Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialist

About Inspirica

Inspirica strives to end homelessness and housing insecurity by helping individuals and families achieve stability through support services and affordable housing. We are one of the largest providers of services to the homeless in Connecticut and the largest in Fairfield County.

In FY21, we housed over 500 adults and children in 12 residential facilities, including emergency shelters, transitional, deeply affordable, and permanent supportive housing, and rapid rehousing. Our support services are similarly comprehensive and include vocational training, workforce education, job placement, housing placement, job & housing retention support, early childhood & parenting services, children's services, health care, counseling, case management, and more. Additionally, we provide direct access to mental health, psychiatric and dental care, and substance abuse treatment through a network of strategic partnerships.

We are a results-oriented organization with a caring professional staff and dedicated volunteers who believe in individual human potential, personal accountability, and mutual respect.

Program Overview

Inspirica’s Support Services (Early Childhood and Parenting Programs, Children’s Services, Jumpstart Career Program, and Housing Placements) wrap around our Residential Services to provide our clients with the critical resources they need to break the cycle of homelessness.

Position Overview

The Peer Support Specialist will leverage their lived experiences with mental health, substance use, and/or homelessness to help engage, motivate, and inspire residents of temporary and permanent supportive housing.

Primary Responsibilities
• Provide services through the lens of lived experience.
• Facilitation of educational, socialization, mental health and substance use prevention support groups.
• Collaboration with Support Services to facilitate engagement and motivation to participate in Career Services, Housing Coordination, Children’s Services, and/or ECPP.
• Sharing insights at integration meetings and with relevant case managers and other staff.
• Assist with the facilitation of educational, healthy living, and nutrition workshops.
• Connect with clients who are disengaged with services and guide them back towards engagement.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
• Must have completed the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). Recovery Assistant Training and have received the Certification, or intend to complete the certification process within the first 6 months of hire.
• If certified, must be registered with DMHAS as having completed an approved Recovery. Assistant training program and will be able to meet any continuing education and/or training requirements set by DMHAS.
• High School Diploma Required.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Adherence to Inspirica’s core values.
• Strict confidentiality concerning resident’s personal information.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Exudes a personable, engaging, supportive, and encouraging energy to residents and staff
• Valid driver’s license, insurance, and good driving record.

Candidates should submit resume and cover letter in WORD FORMAT, by e-mail with “Peer Support Specialist” in the subject line to: search@InspiricaCT.org

Inspirica is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including age, disability, race, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, the presence of a non-job-related handicap, or any other legally protected status.

Candidates should submit resume and cover letter in WORD FORMAT, by e-mail with “Peer Support Specialist” in the subject line to: search@InspiricaCT.org