PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST (35 hrs/week)

The TurningPointCT Peer Support Specialist uses their lived experience with mental health and/or substance use in conjunction with their training in peer support to serve as an advocate, advisor, trainer and supporter for other young people in CT. The role includes: help the state expand and improve the availability of trained peer support for young people in behavioral health programs; provide direct peer support to young people on a limited basis; and contribute regularly to the TurningPointCT online platforms as a way of reaching young adults in the state.

Responsibilities:

1. Provide training, coaching, and peer advocacy to DMHAS Young Adult Services (YAS) program staff
2. Provide peer support and advocacy to YAS program clients
3. Outreach to clients of the Department of Children and Families and Court Support Services Department
4. Provide an annual peer support training (e.g., Recovery Coach Academy, Recovery University) for YAS clients and other young adults ready and interested in becoming peer support specialists
5. Provide limited peer support to CT youth and young adults through weekly drop-in hours on TurningPointCT.org social platforms or in person and occasional peer support group sessions as needed
6. Serve on identified state and young adult advisory boards (e.g., DMHAS Recovery Affairs, YLP and CT STAY STRONG) to provide input, share resources, coordinate and cross-pollinate across initiatives, and identify content areas for the TurningPointCT platform and social media
7. Provide input into state, DMHAS and Positive Directions efforts to develop policies and systems to strengthen peer support, including involvement with legislative workgroups related to peer support
8. Participate in weekly team meetings to share statewide young adult initiatives with the project staff
9. Create weekly blog posts for TurningPointCT.org and develop other content (podcasts, videos) on a regular basis

Requirements:

1. Identify as a peer to youth/young adults with lived experience with mental illness and/or substance misuse
2. Trained as Recovery Support Specialist or Recovery Coach
3. Strong personal interest in advocacy
4. Excellent oral and written communication skills
5. Excellent interpersonal skills

Apply: Submit cover letter and resume to Margaret Watt at mwatt@positivedirections.org. No calls, please.

DOWNLOAD A PDF COPY OF THE PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST JOB DESCRIPTION HERE!