Peer Support Specialist- Community Outreach and Youth Homelessness

As part of Eau Claire County’s Community Outreach Team, the Community Peer Support Specialist will provide support, education, and advocacy to individuals and their families facing challenges related to homelessness, substance abuse, those experiencing symptoms related to mental health, and those dealing with other traumatic events. This role emphasizes building trust and establishing relationships with community members through peer support and outreach service in collaboration with the larger County Community Outreach team. The Community Peer Support Specialist will actively engage with individuals in the community to provide guidance, offer resources, assist in navigating mental health and social services systems including housing, and support individuals through decision making. They will work closely with the community outreach team.

• Conduct outreach across Eau Claire County in various public settings such as homeless shelters, hospitals, libraries, and outreach events to engage individuals who may benefit from services.
• Establish rapport and build trust with individuals through non-judgmental, empathetic, and supportive interactions.
• Provide one-on-one peer support in community settings, including homes, shelters, and public spaces, utilizing motivational interviewing and harm reduction principles.
• Assist clients in identifying and achieving personal goals related to housing, mental health, substance use recovery, and wellness, focusing on empowerment and self-advocacy.
• Maintain a client-centered approach while ensuring clients' autonomy and decision-making power.
• Connect clients to available community resources and services, such as housing, mental health care, substance use treatment, and employment.
• Demonstrate effective case management by utilizing best practices and evidence-based methods to ensure timely, efficient, and appropriate service delivery.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with internal and external service providers, healthcare professionals, and community organizations for integrated client support.
• Educate the community and organizations on peer support initiatives and available resources
• Accurately document and track outreach activities, client interactions, and progress toward client-defined goals.
• Advocate for clients to ensure access to essential resources and services within the community and service systems.
• Promote awareness of community resources and support services through education and outreach.
• Participate in staff meetings, supervision, and other scheduled activities; maintain open communication with colleagues, management, and external providers.
•  Enhance professional knowledge and skills through reading, attending training events, workshops, and conferences.
• Use innovative strategies to identify creative approaches to solve system issues to better meet community needs
• Foster a positive team environment to support a deep collaborative culture within the Outreach team
• Provide feedback and support to team members to ensure continuous improvement
• Perform additional duties as needed to support the mission, vision, values of the Eau Claire Department of Human Services.

• Lived experience with homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use, and/or a history of incarceration
• 1 year of experience in family, children, or adult services, or successful internship completion in the relevant field
• Appointmentwillbeconditionaluponsuccessfulcompletionofacaregiverandcriminalbackground checks.
• Appointment will be conditional upon successful completion of a caregiver and criminal background checks.
• Wisconsin Certified Peer Specialist
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification or ability to obtain certification within one (1) year of employment and maintain thereafter during employment.
• Must have valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and access to private transportation for work-related duties
• Must possess and maintain personal automobile insurance in the amount of $100,000/$300,000.
  
  
  

• Harm Reduction Principles
• Motivational Interviewing
• Strength Based Case Management
• Trama Informed Care
• Strong knowledge of local community resources and social service systems
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Fluency in a second language is a plus