Youth Peer Support Specialist/Trainee & CANS Screener - WISe Program

The WISe Youth Peer Support Specialist is a hybrid Youth Peer Support Specialist and CANS (Child & Adolescent Needs & Strengths) Screener position. On average, staff in this position complete 10-15 CANS screens per week and maintain a small caseload of 5-8 clients. The WISe Youth Peer Support Specialist is to provide targeted support services, and to assist in the provision of a system of care that is child-centered with the needs of the child and family determining the types and mix of services provided, to assist in preventing an out-of-home placement. To be effective, the WISe Youth Peer Support Specialist will work with children in their homes and communities and incorporate the entire family in the treatment program, focusing on their strengths as well as the child’s age and cultural heritage. The WISe Peer Support Specialist is specially trained to work as a part of a wraparound team providing services to WISe enrolled youth and families in their home and community within all phases and activities of WISe.

The WISe Youth Peer Support Specialist is responsible for completing the initial CANS assessment with youth and/or caregivers to assess eligibility for WISe services. CANS assessments are completed primarily in an office setting over the phone but may be completed in person at the individual’s place of residence or at a community location based on client need and preferences. The Youth Peer Support Specialist determines eligibility for WISe services based on information gathered during the CANS assessment and coordinates with the WISe Enrollment team to determine next steps if the youth is eligible for enrollment. If a youth does not meet eligibility criteria for WISe services, the Youth Peer Support Specialist helps identify and provide education around other services in the community based on the youth and family’s needs and preferences and make referrals as appropriate.

This is a specialized position requiring a willingness to work a flexible 24/7 schedule in rotation with other clinical staff assigned to the WISe Team.

This position requires a willingness to be part of an on-call supervisor rotation, including weekends and evenings, for support and consultation of crisis calls with the on-call WISe clinical provider.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.

• Provide education about the WISe program, service intensity, and eligibility criteria to persons seeking WISe services at FBH to help ensure precision of fit of referrals.

• Provide initial CANS assessments for people seeking WISe services at FBH to determine if eligibility requirements for WISe have been met.

• Conduct initial CANS screening and complete WISe service enrollment to ensure timely and efficient completion of enrollment services.  

• Provide education and referrals to appropriate community providers for persons who are not eligible for, or able to benefit from, WISe services at FBH.

• Complete clinical paperwork (CANS assessment, progress notes, etc.) in a timely, accurate, and legible manner.

• As a member of a multi-disciplinary team, assist clinicians in the development of treatment objectives and interventions for clients seeking mental health services.

• Provide supportive services, drawing on common experiences as a peer, providing on-going support to all WISe team family members by encouraging them to regain hope in, and control over, their own lives, and to be active participants in their child’s episode of care.

• Identify services and activities that promote recovery by instilling hope and experiences which lead to meaning and purpose and which decrease stigma in the environments in which they serve.

• Promote personal responsibility for recovery as the individual client or mental health service defines recovery.

• Serve as a client advocate and provide client information and peer support in a range of settings.

• Participate in a multi-disciplinary team approach to provide peer support and case management services to individuals in a manner appropriate to the individual client and WISe team needs.

• Provide appropriate individual and group services for enrolled clients including facilitating recovery groups.

• Ensure each WISe child/family is heard and their individual family needs are being addressed and met.

• WISe Youth Peer will be committed to ensuring that the youth has a voice in their own care and that are active participants in the WISe Process.

• Serve as a peer advocate to help empower families in gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to be able to guide and actively participate in their child’s treatment.

• Develop and maintain linkages with community resources that benefit clients

• Engage with clients and families prior to discharge from inpatient psychiatric care, participate (as appropriate) in discharge planning and assist families as they transition into the community and back to their families.

• Assist families in need or in times of crisis with finding appropriate resources for stabilization in the least restrictive environment appropriate.

• Work with youth and families in preparation of graduating from WISe services.

• Work with clients in preparation of graduating from services.

• Maintain client records and all other required documentation in a timely and confidential manner, in accordance with agency policies and practices.

• Will need to maintain close communication with other WISe team members, and other clinical and administrative staff to assure the highest quality of services is delivered to the youth consumer and his/her family.

• Requires travel to see clients in the community and travel between work sites either via FBH owned Vehicles and/or personal vehicle.

• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WILL HAVE:

REQUIRED:

1. Self-identify as an individual who as a youth who experienced emotional and behavioral challenges and engaged in behavioral health services and has been in recovery for one or more years.

2.Certified Peer Support Specialist or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee Credential from the WA State Department of Health OR:

• If an Applicant does not have an active or pending Certified Peer Support Specialist or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee Credential from the WA State Department of Health, then must apply for the Certified Peer Support Specialist TRAINEE credential within 90 days of start date.

• For more information about Certified Peer Support Specialist Credentials from the WA State Dept. of Health, please visit: https://doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/professions-new-renew-or-update/peer-support-specialist.

3. High School diploma or equivalent

4. Must have an unrestricted and valid driver’s license, active car insurance and must be willing to use their personal vehicle in the course of work. 

PREFERRED:

• Two years' experience working in a community behavioral health setting. 

PHYSICAL, SENSORY & ENVIRONMENTAL:

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This position provided client services in community settings on a daily basis.  Community settings include but are not limited to residences, group/congregate living settings, hospitals, shelters, the streets or anywhere in the community at large.

• Some environments may not be ideal in terms of cleanliness or being habitable.

• Daily travel between locations is required.

• The ability to drive a vehicle, traverse distances up to several city blocks and on various terrains, navigate stairs, get in and out of vehicles frequently is required.

• Daily use of a computer is required.

• May be required to lift 10 - 20 pounds. 

• Blood-borne Pathogen Category III - No predictable exposure to blood-borne pathogens.