Peer Support Specialist

MISSION STATEMENT

Are you ready to give back to the community while pursuing your passion?  For over 50 years, Acacia Network and its affiliates have been committed to improving the quality-of-life and wellbeing of underserved communities in New York City and beyond.  We are one of the leading human services organizations in New York City and the largest Hispanic-led nonprofit in the State, serving over 150,000 individuals every year. Our programs serve individuals at every age and developmental level, from the very young through our daycare programs to mature adults through our older adults centers. Our extensive array of community-based services are fully integrated, bilingual and culturally competent.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Peer Support Specialist requires someone who is culturally aware and sensitive to the needs of the Latino population, possess excellent computer skills, be able to function as a part of an inter-disciplinary team and have understanding of therapy and group work rooted in evidenced based approaches for intervention and management strategies. Peer Support services are peer-delivered services with a rehabilitation and recovery focus. They are designed to promote skills for coping with and managing behavioral health symptoms while facilitating the utilization of natural resources and the enhancement of recovery-oriented principles (e.g. hope and self-efficacy, and community living skills). Peer support uses trauma-informed, non-clinical assistance to achieve long-term recovery from a behavioral health disorder.

Under supervision of the Program Director, the requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. The provider ensures strengths based, person centered quality of care provided in a culturally and linguistically meaningful therapeutic environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities as defined by the ADA to perform the essential functions of the job. The functions below outline the general responsibilities associated with this position. Each of these functions is considered critical to effective department operations and our Mission. It is expected that all staff in this position will have satisfactory attendance and will perform these functions as assigned in a competent, cooperative, and timely manner. The Job Description will be reviewed periodically for accuracy and/or adjusted according to business necessity

KEY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide recovery-oriented interventions for adults and children diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illnesses. 
• Work as a member of multidisciplinary treatment team that practices client centered and holistic care; accompany clients to appointments and complete warm- hand off referrals, including health homes services.
• Communicate effectively with clients and collateral contacts and conduct outreach for care coordination. 
• Provide advocacy services for clients, including assisting individuals obtain benefits and entitlements, obtain food, obtain housing, and access appropriate care in the community. 
• Conduct interim visits with individuals after a discharge from a hospital, rehab, or inpatient stay to facilitate community tenure and increased readiness while waiting for the first post- discharge visit with a community-based mental health provider.
• Assist in the selection and utilization of self-directed recovery tools such as relapse prevention planning.
• Connect individuals to self-help groups in the community. 
• Provide recovery education and counseling to individuals and their family members.
• Provide transitional support- bridging from an institution (jail, hospital, rehab) to an individual’s home. 
• Provide pre-crisis and crisis support services. 
• Provide parent skills development and training. 
• Conduct groups with families to strengthen social skills, decrease isolation, provide emotional support and create opportunities for ongoing natural support. 
• Participate in staff and organizational meetings as requested for care coordination and development of policies and procedures. 
• Maintain compliance with all organizational policies and procedures. 
• Facilitate and co-facilitate EBPs groups.
• Participate as member of the EBPs groups curriculum development process. 
• Perform additional relevant duties as requested by supervisor/management. 
• Complete office duties as needed/required.
• Complete wellness, health promotions activities.

REQUIREMENTS

• Hold a high school diploma or jurisdictionally certified high school equivalency.
• Bi-lingual (Spanish/English); strongly preferred.
• NYS OMH certification is required.
• Experience or desire to work with people who have a mental illness.
• Positive attitude and professional demeanor.
• Ability to complete work independently as well as in collaboration with team members.
• Must be team oriented with a willingness to be flexible and helpful.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Windows, Excel, PowerPoint, and electronic communications tools: internet and email.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Highly organized, motivated self-starter.
• Excellent time management skills.

WHY JOIN US

Acacia Network provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. In addition to a competitive salary, our benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage. We also offer generous paid time off, including vacation days and paid holidays, to support a healthy work-life balance. We prioritize the well-being of our employees both professionally and personally.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.