Peer Support Specialist, Behavioral Health

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Peer Support Specialists function as role models to peers, exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills to serve as a consumer advocate and provide consumer information and peer support to help clients move out of shelter and into housing. Responsibilities include:

• Perform a wide range of tasks to help clients regain independence within the community, regain mastery over their own recovery process, and move out of shelter into permanent housing.
• Engage and build relationships and rapport with shelter guests, engaging them in Behavioral Health services.
• Coordinate, plan, and conduct Behavioral Health education classes, groups and events.
• Assist clients in applying for and obtaining vital documents—including social security cards, IDs, and birth certificates.
• Assist clients in completing various housing and housing-related applications, including BHA applications.
• Bring MATCH-enrolled clients on apartment viewings and lease signings as needed.
• Transport clients to related appointments, including medical, psychiatric, BHA, RMV, social security office, job fairs, furniture bank , etc.
• Assist clients obtaining any documentation for SSI/SSDI applications.
• Schedule appointments for clients with key partners and providers including the Mayor’s Health Line, community day shelters,
• Assist in locating clients to inform them of key housing events and opportunities.
• Accompany staff on wellness checks and other visits requiring multiple staff for safety reasons.
• Receive certification for peer support from the Department of Mental Health
• Performs other duties as assigned.