Peer Specialist (Keys First)

General Description: The Peer Specialist is responsible for delivering supportive services to clients of the Keys First program by utilizing MCCH’s Harm Reduction Tool to identify and remove barriers to securing and maintaining permanent housing. Utilizing MCCH’s Harm Reduction tool, the Peer Specialist will identify clients who require additional supports and mentoring in order to reduce the number of emergency calls to law enforcement and for emergency behavioral health treatment. Additionally, the Peer Specialist will help clients create their own Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) in order to help navigate client wellness and recovery. The Peer Specialist will develop healthy relationships with clients and other staff while modeling appropriate and supportive coping skills. The Peer Specialist must have an understanding and respect of each individual’s path to recovery and will serve as a role model, mentor, advocate, and motivator.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

· Using MCCH’s Harm Reduction Assessment Tool to better understand the needs of each client and the supports necessary to reduce emergency calls to police and for emergency behavioral health treatment;

· Offering peer support to mentor individuals with substance use, mental health issues, and trauma often associated with homelessness;

· Helping to develop and promote life skills necessary to overcome many of the barriers and stigmas to seeking and accepting available help to MCCH clients;

· Helping individual clients to see the benefit of treatment rather than only seeing the stigmas associated; will meet with identified clients to speak from a place of compassion, empathy, and shared experience;

· Supporting Case Management to become more aware of challenges faced by clients so that their concerns may be addressed before they reach a crisis level;

· Promoting a safe, supportive environment in which clients are treated with respect and courtesy in line with trauma informed care;

· Assisting the clients in working toward mastering the skills necessary to live independently;

· Ensuring that clients have their basic supplies and needs such as toiletries, laundry detergent, including replenishing and stocking supplies;

· Providing emergency intervention in response to hostile situations and crises;

· Offering training, assistance, and modeling with daily living skills to clients (e.g., personal hygiene, nutrition, laundry, use of public transportation, and socialization skills);

· Supporting connections to community based, mutual self-help groups and resources (e.g., work, school, physical activity, etc.);

· Identifying barriers (internal and external) to full participation in community resources and developing strategies to overcome those barriers;

· Providing a “listening ear” for MCCH clients and facilitating conflict resolution;

· Establishing and maintaining positive working relationships while always maintaining profession boundaries;

· Observing clients, reporting, and documenting any unusual and/or critical incidents on an MCCH Incident Report Form submitted to Supervisor and Program Director;

· Completing assigned trainings;

· Attending mandatory scheduled staff meetings;

· Representing MCCH in the community in accordance with the agency’s mission and vision;

· Other duties, as assigned.

Specific to Keys First:

· Ensuring that daily scheduled activities are completed, and assists in meeting the basic needs of the clients;

· Develop, update, and maintain Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP) with clients;

· Monitoring and reporting to the Case Manager noteworthy information about client behavior or mental status; and

· Representing MCCH in a positive and professional manner to resident’s families and outside organizations with whom the Peer Specialist comes in contact in person or by telephone.

· High school graduate or GED;

· Certified as a Peer Specialist;

· Basic computer skills;

· Ability to write routine reports and documents;

· Ability to solve problems, negotiate and deal with a variety of concrete variables;

· Knowledge and experience in administering CPR and minor first aid; and

· Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.