OUR FAMILIES NEED YOU!

Peer Counselors (pending certification) are individuals with a recent personal history as a parent of a youth/child who has been a recipient of behavioral health, child welfare, complex medical coordination or juvenile justice services who use that personal experience in building support with families. 

Peer Counselors collaborate, provide support and help facilitate services for youth and their families receiving behavioral health services.  Working as a member of a team, the Peer Counselor helps a youth voice their own perspective and assure that other team members are able to understand their perspective and use that perspective in treatment planning.  This position helps youth, parents and families achieve confidence in their abilities to team on a recovery journey and maintain hope for their success after formal behavioral health services have been completed.  Successful applicants must have first person experience in accessing foster care system services and be prepared to disclose their personal experiences with youth, parents and others. 

• Communicate role, responsibility and agency philosophy in order to assure mutual respect, confidence and trust with the consumer and other stakeholders.
• Provide non-judgmental, unconditional support to the consumer.
• Customize helping approaches to fit the consumer’s uniqueness, personality, culture and interest.
• Maintain a focus on strengths, needs and creative solutions.
• Utilize the family’s expertise in problem solving and solution seeking.
• Work interdependently with others toward common goals.
• Respond to family’s and children’s needs in a timely fashion.
• Instill hope for the future by communicating and behaving with confidence and reassurance.
• Dialogue with referred parents and relate personal experience as a parent that will further assist in building trust with the family.
• Assess and review the parent's ability to communicate their own position and preferences.
• Reach agreement with parents about activities that will contribute to healing and support and assist in communicating that to others.
• Review and analyze the team plan and make suggestions for improvements/modifications that improve parent participation.
• Assist the parent in analyzing team progress toward vision and goals and encourage their feedback to the team.

• Age 21 or older.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Personal (lived) experience as a recipient or with a special-needs child who has been a recipient of community mental health services within the past five years.
• Must have an acceptable driving record per CCS’ driving policy (required to provide current driving abstract).
• Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, automobile insurance and provide current auto registration.
• Applicant must successfully pass required background clearances prior to an offer of employment.
• Agency Affiliated (HIV/AIDS training required) or obtained within 1^st month of employment.
• Availability to work flexible hours (evenings, nights, weekends).
• Proof of negative TB test within past 12 months and ability or test within first six months of employment.
• Support and uphold the mission, beliefs and values of Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Demonstrates the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in multi-cultural situations.

Preferred Qualifications

• A.A. or B.A. in social sciences, social services or mental health field background.
• One year relevant experience with social services and mental health agencies to working with people who need assistance.