Peer Bridger - Adult Home Initiative

Mission Statement: 

Baltic Street Wellness Solutions is committed to providing peer recovery, person-centered, trauma informed, and compassionate services to those with mental health lived experience. 

Vision: 

Our vision is to drive a cultural transformation within the mental health community by advocating for the underserved, educating for change, and inspiring wellness. We approach our role with cultural humility and mindfulness of oppressive systems. 

Our Core Values: 

• We value a mentoring philosophy delivered from staff with peer lived experiences. 
• We value the recovery journey of every individual with a mental health diagnosis. 
• We value the personal and professional experiences of our staff and board members. 
• We value community action to change societal views to break the stigma of mental health through advocacy within all systems. 
• We value everyone's desire to have opportunities to obtain their visions of wellness. 
• We value education and training to enhance an individual's opportunities for growth in one's personal journey to self-discovery.

Position Summary  

The Adult Homes Initiative is designed to provide peer support services to people transitioning from adult homes into the community through individual and group peer support meetings. Employees will use their lived experience to bridge individuals from Adult Homes into their desired communities in the five boroughs. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Offer positive, supportive peer relationships that foster trust and hope for positive change, choice, wellness, recovery, and personal empowerment 
• Present a positive example of a person with lived experience who has been successful at managing their own recovery by actively investing in/maintaining their personal wellness 
• Provide one-on-one and/or group support and continued short-term-support services following relocation 
• Teach community adjustment and wellness self-management skills 
• Assist with developing a Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) 
• Help identify and/or re-engage with family, friends, and other natural supports 
• Provide education and resources that support wellness self-management, self-determination, and self-advocacy 
• Continue with individuals after transition to identify and engage with a range of community-based services and supports 
• Complete detailed written record of activities in a timely and accurate manner 
• Report to and meet with supervisor on a regularly scheduled basis 
• Attend training and meeting as required and assigned by supervisor, funder and BSAEH 
• Strong understanding and practice of peer support, recovery, wellness, and related services 
• Possess strong engagement, and oral and written communication skills 
• Ability to travel and work afternoons, evenings and weekends 
• Peers may be required to cover different homes in the designated borough as needed 
• Perform other duties as required and assigned 

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities) 

• High School Diploma, GED (General Equivalency Diploma) required, College degree in a related field preferred 
• At least one year's experience working as a peer 
• New York State Certified Peer Specialists - or must be certified within 6 months of hiring 
• Demonstrate experience with and knowledge of the New York State mental health and substance abuse systems 
• Demonstrate knowledge of advocacy, self-help, and empowerment programs for recipients of mental health and substance abuse services 
• Ability to be a role model and convey a message of hope and wellness for people diagnosed with mental illness 
• Ability to complete basic documentation requirements regarding work activities 
• Must have lived experience with the public mental health system  
• Must have basic computer skills – knowledge of Foothold Technology’s AWARDS system a plus 

Baltic Street Wellness Solutions will require selected candidates to submit proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 and having received a booster shot. If a candidate has a qualifying medical condition or religious exemption that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination, an exemption form should be requested from Human Resources.

Physical Demands and Work Environment  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit; reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.