Youth Peer Support Specialist

Community Care ME; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Care ME is seeking a Peer Support Specialist to provide one-on-one peer support to youth using the Peer Connect curriculum across Maine. You will choose the settings that suit youth best and travel to deliver services, including in rural areas, while linking youth to resources and referrals as needed.

You will join a team focused on education and outreach, maintaining certifications, attending required trainings, and documenting all interactions and activities promptly.

Qualifications

• Must be 18–26 years old and currently receiving or has received services for a mental health disorder.
• Willing to self-disclose on this basis.
• Must have a valid Maine driver’s license and a registered, insured vehicle within 12 months of hire.
• Must pass background checks including DMV, CPS, APS and Criminal checks.

Responsibilities

• Attend Peer Connect training to become Maine Peer Connect certified and maintain certification annually.
• Demonstrate understanding of core competencies established by SAMHSA.
• Provide one-on-one peer support using the Peer Connect curriculum; youth choose setting.
• Travel across the region to deliver services, including rural areas.
• Link youth with resources and referrals as requested by the youth.
• Maintain office hours during peer support drop-in hours across multiple locations.
• Work with YPSSN team to facilitate workshops and coordinate speakers.
• Upon case assignment, contact by end of business day and document attempts within 24 hours.
• Document all one-on-one contacts with youth within 24 hours.
• Document all YPSSN activities (groups, workshops, education) in the tracking tool.
• Assist in disseminating youth surveys upon request.
• Participate in agency meetings including supervision.
• Support youth in pursuing educational/vocational goals, linking with MV Liaison or employment agency as appropriate.
• Other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Job description

General Purpose And Objectives/Position Statement

The PSS provides peer support services in accordance with the Peer Connect curriculum across all settings preferred by the youth including agency offices, youth's homes, and community-based settings.

Essential Job Functions

• Attend Peer Connect training to become Maine Peer Connect certified within the timeline set by the agency, in addition to annually attending Peer Connect Learning Collaborative components to maintain Maine certification and all additional agency training.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the core competencies established by the Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
• Provide one-on-one peer support services to youth utilizing the Peer Connect curriculum, allowing the youth to select the location and setting in which they are most comfortable.
• Travel to various areas across the region to deliver one-on-one peer support services to youth, including the most rural areas.
• Link youth with resources as needed, including assisting youth with referrals and in accessing services as requested by the youth.
• Maintain office hours during times of peer support drop-in hours as scheduled in various office locations across the region.
• Work as a member of the YPSSN team in facilitating workshops and coordinating speakers/educational opportunities.
• Upon case assignment, attempt first contact by the end of business day, documenting all attempted contact efforts within 24 hours.
• Document all one-on-one contacts with youth within 24 hours.
• Document all YPSSN activities including, but not limited to, groups, workshops, and educational activities on the tracking tool.
• Assist as needed in disseminating youth surveys upon request.
• Participate in agency meetings as requested, including individual and group supervisions.
• Support youth in pursuing their educational/vocational goals, including linking them with an MV Liaison and/or employment assistance agency as appropriate.
• Other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Education, Experience And Certificates

Peer Support Specialists must be between the ages of 18-26 and must be an individual who is receiving, or has received, services related to the diagnosis of a mental health disorder that has seriously impacted their life and relationships for an extended period of time, is in recovery, and is willing to self-disclose on this basis.

Must currently have, or obtain within 12 months of hire, a valid State of Maine Driver's license and a registered, insured vehicle.

Must be able to pass background checks including DMV, CPS, APS, and Criminal checks.