Youth Peer Support Specialist

The Youth Peer Support Specialist works closely with youth who have psychiatric disabilities as they transition to adult hood. The Cornerstone Youth Peer Support Specialist acts as a mentor while providing support and assistance to individuals in the following areas: functional skills in education employment social supports wellness self-management and residential stability.

What we are looking for:

As a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic CNS Healthcares mission is to serve the people of our communities. We are seeking candidates that have a passion for mentoring to help people achieve community inclusion participation independence recovery and productivity. Our ideal candidate has a special ability to gain the trust and respect of the individuals we serve based on shared experiences.

The Cornerstone Youth Peer Support Specialist works closely with youth who have psychiatric disabilities as they transition to adulthood. The Cornerstone Youth Peer Support Specialist acts as a mentor while providing support and assistance to individuals in the following areas: functional skills in education employment social supports wellness self-management and residential stability.

This is a community-based position. Staff will have the opportunity to work remotely and will also be expected to be in the office at times as needed.

Compensation Range:

The starting pay for this position is $18.60 - $23.40 hourly rate for uncertified candidates and $19.88 - $25.13 hourly rate for certified candidates and is based on non-discriminatory factors such as skills and experience.

Whats in it for you:

As a member of our team you will have an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on our community and the lives of the individuals that we serve. CNS Healthcare provides a robust total rewards program to support our team members and their loved ones. Weve shared some highlights below but you can visit the benefits guide posted on our careers page to learn more!

• Comprehensive medical insurance options
• Employer-paid benefits including dental vision life and short-term disability insurance
• Retirement program with generous company default contribution and match
• Generous PTO program starting at 18 days annually
• 16 paid holidays including 3 floating holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Student loan forgiveness eligibility including Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) HRSA and more

Interested in learning more about this role

Please see below for a summary of job responsibilities and qualifications!

• Supports individuals in acquiring and practicing all activities of daily life.
• Connects individuals to medically necessary and clinically indicated services including DHS Social Security food and clothing banks and other community resources using agency or personally owned vehicle as assigned.
• Facilitates wellness groups including WRAP WHAM Smoking Cessation among others and support individuals in those groups in gaining access to community programs and services as they are indicated especially physical health care and dental services.
• Attends team meetings and receives assignments from supervisor.
• Provides assistance and partnership in:
  • Developing advance directive
  • Learning about and pursuing alternatives to guardianship
  • Developing implementing and providing ongoing guidance for advocacy and support groups.
• Promotes client decision-making that support self-determination and participate in the person-entered-planning (PCP) process.
• Assists individuals with the implementation of their goals and objectives identified in the PCP.
• Attends outings intended to enhance socialization and provides instruction-based assistance including teaching prompting modeling monitoring encouragement and general support to persons served.
• Utilizes a Trauma-Informed approach to deliver services
• Completes all required documentation including progress notes contact notes and NOMS completely accurately and in accordance with CNS policy
• Fulfill mandatory education requirements of CNS.
• Accounts for scheduled work hours through billing productivity or other approved methods of documentation.
• Meet established productivity standards of the organization.
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid and unrestricted Drivers License
• Transportation or Automobile accessibility with current automobile/vehicle insurance meeting agency policy requirements
• Is a young adult ages 18 through age 26 with lived experience who received mental health services as a youth.
• Is willing and able to self- identify as a person who has or is receiving behavioral health services and is prepared to use that experience in helping others.
• Has experience receiving services as a youth in complex child serving systems preferred (behavioral health child welfare juvenile justice special education etc.).
• Meet eligibility requirements for State of Michigan Peer Support Specialist Certification
  1. Primary diagnosis of a mental health condition.
  2. Have a strong personal knowledge of what it is like to have first-hand lived experience with a mental health condition that has caused a substantial life disruption.
  3. Has been a recipient of mental health treatment and/or services for at least one year with a substantial life disruption due to their mental health condition.
  4. Have personal experience navigating complex mental health treatment services.
  5. Self-identifies as having a mental health condition with a substantial life disruption and share their recovery story in supporting others.
• Ability to report and record information regarding individual dreams and desires verbally and in writing.
• Ability to communicate effectively professionally and courteously
• Ability to use discretion and judgment when handling matters of a sensitive or confidential nature
• Intermediate time management problem-solving customer service interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Intermediate presentation facilitation collaboration and team working skills.
• Ability to be forward-thinking and take initiative to accomplish goals and objectives of the department
• Proficient with computers and working knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to work closely with persons with mental or physical limitations.
• Ability to contribute to an inclusive environment that recognizes the value and contributions of all persons regardless of race ethnicity national origin gender religion age marital status sexual orientation gender identity or disability.

P referred

• Obtain and maintain State of Michigan certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) within one year of employment.
• Prior experience as a peer support specialist.
• Experience with electronic health record (EHR) systems.

About CNS Healthcare:

CNS Healthcare (CNS) is a non-profit Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) with seven clinics and two clubhouses in Southeastern Michigan. CNS employs approximately 400 employees paraprofessionals and support staff delivering services to more than 7000 people annually.

• CNS provides comprehensive integrated health services in partnership with several community organizations and uses a patient-centered approach to identify support and promote the overall health of children adolescents adults and older adults.

Required Experience:

IC