Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialist

ABOUT US

Founded in 1991, Hope Solutions "formerly Contra Costa Interfaith Housing" is avibrantandsocially responsive non-profit agency that provides permanent housing and vital support services to over 3,500 families and individuals in Contra Costa County who are homelessor are at risk for homelessness. Over 40 faith-based communities support our work, although there are no religious requirements or affiliations required to receive services.

Are you seeking a new role that fully utilizes your talents and potential-while helping to make the world a better place? If so, please read on!

What are you passionate about?

At Hope Solutions-we envision a world in which everyone has a place to call home and the support of a strong community so that they can live with dignity and reach their full potential. We strive to be inclusive and responsive to community needs. We are committed to excellence and accomplish our work with integrity, respect, compassion, and humility.

Hope Solution'smission is toheal the effects of povertyandhomelessness by providing permanent housing and vital support services to highly vulnerable families and individuals.

Could our mission be your mission?

Learn more about us @hopesolutions.org

TEAM SNAPSHOT

We're adding to our team of passionate folks-who are on a mission to help make the lives of others better-through services and support that lead to a higher quality of life for our clients.

We'd like to learn more about you-apply for the role! What's our team like?

Here's a snapshot of some of the folks at Hope Solutions who help advance our vision to achieve-secure housing and the dignity of self-sufficiency for the homeless and at-risk families and individuals in Contra Costa County.

A FEW OF US...

Deanne-Chief Executive Officer-lives in Central Contra Costa County with her husband and three children. She enjoys hiking the East Bay hills, camping, reading, cooking, and cheering too loudly at her kids' games.

Alex-Chief Operating Officer- lives in Walnut Creek with his wife, son, and dog. Alex has an MSW and is a self-described macro social worker. He is an avid reader and a huge baseball fan (Go Giants!). He loves spending time at home with his family making food, listening to jazz, and relaxing.

Bill-Director of Housing Programs-lives in Central Contra Costa County with his partner and is involved in raising his godson. Bill is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has been working with under-served populations for more than 20 years. He also serves on the Contra Costa County Healthcare for the Homeless Co-Applicant Board. He enjoys reading, gardening, and meditation.

Christina-Chief Financial Officer-lives in Pleasant Hill with her husband, three teenagers, and their dog. Christina has an MPA, a Graduate Certificate in Non-Profit Management, is a Certified Non-Profit Accountant, and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. She has over 20 years of finance and accounting experience, working the last several years in the non-profit sector. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her family.

Tanya-Director of Housing Navigation-lives in East Contra Costa County. She is married with one daughter and two sons. Tanya has a Master's in Counseling Psychology and has worked with under-served populations for over 15 years. She enjoys music, comedy, movies, exercising, and watching basketball games.

Beth-Director of Clinical and Support Services-lives with her sister and son in Central Contra Costa County. Beth is a licensed psychologist who has worked with children and families for over 30 years. She is incredibly passionate about working with young children, ages birth to 5 years old, and their families. She enjoys singing, cooking, gardening, and traveling with her family.

Iesha - Director of Re-Entry Housing and Services -lives in Central Contra Costa County with her husband, daughter, son, dog, and cat. She enjoys reading, painting, and listening to vinyl records. She is a huge baseball (GO A's!) and basketball (Go Celtics!) fan but enjoys watching football too! She has a strong background in workforce development and social enterprise to support the underserved in gainful employment.

Jasmine-Consulting Director of Strategic Initiatives-lives in Contra Costa County and is married with three children and three dogs. Jasmine has an MS in Organizational Leadership and Innovation. She is the co-convener of the Multi-faith ACTION Coalition. She serves on the boards of the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program as well as the Tourette Association of America.

Debbie-Director of External Relations and Development- lifelong Bay Area native, having grown up in Oakland, she now lives in Central Costa Contra County with her husband, two teenagers, and their rescue mutt. Debbie leads the external relations and development team for Hope Solutions which encompasses volunteer and in-kind donations coordination, events, marketing, and donor engagement. She joined Hope Solutions with over 20 years of marketing and communications experience including time at Gap Inc., Accenture Consulting and Ketchum Public Relations.

Kristina-Director of Human Resources-lives in Solano County with her youngest child and French Bulldogs. She has over 20 years of experience in human resources, leadership, operations, and people management. Kristina has a Bachelor's in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources and is SHRM-SCP certified. She enjoys spending time with family, yoga, indoor cycling, and hiking, and loves to laugh. She believes if you look for the good in all things, you will find it.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

The Peer Support Specialist is an integral member of Hope Solutions' mental health service team (HEAR US), entrusted with delivering essential mental health support to formerly homeless adults residing in permanent supportive housing across various Hope Solutions programs. Peer Support Specialists have personal experience with homelessness, mental health, and/or substance use services and use their lived experience to support and advocate for others. They demonstrate a personal belief in recovery and a sincere interest in the welfare of individuals in recovery. Their lived experience and insight are pivotal to instilling a sense of hope and optimism for the adults (individuals, couples, or parents) they serve.

