The Mental Health Association of Westchester (MHA) is a community-based not-for-profit committed to recovery-focused mental health services through advocacy, community education and direct services. We are recognized as the leader in Westchester in providing person-centered services that involve collaborating with each individual to achieve his or her goals.
MHA facilitates recovery by providing services that reflect our deeply held values that include the recognition of individual rights of self-determination, choice, shared decision-making and collaborative work. Our highly trained staff utilize evidence-based practices throughout our comprehensive array of trauma-informed and recovery-oriented services.
Through our robust services, as well as our advocacy programs and community events, MHA is able to meet the needs of thousands of men, women, children and families each year, helping them live independent lives in the community.
Join our Team! We have an exciting new opportunity for a Youth Peer Specialist in our White Plains, NY location.
SUMMARY of DUTIES
Our Clinics offer individual, group, family and medication services for individuals of all ages – and for a full range of behavioral health conditions. Our Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Program delivers behavioral health services to individuals who are uninsured and underinsured or have otherwise been unable to connect to needed services as well as to members of the military, veterans and their family members.
Youth Peer Specialist services are formal and informal services and supports provided to youth who are experiencing social, medical, emotional, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges in their home, school, placement, and/or community. These services provide the support necessary to ensure engagement and active participation of the youth in the treatment planning process and support the ongoing implementation and reinforcement of recovery.
SPECIFIC DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Engage the youth in a variety of strategies to work toward identified goals, including but not limited to: strengthening problem solving skills; providing mentoring; engaging in community resource exploration; and providing life skills support.
2. Engage in regular communication with the child’s treatment team, to ensure continuity of CCBHC services.
3. Engage as part of an interdisciplinary CCBHC team to support youth through recovery.
4. Document client progress and maintain a permanent record of client activity according to established methods and procedures.
5. Practice with a person-centered, trauma informed philosophy in alignment with the values of MHA.
6. Attend community and internal meetings as requested.
7. Due to the nature of the program, must be able to work a flexible schedule.
8. Other designated or related duties.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS
1. Knowledge of the signs of psychiatric crises and peer engagement skills/de-escalation techniques.
2. Highly organized and self-motivated.
3. Familiarity with and ability to use an Electronic Health Record system.
QUALIFICATIONS
1. The Youth Peer Specialist must have a high school diploma, high school equivalency, or a State Education Commencement Credential (SACC or CDOS)
2. Ideal candidate for this position must be an individual within the age range of 18 to 30 who has self-identified as a consumer of mental health services, juvenile justice system, substance use services, special education services, or foster care.
3. Must be eligible for the Youth Peer Advocate Provisional Credential and be willing to participate in the training toward Youth Peer Advocate Professional Credential.
4. Basic Computer knowledge is required.
5. Must be reliable and able to work independently and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
6. The Youth Peer Specialist must have a valid Driver’s License and a driving record that is satisfactory to our insurance carrier.
7. The Youth Peer Specialist must maintain current New York State Defensive Driving certification.
8. The Youth Peer Specialist must be cleared by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs Staff Exclusion List (SEL) and the New York State Medicaid Exclusion List.
9. The Youth Peer Specialist must be cleared by the NYS Justice Center through fingerprinting for a Criminal History Records search.
10. The Youth Peer Specialist must be cleared by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services for instances of child abuse and/or neglect.
11. The Youth Peer Specialist must be legally eligible to work in the United States.
MHA of Westchester is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to cultural competency, diversity, and inclusion and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by the applicable law.
To apply, please send your cover letter and résumé by e-mail to employment@mhawestchester.org with “Youth Peer Specialist” as the subject line of the e-mail. Thank you.