Peer Support Specialist for Peer Run Youth Crisis Respite (Hays County)

**HILL COUNTRY MHDD CENTERS IS OFFERING A $2,000 SIGN-ON BONUS TO

ALL MENTAL HEALTH POSITIONS THAT ARE FULL-TIME, NEW HIRE
EMPLOYEES*

Help us help others:

The Peer Specialist, by definition, is a person in recovery who will utilize their personal mental health recovery experience to instill a sense of hope and optimism for individuals facing mental health challenges. The Peer Run Youth Crisis Respite Program (PRYCRP), also referred to as the Youth Peer Support Program (YPSP), supports youth from 13 to 17 years of age, as well as the individuals who support them at home.

Under the direction of the Program Director, the Peer Support Specialist will provide services and support to individuals enrolled in the program. The position provides peer services as part of a multi-disciplinary team in which all services and supports provided are recovery-oriented, person-centered, relationship-focused, and trauma-informed. These services may be provided to a youth or a group, and are aimed at assisting in the development of skills to promote long-term, sustainable recovery. This position assists the team and individuals to maximize and enhance individuals' experience and choice, self-determination, and decision-making in the planning and coordination of services.

The YPSP focuses on providing peer and family support, as well as access to essential resources for youth, their families, and supportive allies. It is a community-based initiative that includes peer support and family partner services. Additionally, the program aims to establish strong connections between the PRYCRP and various community-based organizations. These linkages are intended to enhance the support network within the community, thereby improving the overall health and well-being of the youth and their extended support networks.

Prior to being accepted for employment, applicants must be successfully established in their own recoveries. They must qualify to be a Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) as demonstrated by the completion of an attestation of lived experience. Must obtain and hold credentialing as a Mental Health Peer Specialist (MHPS) per the requirements and standards of the Texas Certification Board. This position requires flexibility in schedule, non-traditional hours, weekend hours, some travel, and availability for after-hours clinical/administrative consult.

You will get to:

Leadership:

• Provide practical, real-world support in coping with life's day-to-day demands through modeling and coaching approaches to mental health recovery.
• Promote the value of self-help, peer support, and personal empowerment to foster recovery.
• Coach individuals in positive skill-building techniques for improved life management (e.g., problem solving, coping skills, identifying and overcoming fears and negative self-talk).
• Organize, plan, and facilitate peer support groups.
• Manage a schedule to keep individuals served informed and updated on activities.
• Remains active and stable in one's own recovery to model and demonstrate progress toward mental health goals.
• Cultivate existing relationships with community partners and build new relationships, ensuring sufficient resources, MOUs, and access to services.
• Foster interagency collaboration and support to best address the needs of youth and families in PRYCRP.
• Build positive engagement and program awareness within the agency and community.
• Represent HCMHDDC PRYCRP in learning opportunities and Technical Assistance calls as needed.
• React to change productively and handle other tasks as assigned.

Professional Conduct:

• Maintains healthy professional relationships with co-workers and supervisors.
• Effectively and professionally manages conflict.
• Fosters positive workplace morale.
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.
• Adheres to the agency/program Dress Code.
• Communicate effectively.
• Complies with all HCMHDD Policies and Procedures.
• Attendance and full participation in meetings, CQI's, trainings, and staff seminars as required.
• Displays and adapts to a teachable attitude and a willingness to learn.
• Support the team and individuals served to maximize and enhance individuals' experience, choice, self-determination, and decision-making in the planning and coordination of services.
• Promote and maintain an atmosphere of respect, interest, and enthusiasm in the services provided.
• Seek supervisor consultation to ensure fidelity to the scope of practice and utilization of evidence-based approaches.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback and utilize it to improve areas of growth and development.

Program Operational Functions:

• Adhere to the program performance and delivery standards of PRYCRP.
• Supports the development, creation, and maintenance of the youth peer council.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate outreach and educational presentations, as required to expand and sustain the program in the community.
• Maintain a knowledge of program goals and the peer support model.
• Interact positively and in cooperation with other members of the organization and team, including active participation in supervision activities, team meetings, continuing education, etc.
• Maintains data tracking systems in an organized manner to comply with reporting and auditing requests in a timely fashion.
• Complete all documentation and reporting requirements thoroughly and on time.

Work Behaviors:

• Implements PRYCRP Peer Specialist services per contract guidelines and in fidelity with peer and family partner systems of care.
• Collaborates with intra-and inter-agency staff to ensure continuity of care for youth in services.
• Complete PRYCRP enrollments and required documentation.
• Submits all requisite paperwork to include timesheets, travel logs, service reports, and other required or requested documentation in an accurate and timely manner.
• Maintains comprehensive documentation that meets or exceeds HHSC standards.
• Utilizes Collaborative Documentation, and 95% of all documentation is entered within 24 hours.
• Comply with HIPAA and Protected Health Information (PHI)/Personally Identifiable Information (PII) policies/rules/laws/regulations to ensure confidentiality of all client information
• Comply with all HCMHDDC policies and procedures.
• Ensures timely communication within the department and with other departments and agencies via written correspondence, email, telephones, and other means to ensure project follow-through and completion.
• Work in collaboration with internal and external Children's Mental Health services and programs to ensure availability and continuity of care with PRYCRP.
• Provide face-to-face (including some virtual) service hours to reach or exceed service delivery measures.
• Provide timely notice to individuals served, supervisor, clinic director, and other necessary team members on changes to group schedules, appointments, etc.
• Maintain a Caseload on the spreadsheet provided by the Director of PRYCRP.
• A willingness to share your personal experience of mental health recovery.
• Develop meaningful, innovative, and impactful group engagement activities, based on the needs of the individuals of the group: with a "Whole Health" approach.
• Provide approved transportation of youth and family for program services.
• Provide youth peer services in multiple settings (home, school, and community).

You'll definitely need:

• Current enrollment and pursuit of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in human services - preferred
• A valid Texas State Driver's License.
• High school diploma/GED - required.
• Current automobile insurance and the ability to travel when necessary.

We'll also want you to:

• Performs other duties as required to meet program and departmental goals and objectives.
• Must be able to complete and maintain PMAB and CPR training certification successfully.
• Requires flexibility in schedule (evenings or weekends) and travel.

We're excited to provide:

• PPO health insurance plan with the option to add dependents.
• PPO dental plans and vision insurance options for healthy teeth and eyes.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• 401(a) plan, employer matches your contributions dollar for dollar up to 8% of your salary. You are 100% vested after 3 years of service.
• 457/403(b) plan, employees are immediately eligible to contribute pre-tax earnings to the plan for retirement.
• Generous paid time off for fun and vacations, and paid sick time for when you're under the weather.
• An authentic and caring environment where folks care about each other and want to do good in the world.

We can pay you:

$17.30 per hour and benefits