Welcome Orange Peer Specialist

Description:Would you like to be a part of a collaborative effort to connect individuals to resources in their community and help them achieve the goals that they’ve set for themselves? If your answer is yes, the Welcome Orange Peer Specialist position maybe a great fit for you!

As the Welcome Orange Peer Specialist, you’ll have a caseload that consist of older adults ages 55 and older. You’ll be responsible for helping them achieve their desired goals, encourage personal empowerment, self-determination, while promoting independent living skill development.

Independent Living, Inc., is a progressive and dynamic cross-disability services organization and a leader in the provision of peer services in the Hudson Valley region. As a Welcome Orange Peer Specialist, you must have personal lived experience as a former or current user of mental health services and be comfortable with self-disclosure as needed. Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services plus two years of advocacy experience preferred.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain a current and working knowledge of systems, issues and legislation at both a local and statewide level which affect the persons we serve, this includes but is not limited to Social Security Benefits, Dept. of Social Services, Mental Hygiene Law, Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as Independent Living philosophy.
• Adhere to Enhanced Welcome Orange Geriatric Initiative Project operational policies and procedures, plan, and code of ethics.
• Function as a member of the inter-disciplinary team by participating in case conferencing with staff and incident-review committee investigations, as needed; and
• Responding to inquiries via phone and email in a timely fashion.
• Effectively communicate and interface with professionals, community, and recipients of services; and
• Provide home modification consultation and administer the home modification fund.
• Provide one-on-one support for older adults in the community, with special emphasis on identifying and assisting in the management of social determinants of health which can lead to better health outcomes.
• Assist older adults with breaking isolation, achieving socialization, making friendships in the community, attending regular physical and behavioral health appointments, utilizing local resources, and providing a close and reliable companion to recognize changes in behavior or living situations that could require additional assistance or care.
• Organize and maintain all program information.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and statistical reports as necessary for Enhanced Welcome Orange Geriatric Initiative.
• Caseload will consist of older adults 55 and above.
• Assist persons to achieve self-stated goals.
• Engage in individual and systems advocacy.
• Network with mental health providers and community support services to maintain an integrated support system for persons with psychiatric disabilities.
• Assist persons to access and navigate community support services.
• Facilitate and support the development of an integrated support network for individuals which includes but is not limited to case management, benefits advisement, supported housing, self-help, employment and educational services, in addition to other community supports individuals may wish to access.
• Provide peer counseling.
• Encourage personal empowerment, self-determination, while promoting independent living skill development.
• Encourage independence and autonomy by offering information, experiences and opportunities to assist individuals to make informed choices.
• Report on required performance measures and enter program data into the OCDMH electronic health record and the ILI data system.
• Attend and actively participate in all meetings and training sessions provided by the agency.
• Teach "systems navigation".
• The above list of responsibilities is not intended to be all inclusive, other responsibilities and/or training may be assigned or required.

SHIFT:

• Monday through Friday 9am-5pm.

PAY RATE:

• $20.78/hr - $22.06/hr

BENEFITS:

• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid time off
• Mileage Reimbursement

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services plus two years of advocacy experience preferred.
• Must complete approved advocacy training programs within the first six months of employment.
• Have a working knowledge of cross disabilities affecting the 55 and older community in the areas of physical health, mental health, substance use disorder and recovery.
• Experience as a “peer” and a working knowledge of the mental health system and recovery process (including but not limited to 12 step programs, Self Help and other alternative methods) are preferred.
• Must have personal “lived” experience as a former or current user of mental health services and be comfortable with self-disclosure as needed.
• Honesty, respect for diversity, high personal standards, language and behaviors reflecting such values and the Independent Living philosophy.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize the need for and facilitate connections between consumers and IL and other disability related services.
• Knowledge of local, statewide and national disability related issues and community dynamics.
• Excellent written and verbal presentation skills.
• Must have good time management skills and be self-directing, especially if there is any downtime.
• Must possess an unrestricted valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation.

Por favor, ayudanos a crear un sociedad libre sin barreras! Help us create a barrier-free society!