Peer Advocate Housing

Job Summary: In accordance with the organization’s mission, vision and values, the Housing Peer Advocate is an active member in the FLACRA team providing peer support services to clients with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder. The Housing Peer Advocate will serve as a role model, mentor, advocate, and motivator to recovering individuals in order to help promote long-term recovery. The Housing Peer Advocate will also assist with the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data entry.

Duties

• Serves as an active member of the client’s treatment team, including participation in team meetings and treatment planning meetings.
• Assists clients in the development of their recovery plan, including psychiatric advance directives and crisis planning.
• Provides psychoeducation with a focus on illness management and peer support.
• Implements and coordinates recovery plans for individual clients in the housing program, including evaluation, consultation, education, and follow-up services.
• Serves as a role model for clients by sharing own recovery process and teaching effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• Provides case management, resourcing, and service collaboration for individual client’s as an extension from the Housing Case Managers services.
• Maintains accurate, thorough records on all assigned cases, and uses documentation to assist clients in evaluating progress.
• Provides advocacy services on behalf of the clients.
• Informs supervisor, and other members of treatment team, of issues/concerns related to individual clients.
• Participates in required trainings to maintain certification.
• Knowledge of Crisis Intervention and Early Engagement.
• Enter HMIS data into ServicePoint
• Perform other duties and functions as directed.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: High School Diploma or GED. Valid NYS Drivers’ License. Applicants must have lived experience with homelessness and substance use disorder and/or mental illness. New York State Certified Peer Support Advocate or Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (or ability to complete certification process) required.

Other Skills/Knowledge and Experience

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Valid driver license required as well as maintaining personal vehicle's valid registration and inspection for use to independently visit various client sites, transport clients to/from appointments, interact with key stakeholders/providers in the community as well as attend community meetings on a regular basis.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with culturally diverse persons, staff, and community service providers.
• Knowledge of local behavioral health service system.
• Ability to multi-task, have good problem solving & time management skills and the ability to remain calm in a crisis.
• E-record.