Peer Support Specialist

Except in the case of an undue hardship, La Familia provides reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities when the accommodations are necessary to enable the persons to perform the essential functions of the job. The Agency also provides reasonable accommodations when necessary based on religious needs. Individuals requiring workplace accommodations must discuss their needs with La Familia Human Resources. Individuals seeking accommodations for disabilities are typically required to provide medical documentation supporting the existence of a disability, the need for the accommodation, and what workplace modifications will enable the employee to perform the essential functions of the job. POSITION OVERVIEW: Under the supervision of the Clinical Supervisor, the Peer Support Specialist will be assigned to the Full Service Partnership (FSP) program, providing intensive services to the Merced FSP clients referred by BHRS utilizing the ACT and FACT model of service delivery. The Peer Support Specialist will utilize their personal experience to seek out and engage SMI clients who face significant challenges and are often disengaged and/or underserved with mental health services. The FSP program is searching for someone who is eager to work and engage these clients with humility and respect as a Peer Support Specialist. The Peer Support Specialist will meet deliverable expectations and requirements of the program. This role will uphold and champion the agency’s mission, vision, and values and contribute to a collaborative and inclusive work culture. This position is covered under the SEIU 1021 Collective Bargaining Agreement. In addition to the established base pay, members will receive negotiated annual increases as follows: - January 2027: 3% base pay increase Future increases will be subject to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: - Provide direct services, including outreach, engagement, referral, linkage, and follow-up services to consumers and their families/supports at their preferred locations. - Provide services in the field and at various institutional settings and locations in the community, as necessary, as well as transport clientele to necessary appointments and community resources and supports. - Meets with clients and caregivers/family members on a consistent basis or as needed in the field for the purposes of establishing and maintaining contact, gradually build rapport and therapeutic alliance with clients and caregivers/family members, facilitate client interests in resources, develop and implement client care plans, support and accompany clients through interpersonal and institutional transitions, teach and enhance coping skills, facilitate healthy dialogue between clients and respective family members/caregivers or relevant parties, leverage the interests of family members/caregivers and clients towards common goals, and provide referral and linkage services for clients to specialty mental health services in the community. - Provide case management duties for clients and connect them to various resources as necessary, including, but not limited to, assisting clients to apply for General Assistance and Social Security Income; initiate and follow-up with referrals to temporary shelters and long-term housing; referral and linkage to services available within Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) as well as other necessary community resources and supports. - Provide culturally responsive, strengths-based, and client-centered supports and advocacy to consumers and their families/supports. - Serve as role model and to inspire, engage, and advocate for consumers and their family member/caregivers’ legal status and rights. - Consistently collaborate with mental health and other social service professionals in various institutional capacities and settings to initiate, refer, and follow-up with services in conjunction with or on beh…