Certified Peer Specialist (Cps)

Pathways Center's mental health adult day services includes both Peer Support and Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR-G).  Both services are designed to help adult persons with psychiatric disabilities/disorders or other behavioral health needs to optimize their personal, social, and vocational competency in order to live successfully in the community.  Participation is determined by the needs of the person served and the person served is an active partner in all aspects of programming.  The programs are designed for persons age eighteen years and older and who have severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) and/or co-occurring disabilities. The program provides structured activities within a MH Peer Support and/or PSR-G program that promotes socialization, recovery, wellness, self-advocacy, development of natural supports, and maintenance of community living skills.

The Certified Peer Specialistprovides direct care in a group setting.  Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

       Development and implementation of structured groups and community outings

       Develops daily lesson plans to teach socialization, problem solving and coping skills; Illness and medication self-management; prevocational skills and self advocacy; and recreational activities/leisure skills that improve self-esteem and recovery

       Facilitates peers support group discussions/sessions

       Documents within required time frames to reflect interventions and the consumers progress toward his/her goals; Treatment plan development

       Participates in team staff meetings; co-ordination of services within the agency

       Implement WRAP and/or IMR practices, as applicable.

       Maintains credentials in good standing to ensure continued program integrity.

       Actively engages internal and external stakeholders to recruit new referrals.

       Transports clients as needed to and from the program

       Leads recreational and leisure activities that improve self-esteem and recovery

       Attends clinical supervision and professional development opportunities as applicable

Certified Peer Specialists work from the perspective of their lived experience to help build environments conducive to recovery. They promote hope, personal responsibility, empowerment, education, and self-determination in the communities where they serve.  CPSs are trained to assist others in skill-building, problem-solving, setting up and maintaining self-help mutual support groups, and building self-directed recovery tools. A critical role of the CPS is supporting others in developing their recovery goals, and specific steps to reach those goals.