Peer Counselor - WISe Wraparound Services

				Overview:

Our Commitment to Equity 
The Y actively promotes a culture free from bias and injustice. We are dedicated to removing institutional and systemic barriers that result in oppression and racism. We will be accountable to marginalized communities for creating equitable and sustainable environments where social justice is woven into every facet of our programs, and by caring for our communities in a culturally versatile and respectful manner.

Job Summary

You will provide culturally competent, and strength-based peer support to youth and their families to decrease crisis and increase in-home stabilization by identifying support and teaching  youth skills to effectively navigate community resources to meet their needs.  You will be providing services in client homes, schools or other convenient community locations. The goals of Youth Peer Support include supporting youth empowerment, assisting youth in developing skills to improve their overall functioning and quality of life.  You will collaborate with co-workers, supervisors, outside professionals and others involved in delivering the youth's care to meet safety plan needs and action plan goals, acting as a bridge between the youth, family and system representatives.  

This position serves as the peer support for the King County WISe wraparound intensive mental health services. A peer support specialist plays an intricate role in team-based planning process for youth and families who are experiencing complex needs. Peers are designed to help youth develop advocacy and empowerment skills to better obtain their identified goals and so that they may live in their homes and communities successfully.

* This team member will work collaboratively with supervisors, clinicians, case managers, and all team providers to help implement an individualized plan of care, monitor the efficacy of the plan, and work towards success over time.
* This plan of care is based on strengths and needs that respect the youth's and their family's culture, values, norms, and preferences

This position is at the Social Impact Center Y, the social services branch of YMCA of Greater Seattle (YGS). The mission of the Social Impact Center Y is to accelerate young people's ability to build safe, successful, and happy lives. Every year, we serve 5,000 children, youth, young adults, and families across King County with programs that aim to strengthen young people's ability to develop to their fullest potential through four strategies: reducing risk factors; navigating systems towards successful life transition; ensuring stability, safety and wellness in times of crisis; and building competencies and social capital. The Social Impact Center Y's programs include housing, behavioral health, foster care licensing, violence prevention, education, and employment. Many of the young people we serve have had involvement in the foster care, criminal justice system, and/or homelessness systems.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work 

This is a full-time position with expected hours of Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. This is a community based role. 

What you'll get from working at The Y

* Membership to the YMCA of Greater Seattle for you and your household 

* Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance 

* Retirement with 12% employer contributions after 2 years of services - see Y Retirement for more information. Other Savings plans available upon hire. 

* Free access to mental health resources 

* Rapidly accruing paid time off (PTO) 

* Discounts on qualifying YMCA of Greater Seattle childcare, day camp, overnight camp and outdoor leadership programs. 25% for part-time staff, 50% for full-time staff. 

* Direct care staff in the Social Impact Center receive monthly personal Wellness days in addition to existing PTO and Paid Holiday benefits 

* Some benefits only available to full-time staff 

Hiring Range:  

Pre-Certified Peer Counselor: Hiring Range: $22.00 - 24.00/hr 

Certified Peer Counselor: Hiring Range: $24.00 - 27.00/hr 

**Required qualifications listed below 

Responsibilities:

* Provides both immediate and scheduled crisis outreach services to families in King County.
* Flexes schedule to include evenings and possible weekends to meet the needs of families.
* Assist youth in developing self-determination and empowerment skills through self-advocacy.
* Promote positive self-advocacy skills and empower youth voice and choice in all phases of the process.
* Identify youth stresses, instability and provide appropriate support.
* Help team members, system partner, providers and family understand youth culture and age-appropriate strengths, needs and challenges.
* Identifies community resources and natural supports and works with the youth to effectively navigate resources.
* Share stories and experiences that promote learning, recovery and hope.
* Collaborates effectively with co-workers, supervisors and outside professionals to meet action plan goals.
* Role models positive communication with all team members.
* Encourages the youth in completing action steps, through motivation, support, and reminders.
* Assists the youth to identify the successes they have had and the lessons they have learned through the WISe process.
* Partners with the care coordinator and clinician in the development of the crisis stabilization plan to make sure the plans are individualized and based on youth voice and choice.
* Transports youth to appointments, meetings, or other locations as needed to support the action plan and linkage to community resources.
* Works with families to build their own "Child & Family Team". Attends wrap around and other team meetings to support youth and ensure that their voice is heard.  Acts as a role model for effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
* Works with the care coordinator and clinician to make sure youth needs are met for the WISe meetings.
* Empowers youth voice and choice at the WISe team meetings.
* Maintains a working knowledge of current trends and developments in behavioral health.
* Completes required documentation within program deadlines.
* Reports all critical incidents and adheres to YMCA program rules and procedures.
* Other duties as assigned.

*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Code of Conduct for Applicants 

All employees and volunteers are responsible for adhering to abuse prevention policies, maintaining appropriate boundaries, completing required training, reporting suspicious or inappropriate behavior, and complying with mandated reporting requirements.  

Responsible for ensuring staff are properly screened, trained, supervised and held accountable to the organization's abuse risk management standards. 

Qualifications:

* Minimum age of 21 years
* Lived experience in receiving services as a youth in complex, child serving systems (juvenile justice, behavioral health, child welfare, special education preferred) and is prepared to use that experience in helping others
* Other applicable education, training, and experience, which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position will be considered.
* Ability to work independently and as a part of a team
* Ability to effectively communicate with others
* Ability to set priorities and manage time effectively
* Ability to use a computer and work with Microsoft Windows Outlook and electronic health records data system.
* Trained in and familiar with recovery model and able to assist families and youth to focus on their strengths, utilize their voice and partner with their team.
* Demonstrated ability to engage youth and their families in a structured process to verbalize their needs, develop an individualized care plan, and transition to reliance on natural supports. 
* Knowledge of community services and resources including: support groups, mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, juvenile justice,
			

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