Peer Support Specialist - Housing

BestCare Treatment Services, Inc.; Madras (OR); On-site; USD 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

BestCare Treatment Services, Inc. invites applications for a Full-time Peer Support Specialist focused on housing within the Rental Assistance/Supported Housing Program in Madras, Oregon.

The role helps adults access housing resources, benefits, and community supports while coordinating with the mental health team to maintain treatment goals. Qualifications include a high school diploma, a State-certified Peer Support Specialist credential, and preference for lived experience with homelessness

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Must meet Oregon's peer definition and have lived experience with addictions or mental health services.
• Recovery history: maintain continuous recovery for 2+ years if previously in recovery.
• Peer Support Specialist certification from a State-approved program required; apply within 30 days if not held.

Responsibilities

• Work with clients to secure and maintain housing.
• Provide support and resources and coordinate with the Mental Health Team.
• Assist with accessing benefits, entitlements, and community resources.
• Complete administrative paperwork for housing programs and ISSP goals.
• Provide transportation when appropriate and conduct home visits as needed.
• Participate in training and mentor new staff; model positive engagement.

Education

High School Diploma

Associate’s degree or college courses in Behavioral Health

Job description

The Peer Support Specialist for housing will provide support service components to clients who are eligible and accepted into the Rental Assistance/Supported Housing Program (SHP/RA) to provide support and resources to improve and maintain their ability to live as independently as possible within the community.

Job Type

Full-time

Qualifications

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• High School Diploma (or equivalent) required
• Must meet the Oregon Administrative Rules definition of a peer: “any individual who has similar life experience, either as a current or former recipient of addictions or mental health services, or as a family member of an individual who is a current or former recipient of addictions or mental health services.”
• Familiarity with mental illness and substance abusing populations as well as people with disabilities, and community resources.
• For individuals in recovery from substance-use disorder and/or mental illness, must have maintained continuous recovery for the previous two years at the time of hire

Licenses And Certifications

• Peer Support Specialist certification (PSS, THW, PWS) from a State-approved training program is required. New Hires that do not hold a current certification must make an application within the first 30 days of employment and complete within 6 months from date of hire
• Must maintain a valid Oregon Driver License or ability to obtain one upon hire, and be insurable under the organization’s auto liability coverage policy (minimum 21 years of age and with no Type A violations in the past 3 years, or three (3) or more Type B violations)

Preferred

• Lived experience and/or understanding of the unique difficulties of those who are transient or experiencing houselessness
• Associate’s degree or college courses in a behavioral health field
• Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus

Essential Functions

• Works with clients in securing and maintaining housing;
• Works closely with other staff and as a key member of the Mental Health Team to provide effective, compassionate care and supports;
• Assists clients with accessing resources, benefits, and entitlement programs;
• Completes administrative paperwork, including but not limited to participant screening and all administrative paperwork required related to client housing and the Supported Housing Program;
• Provides support to mental health clients in achieving their treatment plans (ISSP/Individual Services & Support Plan) goals and objectives;
• Stays abreast of state housing codes/standards and ensures that each prospective rental unit is in full compliance with said housing standards;
• Provides transportation for clients when appropriate and under the direction of the mental health clinician and/or MH Clinical Supervisor;
• When appropriate, conducts or participates in client home visits and welfare checks, working in conjunction with the mental health clinician and/or MH clinical supervisor;
• Assists with the facilitation and coordination of skill-building such as completing applications, budgeting, timely bill payments, accessing community resources, maintaining healthy relationships, and applying for mainstream housing resources (HUD/Section 8);
• Maintains clinical documentation within agency stated guidelines;
• Participates in training (agency, state, regional, etc.) that will assist the employee in their position;
• Models appropriate behavior to the newer staff and helps to train and orient new staff to the program. In addition to being a positive role model, provides assistance to clients, showing compassion and being effective in engaging clients in mental health treatment services wherever possible;
• Other related duties as assigned by immediate supervisor or Program Director.

Salary Description

$18.00 - $23.62