Peer Engagement Specialist

Pay Range:  $22.89 - $26.32/hr

Schedule: Sunday - Thursday, 7am - 3:30pm

Office Location:8541 S State St. Chicago IL 60619

The Peer Engagement Specialist will assess the client’s personal, medical, emotional, social, and environmental situation to plan for treatment course through home, community, and office (drop-in center) visits.  They will provide individually based motivational mentoring and support to clients to assist them in their recovery from substance use and mental health issues.  The Peer Engagement Specialist will be an advocate for clients and link them to community services and referrals for additional resources as needed.  They will provide client-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed services to clients with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health issues utilizing a harm reduction approach.  The Peer Engagement Specialist will utilize their own lived experience to build relationships and engagement with clients that are experiencing homelessness, not engaged in more traditional forms of treatment, and bring support to them in the community. 

 Essential Responsibilities: 

• Assess client’s personal, medical, emotional, social, and environmental situation through home, community, and office visits. 
• Implement assertive engagement strategies with potential clients to bring them into services and assist with linkage to needed treatment.
• Provide community referrals to agencies that can support the needs of clients with a holistic approach such as linkage to PCP, benefits, food pantries, clothing closets, employment, substance use treatment and recovery groups, housing, etc and collaborate with community providers involved in the client’s care.
• Model good communication skills, recovery-oriented living skills, effective coping skills, and self-help strategies
• Actively participate in Peer Support meetings and activities to gain additional support in position.
• Aware of individual signs of burnout/feeling overwhelmed and knows how to get and provide support.
• Acquire a CRSS credential within 18 months of hire
• Provide training and education to clients and community members to increase knowledge of substance use and mental health issues and available resources.
• Conduct outreach visits to people experiencing homelessness such as under viaducts, in encampments, shelters, parks etc.
• Complete daily progress notes based on services provided to clients in a timely manner reflected in Trilogy’s documentation standards
• Complete all necessary documentation related to client care and requirements for the CORS grant. 
• Recognize and act on opportunities to move clients to appropriate levels of care; provide referrals to additional services as indicated.
• Assist clients in identifying signs and symptoms of de-compensation, assess for crisis situations and or the need for stabilization through hospitalization.  Work collaboratively with clients to identify coping skills to assist in managing symptoms and stressors experienced.
• Utilize motivational interviewing to engage and support clients in their substance use while recognizing stages of change.
• Assist clients in learning and improving independent living skills; i.e. personal hygiene, housekeeping skills, nutrition, and shopping for food and personal items
• Educate and assist clients with applying for entitlements; i.e. Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and LINK
• Support clients in obtaining necessary documentation for housing opportunities and other needs (Birth certificate, SS card, State ID etc)
• Support clients experiencing homelessness with getting linked to the CES, SRN and other housing waitlists
• Accompany and transport clients to important appointments in the community and provide support with issues related to housing, substance use, budgeting, social support, and medication.
• Advocate on client’s behalf and empower clients to advocate on behalf of themselves when appropriate
• Communicate and collaborate effectively within the team model for a multi-disciplinary approach to client care.
• Actively participate in team communication via multiple electronic platforms and regularly engage in team meetings
• Perform other related duties and/or projects as assigned

Qualifications

• Any individual who is 21 years of age or older that has a GED or high school diploma and demonstrates all of the following:
• • Skill in the delivery of rehabilitative services to adults
  • The ability to work within a provider agency's structure and accept supervision; and
  • The ability to work constructively with individuals receiving services, other providers of service, and the community; or an individual certified as a Peer Support Worker
• CRSS certification through IAODAPCA within 12 months of hire
• Must be a past or present consumer of mental health or mental health and substance abuse services and is willing to share their personal story of recovery with our clients.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license with daily access to a well-maintained vehicle with $100,000/$300,000 liability insurance  
• Experience working with people with mental health and/or substance abuse diagnoses preferred
• Experience in community-based services preferred

Benefits

• FREE Virtual Primary Care, Urgent Care, and Mental Health Counseling for ALL Employees
• PAID Maternity/Paternity leave
• Medical Insurance (BCBS of IL)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term & Short-Term Disability
• Pet Insurance
• FSA (Health, Dependent Care, Transit)
• Telemedicine
• EAP
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match