LYFE- Certified Peer Specialist

Position Summary: Provides peer support to youth and young adults who are being served by the LYFE program and experiencing suicidality and/or self-harming needs and/or high acuity mental health needs, resulting in potential placement disruptions, hospitalizations, and/or frequent ER visits. The Peer Specialist is a crucial position on the LYFE team and is responsible for providing support, education and mentoring to youth/young adults enrolled in the program, reinforcing the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) model to support participants in utilizing skills learned. The role of the Certified Peer Specialist is that of a coach or mentor who through his or her lived recovery experience, can provide guidance and role modeling to promote wellness, purpose in life, develop relationships, and the insight necessary to move forward in life and recovery.

Essential Functions:

• Provide one to one peer support to youth and young adult in the community experiencing acute mental health needs.
• Role model recovery in all interactions and utilize lived experience to engage youth/young adults in LYFE.
• Use lived experience of recovery to support and engage youth and young adults in care and services.
• From a recovery perspective provide a strength-based review of the youth/young adult's abilities and strengths.
• Collaborate closely with LYFE team to ensure the needs of the youth/young adults being served are met.
• Support youth/young adult engage in mental health services by accompanying at appointments and community activities.
• Listen to youth/young adults and role model positive communication skills.
• Advocate for the youth/young adult to ensure life needs are being met.
• Actively participate in the development and implementation of the Plan of Care and Crisis Plan.
• Connect youth/young adults to resources in the community based on interests to meet identified needs.
• Complete all necessary paperwork in a strength-based manner per Wraparound Milwaukee/Agency requirements.
• Attend and actively participate in LYFE staffing and clinical consultation with agency Mental Health Professional/Clinician and Wraparound Milwaukee staff.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attend in-services and participate in staffing, weekly and monthly meetings and consultations.
• Assist with coverage for co-workers as needed.
• Other job-related duties as may be necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Working knowledge of positive youth/young adult development; patience and understanding of challenging life needs; knowledge related to mental health and co-occurring needs, the ability to interact with youth, young adults, and caregivers in a calm and professional manner; ability to follow oral and written instructions and cues; ability to remain calm and respond appropriately in crisis situations; computer skills; accurate documentation; ability to meet deadlines; sensitivity towards cultural, ethic and life needs.

Minimal Qualifications and Salary Schedule:

High school or GED/HSED required; graduate of state Certified Peer Specialist training; possess current Certified Peer Specialist certification; no convictions that would fail a caregiver background check; good written and verbal communication skills. Complete 20-40 hours of CCS (DHS 36) training and mandatory training in Wraparound philosophy and policies. Ability to display cultural competence by responding respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth of each individual. Knowledge and skills to work with children, young adults and families. Personal experience with mental health, substance use and co-occurring needs and knowledge of recovery principles. Valid driver's license, automobile, and sufficient insurance to meet agency requirements is preferred.

Work Relationship and Scope:

Reports directly to LYFE Clinician/Supervisor. Has contact with a wide variety of individuals including youth/young adults and family members, other program staff, including consulting Psychologist/Psychiatrist, and other collateral contacts, neighbors, funders, Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services, Children, Youth, and Family Services(CYFS), Children's Court officials, Division of Milwaukee Child Protective Services(DMCPS), MPS staff and administrators, staff of youth serving agencies and the general public.

Personal Attributes:

Follow agency Code of Conduct; adhere to established policies and procedures of the agency and of all funding sources; conduct self in an ethical manner; maintain professional and respectful relationships with program staff, other WCS staff, people being served by WCS, and all external persons and agencies involved with service provision; sensitivity toward cultural, ethnic and disability needs; demonstrate commitment to agency values and mission. Demonstrates a strength based, person centered, trauma informed, and culturally intelligent approach to serving people with mental health and co-occurring needs. Focused on embracing recovery in all interactions and utilize lived experience to engage youth/young adults.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in a busy office environment and in the community serving children, young adults and families. Some of the work is done sitting at desk using a computer; requires significant outreach in the community and families' homes; much of the outreach is done in urban neighborhoods and several hours per day may be spent driving; hours average 40 per week; flexible work schedule include some hours outside the normal work schedule on evenings and weekends.

Physical Demands:

Position is mobile with time spent in the community, including home visits and time spent in the office; driving throughout Milwaukee County; must be able to go up and down stairs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.