LEAD Peer Specialist

Position

LEAD Peer Specialist (Person with Lived Experience/Peer Advocate)

Poughkeepsie, NY

Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM

$24.76 per hour

LEAD is an innovative and nation‑wide model that focuses on engagement and building relationships through intensive, street‑based case management. LEAD creates a low‑barrier system of care designed to divert individuals with unmet behavioral health needs away from the criminal justice system and to services and supports that address their needs. LEAD exists to establish a new system of response and care for people who live with unmanaged behavioral health needs, deep experiences of complex trauma, cognitive disabilities, persistent poverty and often lifelong experiences of punishment, failure, betrayal, and marginalization—people who are not served by office‑based, appointment‑based, and time‑limited care.

• Provide peer outreach, direction, and support.
• Provide opportunities for formal and informal peer support among participants.
• Help organize and facilitate community events and experiences for participants.
• Assist LEAD team with participant engagement and make suggestions for engaging participants who display ongoing reluctance or otherwise decline outreach.
• Help participants identify wanted and needed services and assist with connection to those services as well as scheduling appointments.
• Transport participants to services and provide support at those service appointments via agency vehicle.
• Provide advocacy for participants.
• Conduct outreach, make follow‑ups and complete service plans for participants identified in maintenance stage.
• Attend Operation Work group (OWG) as scheduled and any other community‑based meetings as suggested or appointed by supervisor or delegate.
• Must develop and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with all LEAD partners and other service providers, law enforcement, and LEAD participants demonstrating ability to provide street‑based outreach and engagement with complex population.
• Willing and able to engage in the policies and procedures related to managing crisis situations in the community as outlined by the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral and Community Health and the LEAD Project Manager (may include but not limited to contacting helpline, mobile crisis team, the police, and/or utilizing the Dutchess County Stabilization Center).
• Attend City of Poughkeepsie Court to facilitate diversion referrals and meet with participants in attendance.
• To perform duties assigned by supervisor or delegate, otherwise not listed above.

• Experience engaging individuals with complex needs, including substance use disorder, mental and physical health concerns, homelessness and trauma.
• Comfortable working with individuals who are actively using.
• Familiarity with and ability to support harm reduction strategies.
• Ability to comfortably work on a team and in collaboration with law enforcement.
• Focus on person‑centered and trauma‑informed care.
• Strong time management and problem‑solving skills.
• Willingness to conduct street outreach and work in the community outside of an office setting.
• Lived experience with behavioral health challenges, along with strong personal awareness.
• Certification as a NYS Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) is preferred, but NOT required.
• Driver’s license and ability to be insured, as well as passing background checks and clearances.

Site Director, Dutchess County Stabilization Center