurance, critical illness coverage, and short-term disability insurance, providing additional financial protection to our employees.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: We offer a 401(k)-savings plan with a generous matching contribution after one year of employment.
• Paid Leave: Employees have access to generous paid time off or sick leave, allowing them to prioritize their health and well-being.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Our EAP offers confidential referral and counseling services to help employees and their families manage life's challenges, including stress management, legal and financial concerns, depression, and substance abuse.
• Legal Services: Self-funded legal services provide valuable support and resources for various legal matters.

Qualifications You Bring:

• Expertise
• Physical Capabilities
• Trauma-Informed Approach
• At Northern Children’s Services, Inc., we value diversity, inclusion, and the well-being of every individual. Join us in our mission to empower children and families, one meaningful interaction at a time. Apply today and be a part of something truly extraordinary!

Northern Children's Services supports the healthy development of children and youth, while stabilizing their families to build stronger communities. Everything we do at Northern Children's Services is designed to create a better future for our families.

I. Position Overview: The Early Intervention Specialist will play a crucial role in the Department of the Early Substance Use Early Intervention Program by developing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive, evidence-based primary prevention curriculum aimed at reducing the incidence of substance use and improving mental health outcomes within the community. This position will specifically support students in partnership schools and community programs, focusing on youth, teens, and young adults.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Curriculum Development and Implementation:
 Design and execute a robust, evidence-based primary prevention curriculum that addresses substance use and mental health issues.
• Tailor programs to meet the diverse needs of students, particularly those who are historically underrepresented or marginalized, including students of color, first-generation students, and LGBTQ youth.
2. Program Evaluation:
• Assess the effectiveness of implemented programs through data collection and analysis.
• Regularly evaluate and adapt curricula based on feedback and changing community and client’s needs.
3. Relationship Building:
• Establish and maintain strong, trusting relationships with students, school staff, and community partners.
• Engage in outreach efforts to foster connections between the program and the community, emphasizing cultural relevance and mental health.

4. Direct Programming and Support:
• Conduct psychoeducational group and/or individual sessions that include life and coping skills training, addressing the social and emotional needs of participants.
• Provide individual and group coaching to students empowering them to understand and fulfill their personal health within the community.

5. Collaboration with External Partners:
• Work collaboratively with Early Intervention staff Supervisor and external partners to manage program operations effectively.
• Facilitate meetings with school staff, case managers, and counselors to coordinate support services for students.
6. Service Coordination:
• Develop and manage individualized service plans for students, ensuring that their needs are met across various programs and services.
• Make referrals to identified outside mental health and support services and maintain relationships with service partners, tracking progress to ensure comprehensive support.

7. Data Management and Reporting:
• Track and report on student progress and program outcomes to stakeholders.
• Utilize data to assist with informing program improvements and demonstrate impact to funders and community partners.

II. The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

Communication

• Support youth /families in their initial and continuing engagement with IBHS& Early intervention Program and related activities.
• Engage with youth and families, providing empathetic listening and emotional support.
• Provide youth/families with information about child‐serving systems (i.e., children’s behavioral health) and other community resources and supports.
•  Offer peer support and share perspectives with youth affected by violence and mental health challenges.
•  Empower youth to understand their role as members of the treatment team.
• Provide support and coaching to families and youth during group sessions and other meetings, gatherings, and events

Implementation
• Coordinating with cross-disciplined team members to make sure that all parties are on track with project requirements, deadlines, and schedules.
• Model collaboration between families, communities, and systems.
• Encourage self‐care activities.
• Ability to learn and follow the curriculum for the Department of Drug and Alcohol Program (DDAP).
• Ability to provide group and individual sessions to clients according to the curriculum in multiple arenas, including schools, outpatient, Wellness & Resiliency programs, Incarcerated youth, Community programs, and the Residential program at NCS (Northern Children Services).
• Ability to provide group therapy sessions to clients according to the curriculum.
Documentation
• Complete services documentation weekly.
• Accurately complete documents to ensure continuity of service.
• Complete Group and individual reports on WITZ and Credible

Planning
• Attending mandatory in-service training.
• Participate in Performance Improvement Activities.
• Develop and implement service coordination plan in conjunction with the treatment team.
• Advertise and promote the EI (Early Intervention) programs.
• Ensure that project goals and milestones are met and adhering to approved.
• Submitting project deliverables and ensuring that they adhere to quality standards.
• Assist in preparing status reports by gathering, analyzing, and summarizing relevant information.
• Establishing effective project communication plans and ensuring their execution

Monitoring
• Maintain coordination through interagency meetings conducted as required by funding source.
• Work with youth to assess and reassess their service needs.

