Youth Peer Support Specialist

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Supportive Services Coordinator, the Youth Peer Support Specialist (YPSS) will act as a support and resource for youth with a serious emotional disturbance (SED) diagnosis who are receiving services in the behavioral health system.

The YPSS will act as a member of the treatment team by working with youth 1 on 1 in their homes, schools, and community, supporting youth in achieving their treatment plan goals. The YPSS will help youth to fully engage in their treatment and with their treatment providers. The YPSS will support youth empowerment by improving their overall functioning and quality of life, motivating youth toward greater community inclusion, and working collaboratively with others involved in delivering the youth’s care.

The YPSS engages with the youth, their family, and their treatment team. The YPSS should possess strong communication skills and be able to support and model problem‑solving and conflict‑resolution skills. In addition, the YPSS completes necessary documentation in a timely manner, communicates effectively in both oral and written form, maintains accurate records using basic computer software, and performs other related duties as assigned.

The YPSS is responsible for carrying out all activities of the program/sub‑unit in such a manner that fulfills CMHA‑CEI’s mission, policies and procedures.

CMHA‑CEI is a Michigan Certified Bronze Level Veteran Friendly Employer and encourages active military service members, veterans, and their family members to apply.

• Possession of a high school diploma or G.E.D is required.
• Young adult, ages 18 – 26, with lived experience with mental illness/substance use disorders, who received mental health services from a Community Mental Health agency as a youth.
• Willing and able to self‑identify as a person who has or is receiving behavioral health services and is prepared to use that experience to help others.
• Considerable ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, fellow employees, youth and families, state & local agencies, and the general public.
• Ability to cope with difficult/stressful situations requiring immediate decisions in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of community service organizations, mental illness, substance use disorders preferred.
• Eligible and willing to be trained in the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services approved curriculum and ongoing training model for YPS.
• Must obtain certification approved by the State of Michigan as a Peer Specialist within one (1) year of employment.
• One year of experience interacting with youth with behavioral/emotional impairments preferred.
• Applicants must have experienced a significant disruption in their lives from the onset of a severe mental illness, have received public mental health services currently or in the past for the mental illness (preferably at CMH Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Co) and are now in recovery and able to talk about this experience with others.
• Military experience/exposure highly preferred, including a household family member with military experience or extensive knowledge of the military.
• Possession of a valid MI driver’s license and access to reliable transportation for job‑related use required.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to communicate their personal story such that they can be a strong advocate, instill hope, and diminish the stigma for others in treatment through the interview process.

Employment offers for this position will be contingent upon the results of a Michigan State Police clearance and verification of an acceptable background check. Successful applicants must pass a pre‑employment drug screen.

Applicants must submit an employment application. Resumes cannot be substituted for the employment application. CMHA‑CEI promotes diversity and seeks equality of opportunity for all persons. The organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace.

$20.82 – 22.47 per hour. 32 hours per week. Schedule of 4 days per week;
Monday‑Thursday 11:00‑7:30 p.m.

Families Forward, 1305

E. Jolly Rd Suite B, Lansing, Michigan.