The Peer Support Specialist helps adult participants navigate social service systems (educational, legal, medical, and social services), working non-judgmentally and respectfully and promoting independence and advocacy skills. The Peer Support Specialist works collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team to support the participant's perspectives, relationships, desires, culture, and language throughout treatment and care. The Peer Support Specialist also promotes and contributes to developing a culture of recovery and empowerment within and outside the agency and will uphold the integrity of program goals. These duties are performed under licensed clinical supervision.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Peer Support:

• Provide on-site, in-home, or community-based Peer Support services to adults in Hope Solutions permanent supportive housing programs (e.g., Families in Supportive Housing (FISH), ACCESS, MHSA housing, Coc RAP (formerly Shelter+Care), Garden Park Apartments, and affordable housing settings) who are experiencing mental health challenges.
  • Direct services include outreach, engagement, referral, linkage, and follow-up services to participants and their families/supports at their preferred locations.
  • Direct services are provided in-home, in the field, at various institutional settings, and in other locations in the community. Providing transportation to necessary appointments and community resources may be required.
• Meet with participants consistently to establish and maintain contact, build rapport, facilitate client interests in resources, develop and implement client care plans, support, and accompany residents through interpersonal and institutional transitions, teach and enhance coping skills, facilitate healthy dialogue between participants and relevant parties, and providing referral and linkage services for participants to community supports.
• Participate in maintaining a network of services and resources for adults receiving mental health services. Assists with accessing and providing linkages to other services based on the family's needs. Assists with accessing and providing linkages to other services based on family needs.
• Help increase the participant's own advocacy skills to obtain services, support their participation in treatment, and offer encouragement and hope.
• Assist adults in developing their own support network on behalf of their individual needs.
• Serve as a role model to inspire, engage, and advocate for participants in multiple settings.

Program Enrichment Activities:

• Collaborate with HEAR US mental health clinicians and case managers from other programs to provide support for individuals and families using a team approach.
• Work with other staff members to provide community resources for individuals and families, such as social and health-related activities, mental health, life skills, wellness practices, stress management techniques, and sobriety support.
• Assist with program events and activities delivered to individuals and families served by Hope Solutions as clinically relevant to adult mental health needs. These may include weekend and evening commitments.
• Complete accurate and timely case notes for all services provided to adults served under this contract. Case notes are submitted within 3 days of service: complete other documentation as appropriate.
• Meet individual program goals for hourly billing, including averaging a minimum of 20-25 hours per week of direct service to residents.

Cultural Responsiveness:

• Awareness of and aptitude to understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based differences within group environments appropriately and effectively.
• Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion and belonging.
• Experience fostering and reinforcing an environment that values unique experiences, cultures, personal humility and authenticity backgrounds, and goals.
• Participate in and complete our new employee onboarding process, which includes reading and discussing a short chapter in the book, The Color of Law.
• Review and commit to our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging Commitment.

Organizational/Administrative Responsibilities:

• Professionally represent Hope Solutions in all circumstances.
• Comply with all legal/ethical professional guidelines for maintaining consumer confidentiality, adhering to HIPAA guidelines, protecting consumer rights, advocating on consumers' behalf, and assuring consumer safety.
• Establish and maintain professional boundaries in working with clients.
• Comply with all local, state, and federal regulations, policies, procedures, standards of practice, and outcome requirements of the Supportive Housing Program and Hope Solutions.
• Attend all required meetings, including but not limited to: Hope Solutions staff meetings, program staff meetings, consumer case conferences, and linkage meetings with other agencies.
• Complete required personnel-related paperwork and complete expenditure reports for service expenses and/or mileage in a timely and accurate manner.
• On-call, after-hours, and backup work may be required.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Position Qualifications:

• Passion for and demonstrated experience successfully supporting vulnerable populations, especially homeless individuals, and families with mental health conditions.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Lived experiences similar to that of our residents include but are not limited to experiences of homelessness, consumer of mental health care services, recovery from substance abuse, and/or stigmatization regarding cultural and social statuses or identities.
• Peer certified per CalMHSA guidelines or a minimum of two (2) years experience working as a Peer Support Specialist, preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.
• Experience with low-income and disenfranchised populations is desired.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Computer proficiency in the use of Microsoft and database applications.
• Must have an operational vehicle, auto insurance, valid California driver's license, and be willing to drive for work.
• Must pass LiveScan screening and TB test.
• Salary contingent upon skill and experience.

Physical Qualifications:

• The person in this position may make home visits to consumers who live on second or third-floor apartments (without elevators) and will need to be able to climb stairs.
• May accompany consumers on walks to local resources (grocery store, childcare, parks) up to mile in distance.
• Must be able to work in a desk setting for up to 3 hours at a time to make calls to consumers, research resources on the internet, and collaborate with community providers with calls/emails.
• Office setting activities are required, such as typing on a laptop/computer to respond to emails, entering case notes into a database, and copying/faxing forms and documents on a copy machine related to maintaining or obtaining housing.
• Occasionally must be able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including furnishings for new residents, files, holiday gifts, and food donations.
• Ability to drive an automobile and transport oneself and consumers to appointments or meet at consumer homes, including driving at night.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Flexible, dynamic work environment
• 100% premium paid for employee Kaiser health and dental care.
• Matched 403b retirement savings.
• 10 paid holidays, plus 2 floating holidays.
• Ability to accrue...