Peer Family Advocate

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionAre you a motivated individual with a passion for supporting others and making a difference in the community? Hope Cooperative is a nonprofit that moves people from a life of instability by providing permanent supportive housing, mental health services, substance-use rehabilitation, and life skills. We are growing expanding and hiring, and offering a sign-on bonus

We are looking for dynamic, committed individuals to join our team. If you want to be part of the solution to solving homelessness in our community, we are looking for your talent and expertise as we transform and empower the lives of people with mental illness by supporting independence and preventing homelessness. .

Title: Peer Family Advocate

Program(s) and Location: Hope Inspire (Woodland, CA)

Schedule: Full-time non-exempt, 40 hours/week, Monday- Friday 8:00am-4:30pm and may require working some evenings and weekend schedules

Pay rate: $21.87/hour - $22.97/hour depending on years of experience and education

Benefits: HOPE Cooperative (aka TLCS, Inc.) offers a competitive benefits package consisting of, but not limited to, the following, and may be subject to change:

• 21 PTO days per year (4 weeks & 1 day)
• 26 PTO days after the 5th year (5 weeks & 1 day)
• 6 days paid sick time
• 11 paid holidays
• 1 Personal Day
• Leadership Development
• Reimbursements
• Eligible for Government Loan Forgiveness Programs
• Employer-paid health insurance for employees and children (Kaiser, Sutter or Western Health Advantage)
• HSA Contributions
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401k match
• Transfer Sick Time Hours to PTO Hours
• PTO Cash Out
• Voluntary Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Disability Insurance and more
• Employee Assistance Program
• Regular wage step scale increases
• Flexible start/end times for some positions
• iPhone with unlimited data for personal/professional use and laptop for some positions
• Clinical Supervision towards licensure (for certain positions and upon approval)
• CEU days for certain positions
• Up to $500 CEU allowance for certain positions
• Annual BBQ and staff appreciation awards
• Annual Gift Card Program
• Referral Bonuses

* All benefit offerings are subject to change and are governed by the eligibility guidelines in the Employee Handbook. This list represents a general summary of available benefits and nothing stated here should be interpreted as being included in a written offer for employment.

Position Description:

These programs are community-based full-service partnerships with Sacramento County and Yolo County, providing intensive mental health and case management services to clients in their homes and other community locations. Clients may include individuals who are experiencing homelessness, persistent mental health symptoms, substance abuse concerns, and health needs. We foster flexible and creative team approaches to meet clients where they are while also encouraging independent decision-making. We work closely with clients and public entities to decrease chronic homelessness in Sacramento County.

The Peer Family Advocate will serve as a member of a multi-disciplinary team to provide peer and/or family support in collaboration with the Personal Service Coordinators to assist with accessing program services and other community resources to support well-being. The Peer/Family Advocate will function as a role model exhibiting competency in personal recovery and use of coping skills as well as assisting in helping clients learn coping skills and develop wellness plans congruent with cultural norms and expectations. The Peer/Family Advocate will serve as an advocate for client's choice and voice.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES (includes the following; other duties may be assigned)

1. Support clients and/or family members with active listening, demonstration of empathy and carry a message of hope and recovery and empower clients in meeting their identified goals.
2. Collaborate with Personal Service Coordinators, Team Coordinators, Clinicians and Medical staff in coordinating and providing services for clients.
3. Observe, assess, intervene and refer (within one’s scope of practice) in situations with clients regarding mental health symptoms, physical health symptoms and substance use issues.
4. Assist in linking clients and/or family members with resources in the community per the client plan.
5. Assist clients in developing and following a wellness plan unique to their needs and desires.
6. Assist member with various independent living skills: house cleaning, laundry, food preparation, hygiene, yard work, budgeting money, shopping, medication management and safety.
7. Provide/Assist the clients with transportation in personal vehicle as necessary.
8. Meet with clients and/or family members in the community and their homes, and attend meetings to ensure continuity of care for clients.
9. Provide positive public relations, community referrals, information and support by linking clients to needed resources; advocate with and on behalf of clients and significant support persons the clients have identified.
10. Facilitate planning of social, cultural, educational, supportive and recreational group activities.
11. Accurately complete all necessary forms, reports and paperwork required by the program on a timely basis (e.g., progress notes, special incident reports, discharge summaries, Medi-Cal billing, Avatar forms).
12. Act as a designated Mandated Reporter for the observed or suspected abuse and/or neglect of children, disabled individuals, dependent adults and elder/senior citizens. Mandated Reporter also includes “Duty to Warn” which includes the responsibility to notify authorities and the intended victim(s) of physical harm.

Education and/or Experience

• Lived experience as a mental health consumer or a family member of a mental health consumer.
• Work experience with Medi-Cal billing is highly desirable.
• Work experience with persons who have substance abuse problems, preferably individuals who are dually diagnosed (mental health & substance abuse) is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of 12-Step Programs and/or personal experience with substance abuse recovery is highly desirable.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Provide own vehicle, possess a valid California Driver’s License and current vehicle insurance. Driving record must meet, and continue to meet the generalized driving guidelines used by our insurance broker.
• Must have at least 3 years of driving experience.
• Must obtain CPR and First Aid certificates within the first six (6) months of employment.
• Must attend Pro-Act training through the agency and obtain Pro-Act Certification within the first year of employment.

Other Skills, Abilities, and Job Requirements

• Ability to pass clearance of various agencies including but not limited to, the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Motor Vehicles, a third party consumer reporting agency, and, perhaps, other agencies.
• Work overtime as requested and approved.
• Be available for one week of after-hours duty on a rotational basis.

HOPE Cooperative (aka TLCS, Inc.) is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Our agency embraces a diverse & culturally rich workforce, and we welcome all candidates to apply.

To apply, visit our Hope Cooperative – Online Career Center

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

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