Organization: People USA – Non-Profit Peer Run Behavorial, Mental Health, Recovery, and Wellness Organization
Position: Certified Peer Recovery Advocate / Certified Peer Specialist
Location: White Plains, NY
Payrate: $24.04 per hour / 15 Hours per Week
Job Summary: The Certified Peer Recovery Advocate will assist individuals referred to the program to avoid or prevent incarceration by connecting or reconnecting such individuals to mental health treatment services and other appropriate levels of care in the community. The Crisis Stabilization Team program partners with individuals experiencing mental health or co-occurring disorders and at risk of incarceration. Connecting such individuals to the appropriate services that promote their wellness, recovery, and stability in the community to prevent incarceration. Participants of the program are often better served when they are treated with respect, provided with support and encouragement along their road to recovery. Services are provided to the participant in a person-centered and trauma informed manner. Individuals are empowered and accorded the opportunity to have access to appropriate levels of care or services where they feel comfortable and safe. The outcome is often positive when the foundation of partnership is established. The CST program receives and works with nonviolent felony cases referred to by the local courts.
Job Responsibilities:
- Maintain regular meaningful contact with participants (amount determined by level of need)
- Accompany individuals to court appearances and collaborate with law enforcement and judicial system
- Educate participants on useful health & wellness topics
- Educate on Peer support and provide Self-help Resources
- Assess and address Wellness & Whole Health (SAMHSA’s Eight Dimensions of Wellness) recovery with the participant
- Provide direct linkages to Community Resources (across all domains of health, e.g.: physical, mental, substance use, socio-economic determinants of health)
- Work collaboratively with other team members
- Complete intake and assessments of participants
- Help individuals 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.
- Advocate for participants side-by-side to overcome identified barriers, making sure their voices are heard, and their decisions are understood and respected.
- Build peer-to-peer connections/relationships based on mutuality (shared lived experiences), empathy, and hope for recovery/wellness (peers-as-proof).
- Directly connects people to the services and supports they need through direct bridging/linking (as opposed to referrals only)
- Develops and maintain positive working relationships with other provider agencies, DCMH, judicial, law enforcement and forensic systems
- Complete timely documentation of all encounters within electronic health system and spreadsheet trackers
- Submit fully completed monthly reports on time.
- Regularly attend and actively participate in meetings
- Consistently support PEOPLe, USA.’s mission to instill a sense of hope, empowerment, and self-determination in people living with mental health concerns 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.
- Provide direct contact, outreach, and crisis support as needed
- 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.
- Work with participants toward their recovery goals and provide tools and resources to be successful in their recovery
- Must be cognizant of all relevant employment, educational, housing, entitlement and social support in the community and proactively facilitate connection to these services with participants as needed.
- Plan regular follow-ups to assess progress and additional needs
- Review and modify plans as circumstances change for the individual
Job 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 individuals and services.
- Knowledge of local, statewide, and national recovery related issues and community dynamics
- Demonstrated written and verbal skills.
Job Qualifications:
- Seeking candidates who have been recipients of mental health services and have personally navigated the mental health system.
- Peer certification not required upon employment but must be obtained within 6 months of hire
- Minimum of 2 years of experience working with individuals with mental health diagnoses. Advocacy of two or more years preferred.
Reports to Site Director for Westchester CST – Christopher Rivera
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement People USA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. People USA complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. People USA. expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of People USAs employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.
