Youth Support Services Provider

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE:  YOUTH SUPPORT SERVICES

REPORTS TO:  Supervisor or Director

STATUS:  EXEMPT

MAIN FUNCTION: The Youth Support Services Peer Support Specialist will provide support primarily to school-age youth and will also work with young adults and adults as needed. The specialist will use direct experience with mental health services to collaborate with, coach, and support individuals as they pursue recovery, resiliency, self-advocacy, and their own culturally specific life goals. Services may be provided in schools and other community settings throughout the counties and areas served by the agency, with travel and appointments scheduled at times that work best for clients. The specialist will collaborate with mental health providers and assist clients and parents/guardians with completing paperwork as needed. This position is responsible for providing crisis coverage as part of an on-call rotation and may include evening and weekend responsibilities. This position will help screen, triage, and refer to the appropriate level of care and services.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate closely with therapists, other agency providers, and community partners to coordinate and connect clients with mental health and support services as well as provide ongoing care and consultation as needed.
• Assist clients and parents/guardians, as applicable, with completing paperwork needed to establish and maintain services and other required documentation as needed.
• Facilitate small groups as appropriate to client and program needs.
• Assist clients in understanding components of recovery and resiliency and in applying skills to achieve life goal, with support tailored to each individual’s age and needs.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with individuals and groups from diverse populations.
• Locate available resources, training, or skill-building opportunities that will help clients achieve their goals.
• Maintain up to date client charts in accordance with agency and state standards. Complete appropriate documentation in accordance with agency policy and procedures.
• Travel to other counties and areas served by the agency as needed to meet with clients in schools and other community settings at times that work best for them.
• Provide crisis support and intervention services including screening, triage, and safety planning.
• Will be a part of the on-call rotation to maintain coverage of the crisis line which may include evenings and weekends.
• Attends scheduled supervisory, all-staff, and community-based staff meetings (as needed).
• Participates in community events as assigned.
• Participates in a committee as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Demonstrates ability to form positive relationships with clients and demonstrates appropriate boundaries with clients, families, referral sources, and collaborating entities.
• Ability to form cooperative and supportive relationships with staff/agency.
• Maintains ethics and confidentiality as dictated by profession.
• Maintains certifications as needed.
• Strong interpersonal skills in working with diverse
• Skills in verbal and written communication.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of an AA Degree or equivalent experience.
• Identification as having direct lived experience in accordance with peer support services and able to bring this experience to ensure services, supports, and goals are driven by the individual served.
• Hold, or have the ability to obtain and maintain, the State of Nebraska Peer Support Specialist credential in good standing, including any applicable certification or licensure required for the role.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

*****Student loan repayment opportunities may be available for this position*****