COC Peer Coordinator

Supervisor: Sr. Director of Crisis Services and Mobile Clinic Classification: Full Time, Hourly Department: Outreach and Engagement Minimum Qualifications: Completion of NY state-certified peer support specialist training through OMH and OASAS. CRPA-P/CRPA and/or NYCPS Certifications. Job Summary: The COC Peer Coordinator is an active member in the FLACRA team and provides peer support services to clients/families with serious mental illness and or substance abuse. Under the supervision of the Sr. Director of Crisis Services and Mobile Clinic and support from the Housing and Employment Manager and Connections Regional Coordinator, the Peer Provider will function as a peer outreach worker by engaging with individuals who are homeless, on the coordinated entry list, and continuing engagement until housing placement is confirmed. The Peer Provider will function as a role model to peers; exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills; serve as a consumer advocate, providing consumer information and peer support for clients/families in outpatient and inpatient settings. The Peer Provider performs a wide range of tasks to assist peers of all ages in regaining independence within the community and mastery over their own recovery process. Recovery resources such as booklets, tapes, pamphlets and other written materials will be utilized by the Peer Provider in the provision of services. The Peer Provider will also conduct street outreach to identify and engage individuals in unsheltered settings, providing immediate support, harm reduction resources, and connection to services. They will serve as a role model to peers, exhibit competency in personal recovery, and offer peer support in various settings, including outreach, inpatient, and outpatient services. Schedule: Monday – Friday Days as to align with DSS office hours - (Evenings and Weekends hours on an as needed basis) Duties 1. Coordinates with CoC, DSS, and Coordinated entry to engage individuals who are homeless that are also struggling with mental health or substance use, to assist with securing housing to support recovery. 2. Conducts street outreach to unsheltered individuals, providing immediate peer support, harm reduction education, and referrals to crisis services, shelters, and treatment programs. 3. Builds trusting relationships with individuals living on the streets, in encampments, or other unstable living situations, offering ongoing engagement and support. 4. Distributes basic needs supplies such as food, hygiene kits, and weather-appropriate items while providing information on available resources. 5. Acts as a liaison between individuals experiencing homelessness and service providers, assisting with navigation through the housing, healthcare, and recovery systems. 6. Serves as an active member of the client’s treatment team, including participation in team meetings and treatment planning meetings. 7. Assists clients in development of recovery plan, including psychiatric advance directives and crisis plan. 8. Provides psycho-education with focus on illness management and peer support. 9. Implements and coordinates recovery plans with individual clients in assigned population group, including evaluation, consultation, and education, and follow-up services. 10. Serves as role model for clients/families by sharing own recovery process and teaching effective coping techniques and self-help strategies. 11. Assists in developing of the recovery plan 12. Helps to initiate and sustain an individual/family in their recovery from substance use or addiction 13. Promotes recovery by removing barriers and obstacles to recovery 14. Serves as a personal guide and mentor for people seeking, or already in recovery. 15. Helps clients/families find resources for harm reduction, detox, treatment, family support and education, local or online support groups; or help client/family create a change plan to recover on their own. 16. Assists in finding ways to stop using or reduce harm associated with addictive behaviors. 17. Provides case management, resourcing, service collaboration for individual clients as extension of case management services. 18. Maintains accurate, thorough records on all assigned cases and uses documentation to assist clients in evaluating progress. 19. Provides advocacy services on behalf of clients/families. 20. Informs supervisor, and other members of treatment team as indicated, of issues/concerns related to individual clients/families. 21. Participates in required trainings to maintain certification. 22. Knowledge of Crisis Intervention and Early Engagement. 23. Other duties as assigned. Other Skills/Knowledge and Experience 1. High School Diploma or GED. 2. Eighteen years of age or older. 3. Good interpersonal skills and written and oral communication skills. 4. Knowledge of applicable population group and principles/philosophy of recovery. 5. Ability to multi-task, have good problem solving and time management skills and the ability to remain calm in a crisis 6. Must have NY state driver license. Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task or responsibility. v LIVED EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED Share personal recovery experiences and develop authentic peer-to-peer relationships Provide peer-to-peer services and support for peers in recovery or seeking Provide direct supervision to peer lead supervisors and peers providing direct support to other peer parents and peer youth Attend required training to become a peer counselor Providing peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer Promote recovery, self- advocacy, and self-direction Use a strength-based approach to inspire hope and to develop mutuality in peer-to-peer relationships Provide psycho-education with focus on illness management and peer support Assist peer-member to remain stable and maintain recovery Providing peer support services to individuals in the PSH program Attend state and local breastfeeding meetings/trainings for peer counselors Use experiences with personal recovery in assisting and supporting peer members Provide peer mentoring and support for individuals with psychiatric disabilities and receiving mental health services Assist current students with tutoring Work closely with peer volunteers to plan, implement and evaluate program activities Assisting in peer support groups on a regular basis Supporting the client in the development of various skill building activities, including: daily and community living skills, socialization skills, adaptation skills, and behavior and anger Provide advice and support in accordance with treatment plan Support organizational goals and values Conduct peer support groups to assist persons enrolled in supported employment to realize personal goals in employment, education and volunteer opportunities About Us: Finger Lakes Area Counseling and Recovery Agency (FLACRA) is a growing, not-for-profit provider of behavioral health and substance use treatment services throughout the Finger Lakes Region. Our comprehensive programs include outpatient services, residential care, crisis intervention, vocational support, housing, and youth services. We are committed to providing professional development opportunities for our staff and fostering a collaborative and inclusive workplace. At FLACRA, we are dedicated to creating an employee-centered culture that values diversity, inclusion, and respect. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply and join our team of professionals committed to making a positive impact in the community.