At Outside In we celebrate diversity and are deeply committed to equity and inclusion. We actively challenge systemic oppression and create a workplace where everyone belongs thrives and feels valued.

Benefits of Working at Outside In:

• 100% Employer-Paid Medical and Dental Insurance Plus life insurance at no cost.
• Retirement Plan 403(b) with employer contributions after meeting eligibility.
• Disability Coverage Employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Generous PTO & Holidays 18 days of PTO in the first year increasing annually plus 13 paid holidays.
• Loan Forgiveness Eligibility Qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Licensure Supervision Support for professional growth and credentialing.
• Flex & Wellness Benefits HRA contributions flexible spending accounts and an Employee Assistance Program.
• Discount Program Exclusive employee discounts on various products and services.

The Outpatient Peer Support Specialist works as a member of the BH treatment team providing treatment for individuals experiencing homelessness (TIEH). The BH outpatient team utilizes evidence-based trauma-informed counseling models as the primary mode of treatment. This position will bring knowledge and experience of the lifestyles of homeless youth and individuals who have lived experience with mental health and chemical dependency recovery. This position is onsite and community based.

Essential Duties

• Participate on a multi-disciplinary team that provides treatment services to individuals who have experienced health disparities related to race gender disability sexual orientation and housing status.
• Assist in administrative tasks including scheduling support no-show follow-ups and assisting individuals in completing initial intake paperwork.
• Participating in outreach activities is necessary to offer services and engage participation in a non-coercive manner.
• Create visibility for the project by providing information on available services to potential participants and building relationships with community partners.
• Provide assistance in accessing basic needs resources.
• Utilize a variety of engagement strategies to eliminate barriers to care for individuals facing housing insecurity.
• Coach participants to build and practice life skills.
• Participate in crisis planning and crisis intervention which may include after-hours work.
• Provide advocacy and assist participants in accessing the services and other resources they need.
• Coordinate access to shelter and housing services.
• Ensure timely documentation of services and outcomes.
• Serve as support for participants involved in this program by co-facilitating skills groups and helping participants to practice skills in the community.
• Adhere to all state and federal privacy regulations including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 and to Outside In policies and agreements regarding confidentiality privacy and security.
• Other duties as assigned.

Peer Housing Support:

• Identify affordable/eligible rental housing units based on youth preferences.
• Educate youth about available resources provide support and advocacy for them to access and navigate the resources they need.
• Complete administrative tasks directly related to rental assistance program compliance.
• Assist with placement and stabilization in permanent housing.
• Perform move-ins ensuring that people understand their rental agreements.
• Help coordinate furniture delivery or other furnishings needed by youth who transition into housing in the community.
• Proactively communicate and coordinate with community resources and supports.
• Involve and empower youth participants in generating community community norms and sense of ownership within activities programs housing and neighborhood.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all services and outcomes.

Case Support:

• Monitor youth participation in other services (employment education basic needs and activity services and shelter) and support youth progress on action steps towards their goals.
• Support youth to meet TLP expectations.
• Access flexible funding to assist in meeting needs and removing barriers to success.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge

• Knowledge of approaches to support others in recovery and resiliency and demonstrate efforts at self-directed recovery.
• Knowledge of housing supports and resources available to participants.
• Documentation and data entry regarding services and program deliverables.

Skills

• Ability to work with a diverse population and interact effectively with different types of people.
• Good engagement skills.
• Good communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to support agency goals and the operational functioning of the Behavioral Health Department.
• Ability to complete all required documentation and information input in a professional thorough and timely manner.
• Commitment to continual learning and quality performance.
• Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries and performance at all times.
• Ability to navigate technologies used in this position including Credible Behavioral Health Electronic Health Record MS Office Applications and Windows Server.
• Valid drivers license.
• Ability to be insured to drive participants in agency vehicle and car share.
• Preferred Skills
• Spanish/English fluency

Education and Experience

• Eligible to be State Certified as a Peer Specialist.
• One year experience working in a behavioral health treatment setting and/or providing services to young people experiencing homelessness and navigating trauma.
• Self-identification as a peer to those living with and recovering from a mental illness and/or a chemical dependency.
• If in recovery must be able to document continuous abstinence under independent living conditions or recovery housing for immediate past two years.
• Must be able to pass pre-employment drug screen and background check by the DHS Background Check Unit.
• Availability for after hours and holiday coverage rotation.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position includes working in a standard office environment as well as a variety of community locations to offer community-based treatment. This means that the employee will meet with participants in community locations which may include the participants home hospital and other surrounding community settings. The employee will be responsible for transporting participants in a rented vehicle.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This job requires operating phones computers and other office equipment. Communicating is required on a regular basis. Moving inside the building to other offices and program delivery spaces as well as moving to surrounding sites is expected; some transportation of peer participants is expected. This role can include moving boxes and/or items weighing up to 25 pounds.