Networking
• Connect community members to the support needed to help people heal from trauma and give them the resources needed to seek more in-depth care if needed.
• Identify, visit, and develop relationships with community resources (e.g., after school programs, career education, mentoring programs, etc.).
• Represent agency at conferences, training, fairs, and interagency meetings.
• Assists with active recruitment of potential students from the schools and community when appropriate.

Performs Other Duties as Assigned

III. BASIC SKILL SETS

A. Proven experience in project management.
B. An initiative-taker with community connections and experience engaging community members.
C. Comfortable talking with individuals on the phone and in person.
D. Flexible, patient and calm; willing to learn.
E. Demonstrated problem-solving and workflow management skills.
F. Strategic and creative thinker who can transform ideas into action.
G. Effective communicator with the ability to expand the agency’s visibility, influence, and impact.
H. Comfortable speaking in front of others.
I. Skilled at recognizing and creating opportunities and leveraging resources.
J. Strong management, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
K. Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact in a positive manner.
L. Ability to communicate and interact with all team members.
M. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
N. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from varied groups, including the media.
O. Ability to accurately calculate numbers such as in addition, subtraction, and percentages.
P. Ability to give clear and concise oral and written instructions.
Q. Excellent working knowledge of the Philadelphia Community Behavioral Health system. Knowledge of and ability to navigate other systems.
R. Ability to read and understand complex instructions such as regulatory policies.
S. Strong computer and pertinent software programs proficiency.

IV: QUALIFICATIONS

A. Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in a human services field preferred and or a master’s degree is required for this position
B. Two years case management or counseling experience with children and families
C. Special Skills: Familiar with multiple child-serving systems (e.g., education, juvenile justice, child welfare, mental health, drug, alcohol, and vocational).
D. Driver’s license with comfort driving to various location.
E. Proven experience in project management.
F. Ability to lead projects of various sizes and see them through to completion.
G. Strong understanding of formal project management methodologies.
H. Able to complete projects in a timely manner.

V. PHYSICAL CAPABILITIES AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Physical Capabilities:
• Ability to engage in prolonged periods of standing, walking, and sitting as required during program activities and group/individual sessions.
• Capacity to lift and carry materials (which include art supplies, textbooks, snacks, or tablet equipment) weighing up to 20 pounds for program-related tasks.
• Operate computers, calculator, audiovisual equipment, and other technology essential for delivering educational content and conducting assessments.
• Capability to facilitate group and Individual activities and engage with students in various physical settings, including classrooms, community centers, and outdoor environments.

Work Environment:
• Current valid driver's license. This position requires travel throughout the City of Philadelphia.
• Work is primarily conducted in a variety of settings, including schools, community centers, and other outreach locations within the Philadelphia area.
• The role may require occasional travel between sites to collaborate with partners and attend meetings in person or via zoom.
• The work environment is often fast paced, requiring adaptability and effective time management to meet the needs of students and stakeholders.
• Interaction with diverse populations, including youth, families, and community stakeholders, will be a regular aspect of the role, requiring cultural competence and sensitivity.
• May involve exposure to emotionally charged situations, requiring the ability to maintain professionalism and composure in challenging circumstances.
• Requires flexible work schedule, some evening and weekend hours.

Northern’s Trauma-informed Principles

A trauma-informed approach recognizes that past experiences, including trauma, can significantly impact a person’s behavior, emotions, and interactions. Therefore, we strive to:

• Use emotional intelligence: Respond with empathy and awareness, even in difficult situations.
• Communicate effectively: Listen actively, ask clarifying questions, and avoid judgmental language.
• Understand trauma’s impact: Be aware that clients or colleagues may react based on past experiences, not just the present moment.
• Apply person-first, strengths-based language: Focus on people’s strengths and abilities rather than defining them by their challenges (e.g., saying "a person experiencing homelessness" instead of "a homeless person").

By adhering to these principles, we ensure that our workplace is not only effective but also compassionate and inclusive for everyone.

Northern Children Services is committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) in the workplace. 

Americans with Disabilities: As with all positions at Northern Children’s Services, Inc. we recognize the importance of accommodations individuals with disabilities. In that, we are committed to every extent possible accommodating disabled individual. We recognize the American with Disabilities Act of 1991 and understand the need to reasonably accommodate employees. All accommodation will be evaluated on a case- by case basis, evaluating the essential functions of the positions.

DISCRIMINATION IS PROHIBITED IN EMPLOYMENT, PROMOTION, ASSIGNMENT OR DISMISSAL, ON THE BASIS OF RACE, RELIGION, COLOR, AGE, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, and HANDICAP, OR RECEIPT OF SERVICES FOR MENTAL DISABILITY.

Salary : $20,000