Peer Specialist

Peer Specialist

Peer Specialist 150 150 stanley.yang
Institute of Community Living
Published
October 20, 2021
Location
New York
Category
Health  
Job Type

Description

Job Summary

OARS (Older Adult Recovery Supports) which will offer enriched mental health engagement, treatment and recovery services for low/moderate income older adults age 55+ with mental illness, including serious mental illness (SMI) or Co-occurring Conditions. Within this population, we will further prioritize residents of Hispanic/ Latinx background (many of whom are monolingual in Spanish). The geographic catchment area is comprised of three Brooklyn, NY neighborhoods that have been most severely impacted by COVID-19, including Community District (CD) 3 (Bedford-Stuyvesant), CD5 (East New York/Starrett City/Cypress Hills), and CD16 (Ocean Hill/ Brownsville). These three CDs are home to a combined 420,000 residents, with a majority from communities of color: 61% are Black, 27% are Latinx; 29% are foreign-born, and 13% have limited English Proficiency. Approximately 25% of residents are age 55+, and 14% are age 65+, according to US Census data.[i] The NYC Department for the Aging reports that poverty among the 65+ age group ranged from 22% in Cypress Hill to 42% in Starrett City, with an average of 29% across CDs and above the rates for Brooklyn (18%) and NYC (16%) (2019).

These neighborhoods are among the most at-risk, high-need areas in NYC in terms of social determinants of health (SDOH) and disproportionately poor health outcomes – East New York and Bedford-Stuyvesant are Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) as designated by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).38 Detrimental conditions were reflected in the devastation caused by COVID-19, as these neighborhoods had case and death rates significantly above the NYC averages: Between them, these neighborhoods recorded 10,588 cases per 100,000 residents (NYC: 9,149) and a death rate of 530/100,000 (NYC: 328); East New York, in particular, was hit hard, with a death rate of 945/100,000, the highest rate of COVID-19 deaths in the city. As elsewhere, older New Yorkers were most at risk, with poverty and/or being of Latinx or African-American background compounding the likelihood of becoming infected, hospitalized, or succumbing to COVID-19.

The Peer Specialist is responsible for assisting individuals to develop personal and meaningful life goals, and to access resources, services, and/or natural supports to enhance recovery. Using lived experience, the Peer Specialist will build positive relationships with individuals and provide outreach, advocacy, and recovery support services.

Essential Job Functions

  • Builds relationships with individuals leading to the development of life goals and enhanced engagement in recovery
  • Links individuals to resources, services and natural supports internally at ICL and in the external community to support attainment of recovery goals
  • Works with individuals to increase positive social connections and develop stronger family connections, improve life skills including obtaining necessary resources, and empower the individual to increase wellness self-management
  • Documents all interactions in confidential records
  • Collaborates with providers in developing service plans with individuals
  • Teaches effective wellness self-management skills through the lens of lived experience
  • Promotes linkage to services by assisting individuals with the coordination of appointments, providing appointment reminders and escorting and/or driving to appointments based on the individual’s needs and preferences
  • Collaborates with other ICL programs to implement social and community activities
  • Models skills that may assist person in reaching their recovery goals
  • Facilitate or co-facilitate psychoeducational or health education groups
  • Provides guidance to staff on providing culturally responsive services to individuals in recovery
  • Participates in program staff meetings to promote efficient communication
  • Participates in case conferences to promote service coordination
  • Participates in monthly support/training meetings
  • Meets weekly for supervision
  • Ability to report to work regularly as scheduled and on time

Minimum Qualifications

  • Education: High School Diploma or GED
  • Experience: Lived experience receiving services for mental health and/or substance use, and a commitment to assist others in attaining recovery and wellness goals.
  • Peer Certification or Completion of Peer Training programs preferred

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Good written and verbal communication skills; computer proficiency required.
  • Sensitivity to issues involved in working in a diverse organization is essential
  • Ability to work independently and also collaboratively with other team members
  • Ability to interact appropriately and respectfully with clients, staff and community members
  • Cultural responsiveness; Spanish-speaking preferred

How To Apply

Apply on here or our website: iclinc.org