CSO is looking for a Peer Specialist for our Respite program in Pittsfield. 

Respite is a 24-hour staffed program that provides short-term, temporary housing and support services for those in transition from one living arrangement to another. Respite is a program funded by the Department of Mental Health.

Clients in Respite have access to psychiatric consultations, a mental health Clinician and medication support as well as a Nurse to provide health assessments, as needed. The program also provides a variety of wellness groups on-site to provide daily structure and connection to community and peer supports.

As a Peer Specialist you will provide hope, mutual peer support, advocacy, purposeful sharing of lived experience, and education to individuals receiving services. The Peer Specialist also models and informs other agency staff about recovery.

Responsibilities

• Communicate, represent and advocate for clients receiving mental health services.
• Facilitate mutual support and self-help groups that guide and help participants in the development of their own leadership skills.
• Inform and support individuals using mental health services.
• Develop activities and resources that support people in recovery to achieve their identified goals.
• Work with individuals to develop and maintain natural supports outside of human service system.
• Provide peer recovery support to persons served.  This includes willingness to share his/her own recovery story in intentional ways for the purpose of connection building, resource sharing, education, etc. 
• Assist with access to treatment and/or supports for achieving sustained recovery. When needed, serve as liaison between person served and the recovery community.
• Offer hope, role modeling of recovery, and a vision of a full and meaningful life for all. 
• Promote peer values as defined in Certified Peer Specialist Training including self-determination, mutuality and reciprocity, individual respect and dignity, easy to understand language, and non-judgmental attitude. 
• Develop and maintain knowledge of community resources for sharing with individuals and supporting actions for recovery. 
• Assist with the basic needs of individuals including being present with them, advocating for a safe/private waiting environment, providing food/drink/a place to rest, and assisting with basic comfort needs. 
• Conduct outreach including occasional transportation to individuals when needed and when approved by supervisor.

Qualifications

Experience as consumer of mental health services and willingness to share this experience. Must have completed the Massachusetts Peer Specialist training and certifications. Must be able to work effectively within the mental health system and effectively represent and advocate in support of those individuals. Will be able to document activities in a manner that meets agency requirements. Computer proficiency required including ability to work with email, electronic health record and word processing software. Must be able to work flexible schedule, including night and weekends as needed. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required to support outreach and home and community-based activities. 

Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, (English/Spanish speaking.)

Benefits

We provide our employees with competitive salaries and a generous benefits package, including full coverage health and dental insurance and ample paid time off (vacation, personal, sick, and holidays). Additionally, we offer a 403B retirement savings plan, an employee referral bonus program, regular in-house training and professional development opportunities with free CEUs, and voluntary supplemental insurances at group rates, including short and long-term disability, cancer, accident and life. We also offer a premier employee assistance program (EAP) and personal cell phone plan discounts. Our work environment is flexible and supportive, with ample opportunities for collaboration within and across departments, programs and locations. 

Our Agency

Clinical & Support Options, Inc. is a behavioral health organization serving individuals and families across Western Massachusetts. From our early days as a child guidance clinic, we have expanded into a full service behavioral health agency, committed internally to excellence while we collaborate externally with community partners to participate in a comprehensive system of assistance and resources for the residents of our communities. We employ over 650 multi-disciplinary staff, helping thousands of families over the past 50 years. We have community based office locations throughout Western Massachusetts, including Springfield, Northampton, Greenfield, Orange, Athol, Gardner and Pittsfield.

Our expertise, in a nutshell, is to support people in their progress towards self-sufficiency, no matter what challenges they face on that journey. EOE/AA