Peer Support Specialist, Substance Use Recovery

The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for homeless and at‑risk families, children, and individuals throughout Colorado. The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well‑being, and stability of those it serves.

We believe all people have the right to adequate housing and health care. We work to remove the barriers that restrict access to these rights. Society benefits when adequate housing and health care are available to everyone. We create lasting solutions to homelessness by:

• Honoring the inherent dignity of those we serve, affirming their capabilities and fostering their hope that a better life is possible.
• Building strong, caring and trauma-informed communities through the integration of housing, health care and supportive services.
• Advocating for social and racial equity, inclusion and diversity, and challenging the status quo in partnership with our workforce members and those we serve.
• Achieving excellence through continuous quality assurance, innovation and professional development.
• Using resources judiciously and effectively.

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless seeks a Peer Support Specialist to partner with people seeking treatment for their substance use and connect them to our Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program at the Stout Street Health Center in downtown Denver. The team of MAT Peers helps our clients stay connected and engaged by serving as a bridge to our medical providers.

As people with lived experience with a substance use disorder, we have a unique ability to communicate differently and provide hope. At CCH we believe there are many pathways to recovery and provide a person-centered Harm Reduction approach to treatment. We do not run an abstinence only based program. The MAT Peers work primarily in the clinic but also do outreach in the community and provide assistance through peer support and advocacy.

We meet with clients independently as well as in a group setting and help them set realistic, achievable goals that build confidence and inspire hope. By focusing on the client's strengths, the Peers promote personal accountability, growth, and recovery.

* You must be a person in recovery from substance use to be eligible for this position. Lived experience that also includes homelessness and/or effective treatment of mental health conditions is preferred and knowledge or personal experience with MAT is strongly preferred. Through our lived experience the Peers offer insight & first‑hand knowledge to support our clients, as well as our dedicated staff.

Your experience is what makes you so valuable to helping others. Professional Peer experience is preferred but not required.

In addition to supporting clients continued engagement in our MAT program, the Peers work to connect clients to other services at the Stout Street Health Center and to other resources that promote recovery from substance use, harm reduction, stable housing, a sense of purpose, and connection with one’s community. The Peer Specialist fosters hope and empowerment, providing emotional support, recovery education, and resource navigation within a trauma-informed, person-centered, and culturally competent environment.

The primary function of the MAT Peer is to provide peer support and navigation/coordination of services to assist clients in accessing resources and developing the personal skills they need to:

• Begin/continue their journey of recovery from substance use;
• Continue engagement in their medication assisted treatment at the SSHC;
• Learn to advocate for themselves;
• Secure and maintain stable housing;
• Establish or remain engaged with healthcare services to improve and/or maintain overall health and well‑being;
• Establish positive and supportive social connections within the community;
• Identify and pursue meaningful activities that provide a sense of purpose and personal satisfaction.

NOTE: In order to ensure that our consumers receive the best possible care the candidate chosen to fill this…