Community Inclusion Specialist

PRN is a survivor-led community and as with any community, ours is diverse. Some of us have survived suicide attempts, domestic violence, or involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations. Others have experienced homelessness, incarceration, or gang involvement. We are united by our resilience and the knowledge we have gained by overcoming experiences others thought were insurmountable. They weren’t and we thrived.

At PRN, we support one another with dignity. We inspire one another. We heal together and use our wisdom to ignite social change. We are artists, parents, musicians, leaders, educators, hope inspirers, and recovery warriors.

Travel is required

Purpose

The Community Inclusion Specialist (CIS) program's purpose is to support individuals Transitioning to Community Living (TCL).

The  Community Inclusion Specialist (CIS) will complete (a) transition TCL-eligible members from Adult Care Homes (ACH) to Permanent Supportive Housing and (b) assist members in connecting to services, support, and access to different opportunities within their community to enhance quality of life and increase community tenure. Supports/services include but are not limited to Individual Placement and support employment (IPS-SE), Benefits Counseling, educational opportunities, medical/physical health services, and other community inclusion activities to increase their quality of life.

Responsibilities

Program Management

• Follow-through on referrals assigned by the Program Manager or Director to TCL members who are receiving Community Inclusion Peer Support, Transition Services, or who have successfully transitioned to Permanent Supportive Housing.
• Provide education and information about housing, services, supports, and opportunities to promote community inclusion.
• Complete NC DHHS Informed Decision Making (IDM) Tools and Community Participation Assessments as identified by Temple University. Coordinate available opportunities based on identified needs and preferences.
• Use "Mattering" (Temple University) as a driving framework for increased Quality of Life.
• Communicate routinely with the Program Manager or Director Alliance to coordinate efforts for community transition and enhanced quality of life.
• Complete and submit documentation as specified.
• Provide necessary information to the Program Manager or Director for reporting needs and to the Accounting Manager to ensure complete billing/invoicing as required by Alliance to receive reimbursement for services rendered.
• Adhere to System of Care values and principles in providing a person-centered, strength-based service delivery approach to assist members in achieving their outcomes.
• Attend case review meetings as assigned by the Program Manager or Director with Alliance's TCLI staff as requested for applicable individuals.

Engagement and Outreach

• Collaborate with Alliance and any other identified partners in implementing this project.
• Engage in outreach activities with Alliance staff to facilitate a positive working relationship with external stakeholders that encourages referrals and successful service engagement.
• At a minimum, participate in monthly staffing meetings facilitated by Alliance TCL staff.
• Schedule planning meetings, as needed with the member, guardian, and facility.
• Complete face-to-face or virtual (if appropriate) visits with the member/guardian.
• Support members to connect with other peers in their community.
• Provide additional training and skill-building to prepare for and enhance community living.
• Connect members to additional supports and notify Alliance staff for assistance with Provider referral for services with an emphasis on IPS-SE. A minimum of weekly collaboration is expected for all individuals receiving IPS-SE services.
• Adhere to Supportive Housing best practices to ensure the member is living in a safe, decent, and affordable home which includes:
  • Choice of housing
  • Functional separation of housing and services
  • Decent, safe, and affordable housing
  • Housing integration
  • Access to housing
  • Flexible, voluntary, and recovery-focused services
  • Active outreach and engagement
  • Connecting people to benefits and community-based services
  • Providing direct support for housing retention
• Collaborate with local Alliance Housing Specialists to identify other potential avenues for housing for self-sustaining individuals.
• As assigned by the Program Manager or Director, work with local churches, nonprofits, and thrift stores to identify cost-effective ways for individuals receiving this service to furnish their homes.
• As assigned by the Program Manager or Director, work with community resources and organizations to ensure members are aware of ways to fully integrate into his or her community utilizing physical and behavioral health, social, spiritual, financial, transportation, vocational, and educational resources.

Other duties:

• Ensure the following contractual training requirements are completed within 90 days of hire:
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Resiliency
  • Recovery-orientation
  • Trauma-informed care
  • Person-centered planning
  • Informed Decision-Making Tool
  • All other trainings mentioned in the Certified Peer Support Medicaid service o 3 hours of Peer Support Services Policy components review.
  • 1 hour of Documentation Training
• Demonstrate the flexibility to work with different kinds of individual personalities in a supportive and constructive way regardless of possible differences in personalities or viewpoints.
• Maintain a positive work culture by remaining solution-focused while demonstrating a positive attitude in all interactions by demonstrating recovery-oriented, trauma-informed traits and qualities such as patience, tolerance, positive support, and mutual respect. 
• Supports the Program Manager or Director with special projects as assigned, including but not limited to things such as: coordinating project-specific information, document creation, presentation slide deck development, facilitating team workgroups, etc.

Specifications and Requirements

• High School Diploma Required. Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred. (Human Services related degree or certificate with a focus on homelessness and housing supports or equivalent personal lived experience).
• Personal history of recovery and lived experience in seeking and receiving crisis-based support, understanding, belief, and commitment to the recovery process.

• Knowledge of the local community and cultural needs/preferences.
• Integrity and responsibility to work primarily in the community.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed theories, principles, and practices.
• Ability to represent the agency with a high level of professionalism within the community and workplace.
• Ability to manage time, and complete tasks accordingly with limited direct supervision.
• Must have own reliable transportation

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to maintain confidentiality, and professionalism, and demonstrate strong personal/professional boundaries.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including active and reflective listening skills, and to remain non-judgmental.
• Must be self-motivated and possess the ability to work independently or within a team.
• Effective conflict resolution skills.
• Knowledge and use of a variety of computer software applications in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software.
• Current NC Certified Peer Support Specialist Certification.
• Valid NC Driver’s License.
• Basic knowledge of community support services/resources.
• Skilled in maintaining calm and empathy with people experiencing emotional distress without trying to minimize their experience.

PRN believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity. We do not discriminate against our employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual preference, sexual orientation, physical handicap or medical condition. Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including recruitment, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall and termination.