Youth Peer Support Specialist

Description

• The primary responsibility of the Youth peer support specialist (YPSS) is to provide support to youth being served at Monroe Community Mental Health Authority (MCMHA) with a serious emotional disturbance (SED) through shared activities and interventions.
• The goals of Youth Peer Support include supporting youth empowerment, assisting youth in developing skills to improve their overall functioning and quality of life, and working collaboratively with others involved in delivering the youth’s care.
• Youth Peer Support services can be in the form of direct support, information sharing and skill building.
• The Youth Peer Support Specialist is a person who has received mental health services as a youth and has progressed in their own recovery from a mental health condition and / or substance use disorder and is willing to self-identify as a peer and work to assist other children and adolescents with a serious emotional disturbance. Because of their life experience, such persons have expertise that professional training cannot replicate.
• Youth Peer Support Services are provided by trained youth peer support specialists, one-on-one or in a group, for youth with serious emotional disturbance who are resolving conflicts, enhancing skills to improve their overall functioning, integrating with community, school and family and/or transitioning into adulthood.
• Services provide support and assistance for youth in accordance with the goals in their plan of service to assist the youth with community integration, improving family relationships and resolving conflicts, and making a transition to adulthood, including achieving successful independent living options, obtaining employment, and navigating the public human services system.

Qualifications

• Young adult, ages 18 through 26
• Willing and able to self-identify as a person who has or is receiving mental health services as a youth and has lived experience, and is prepared to use that experience in helping others
• Experience receiving services as a youth in complex, child serving systems (behavioral health, child welfare, juvenile justice, special education, etc.) preferred
• High school diploma/GED
• Eligible and understands that they must be trained in MDHHS approved curriculum and ongoing training model
• Strong communication and organization skills
• Possess basic computer proficiency skills
• Valid driver’s license
• Access to and ability to utilize transportation in order to perform job activities
• Ability to pass background check and screen requirements as required by agency

Other Competencies and Abilities:
Ability to work in a complex, detail-oriented, deadline structured busy organization. The following physical and mental abilities are required: frequent lifting or carrying up to 15 pounds, must be able to hear, frequent standing/walking going up and down stairs due to community outreach basis, ability to communicate effectively in person and/or phone, the ability to read, analyze and interpret information, ability to write reports, correspondence and procedures, ability to maintain consumer charts/records, ability to define and solve practical problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions, ability to influence others. Demonstrated proficiency in MS Outlook, MS Office, electronic medical records (Encompass II) and such other applications if/when required. Ability to be trained and successfully complete other computer training as required. Valid driver’s license, proof of current automobile insurance and driving record determined by the Authority’s insurance carrier to be eligible for coverage if required as part of positions duties.

Other Requirements:
1. This position is limited to persons between the ages 18 through 26.
2. Must have basic computer literacy skills and the ability to successfully utilize an electronic medical record to complete documentation requirements.
3. Experience receiving services as a youth in complex, child serving systems (behavioral health, child welfare, juvenile justice, special education, etc.) preferred.
4. Strong communication and organization skills.
5. Must possess a valid Michigan driver’s license.
6. Access to and ability to utilize transportation in order to perform job activities.