Peer Support Specialist

Denver, CO$25 - $25 / hourPosted 2 weeks ago

Full-Timeonsite

Job Description

The mission of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is to work collaboratively toward the prevention of homelessness and the creation of lasting solutions for homeless and at-risk families, children, and individuals throughout Colorado. The Coalition advocates for and provides a continuum of housing and a variety of services to improve the health, well-being, and stability of those it serves.

Our Philosophy of Service: We believe all people have the right to adequate housing and health care. We work to remove the barriers that restrict access to these rights. Society benefits when adequate housing and health care are available to everyone. We create lasting solutions to homelessness by:

· Honoring the inherent dignity of those we serve, affirming their capabilities and fostering their hope that a better life is possible.

· Building strong, caring and trauma-informed communities through the integration of housing, health care and supportive services.

· Advocating for social and racial equity, inclusion and diversity, and challenging the status quo in partnership with our workforce members and those we serve.

· Achieving excellence through continuous quality assurance, innovation and professional development.

· Using resources judiciously and effectively.

This position will support clients at our Champa, West End Flats, Concord Plaza and Loretto Heights locations. Mileage reimbursement at 72.5 cents per mile is offered.

The Peer Specialist partners with families participating in Family Support Services [FSS] housing program to facilitate a self-directed change process aimed at improving health and well-being. This position works collaboratively with families and CCH teams towards the general goals of increasing family stability, improving family functioning, increasing the self-sufficiency of the family, promote recovery from substance use, harm reduction, a sense of purpose, and connection with one’s community. The primary function of the Peer Specialist is to provide peer support and navigation/coordination services to assist clients in accessing the resources and developing the personal skills they need to:

1. Secure and maintain stable housing;
2. Establish or remain engaged with healthcare services to improve and/or maintain overall health and well-being;
3. Establish positive and supportive social connections within the community;
4. Identify and pursue meaningful activities that provide a sense of purpose and personal satisfaction.

Additional Requirement

Valid driver’s license required. This requirement may be waived, if necessary, based on overall candidate experience and current needs of the business.

Coalition Benefits

Choice of HMO or PPO health insurance coverage options: full-time employees contribute only 1% of their earnings for their own HMO health coverage and no more than 4% of their earnings for coverage of eligible dependents. We’re proud to offer same-and opposite-sex domestic partner coverage.
Choice of dental insurance or discount plan.
Vision insurance.
Flexible spending accounts for health care / dependent care / parking expenses.
Free basic life and AD&D insurance coverage.
Employee Assistance Program, a problem-solving resource available to you and your household members.
Dollar-for-dollar retirement plan matching contributions up to 5% of earnings with 3-year vesting.
Extensive paid time-off, including 9 holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and three weeks of vacation for new full-time employees in their first year.

The effective date for your benefits will be the first of the month following your date of hire.

Essential Job Functions

Utilizes relevant personal experience to establish supportive, trusting relationships with peers to inspire hope and resilience and to foster the belief that recovery is possible.
Mentors peers regarding goal setting, skill-building and problem-solving activities with an emphasis on peer strengths and empowerment.
Provides individual and group peer counseling and support for peers in recovery. Provides guidance and encouragement to promote responsibility and participation in recovery.
Provides patient navigation and care coordination services in close collaboration with FSS case managers, clinicians, other CCH staff, and other community partners.
Guides peers through the healthcare system, facilitates interaction and communication between peers and health care staff and providers, and advocates on behalf of peers’ interests and goals.
Transports/arranges transport and/or escorts peers to scheduled appointments at SSHC and elsewhere, as requested by program participants.
Outreaches peers in the community to assess status and monitor needs.
Works cooperatively with property managers and other residence staff to assure proper and timely services for peers and to maintain positive relationships with management and fellow residents.
Links peers with resources and supports within the community to increase social integration and sense of connectedness.
Serves as liaison with collaborating agencies to establish and maintain effective working relationships for the benefit of the peers.
Facilitates group activities to promote social engagement and community connection.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications Summary

Experience, competence and sensitivity in working with homeless individuals, especially for those who have been unable to successfully navigate mainstream services.
Sound critical thinking and decision-making skills.
Consistently superb customer service skills; excellent interpersonal/assertive communications skills demonstrating a high degree of emotional intelligence.
Able to communicate effectively with diverse population.
Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

$25 - $25 an hour

WHERE A CANDIDATE IS PLACED IN THE COMPENSATION RANGE DEPENDS ON TOTAL RELEVANT YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

Employee must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of self or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Employee will perform job according to applied laws. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is committed to delivering services, making employment-related decisions, selecting volunteers, and selecting vendors without regard to age over 40, race, sex, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, military status, or any other applicable status protected by law.

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