Peer Support Specialist; Austin

INSTITUTE FOR NONVIOLENCE CHICAGO

POSITION TITLE: Peer Support Specialist

REPORTS TO: Associate Director of Behavioral Health and Wellness

The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago’s mission is to end the cycle of violence using Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s principles and teachings of nonviolence. Informed by a philosophy of nonviolence, Nonviolence Chicago will establish caring and sustained relationships with participants engaged in the cycle of violence. We will emphasize partnerships with community members, leaders, social service providers, and local law enforcement to reduce community levels of violence.

We will help create a safer, healthier environment for young adults, youth, and their families. These general approaches will be specifically addressed using for major methods:
Community Violence Intervention (CVI) / Street Outreach, Individualized Service Provision, Victim Support Services, and Nonviolence Training.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago is currently seeking a Peer Support Specialist to join the Behavioral Health and Wellness team.

This position will be responsible for providing direct peer support services to a caseload of participants and staff struggling with the impact of trauma and community violence.

This position may also be responsible for co-facilitating Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CBI) groups with frontline staff in participant programming.

Additionally, this position will assist with development and implementation of Institute for Nonviolence Chicago’s staff wellness initiative, with a specific focus on infusing peer support services into organizational policies and procedures.

The ideal candidate for this role is someone who has first-hand experience utilizingbehavioral health services to addressing trauma, has demonstrated commitment to the values and mission of Institute for Nonviolence Chicago, and has a passion for “healing the healers.”

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

Peer Support for Participants (50%)

· Complete behavioral health intakes as needed, maintain progress notes and other relevant program data and record keeping as necessary in a timely manner

· Maintain small caseload of individual participants who meet target criteria and conduct peer support sessions

· Facilitate referrals and warm handoffs for participants in need of external behavioral health services as needed

· Assist with facilitation of process and skill building groups with participants, survivor support groups and other groups as assigned

· Provide presentations and trainings to staff and community partners as needed

· Assist with the development and integration of trauma-informed policies, practices, and services for Institute for Nonviolence Chicago participants

· Conduct outreach to community providers, families, and significant others to gather additional information for behavioral health and wellness service planning

· Provide services in a culturally humble and responsive manner

· Additional duties as required by Associate Director of Behavioral Health and Wellness

Employee Behavioral Health and Wellness (35%)

· Participate in interdisciplinary wellness committee responsible for development and implementation of staff wellness programming

· Assist with development and implementation of peer support wellness services for staff

· Collaborate with CORNERS, UIC, and other research partners in evaluation of staff wellness programming as needed

· Be available to provide emotional support to Institute for Nonviolence Chicago staff related to shooting responses and other on-the-job trauma exposure

· Assist with the development and integration of trauma-informed policies and practices to enhance program effectiveness

· Complete relevant program data and record keeping as necessary in a timely manner

· Assist with facilitating process groups, presentations, and trainings to staff and community partners, including CBI

· Provide services in a culturally humble and responsive manner

· Additional duties as required by Associate Director of Behavioral Health and Wellness

Cognitive Behavioral Intervention (CBI) Cofacilitation (15%)

· Under the direction of Associate Director of Behavioral…