Peer Support Specialist
Peer Support Specialist
About Communities In Schools of North Carolina
At Communities In Schools, we are “all-in” for kids. It is our passion– it is our mission. As the State Office for North Carolina, we deliver CIS programs across the state and we collaborate with local affiliate organizations, to provide resources and create communities of caring adults who work hand-in-hand with educators to make sure young people have the tools they need to stay in school and achieve in life. Communities In Schools is the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization, serving 1.5 million students in 2,400 sites across the country. We achieve this mission by hiring bright, creative, and innovative team members who have a passion for what we do. At CISNC, we value relationships, collaboration, learning, integrity and commitment.
Position Overview:
The Reentry to Resilience (R2R) Program with Communities In Schools of North Carolina (CISNC) is seeking to add a Peer Support Specialist (PSS) to our team. The R2R program provides support to youth and their families who have been admitted into, and eventually released from, Cabarrus, Edgecombe, Chatham, Rockingham, or Lenoir Youth Development Centers (YDC), aiding in their successful reentry back into their respective communities. The Peer Support Specialist will be responsible for providing support and resources to the parent/caregivers of the justice-involved youth being served by Youth Success Coaches (YSCs), upon youth commitment to the YDC. The PSS will work closely with parents/caregivers to understand their needs, co-create goals, and help them navigate the juvenile justice system and advocate for their child. The PSS will collaborate with the Youth Success Coach, Juvenile Justice professionals, social workers, healthcare professionals, and any other community resource partners, to ensure that parents/caregivers receive comprehensive support and services while the youth is in the YDC, that will be sustainable well beyond youth release.
Essential Functions:
Builds CIS Voice & Brand (50% of time):
- Conduct assessments with parents and caregivers of justice-involved youth to determine their needs related to the youth’s legal involvement, as well as their basic needs related to food, shelter, medical care, and social support
- Support parents/caregivers when navigating juvenile justice, education, and social service systems
- Evaluate the physical, emotional, and mental health of parents and caregivers and identify areas where additional support may be needed
- Work with parents/caregivers to co-develop goals that address their specific needs and goals related to supporting their youth and maintaining their own well-being
- Provide information and referrals to community resources and support services that can assist parents and caregivers in meeting their needs
- Collaborate with juvenile justice professionals, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to ensure that families receive comprehensive care
- Provide education and training to parents and caregivers on topics related to supporting their youth during and after their involvement with the justice system, as well as topics related to caregiving, self-care, and stress management
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic records of assessments, care plans, and progress notes in database
- Complete appropriate documentation to capture services provided to students, as well as other necessary documents
- Occasional lifting (20 lbs.)/ Occasional pushing (25 lbs.)
- Travel Required: Daily travel 50% and occasional overnight travel
Core Competencies
Relationship building, teamwork, results focused, communication, development & continual learning, accountability & dependability, valuing diversity.
Job Specific Competencies
Superior verbal and written communication skills, Strong interpersonal skills, Ability to communicate difficult information clearly and effectively, Ability to read, interpret and organize data, Technology expertise for the development and delivery of programming and program evaluation, to enhance presentations and improve work-related efficiency, Technologically proficient in all office technology systems including spread sheeting, word processing, email and skype/Zoom.
Required Education/Experience:
• Experience having a child or dependent in the juvenile justice system
• Empathy and sensitivity to the needs of families, including those from diverse backgrounds
• Cultural competence and understanding of the unique needs of families with justice-involved youth
• Knowledge of the legal system and its impact on families
• A valid NC driver’s license
Perks:
We offer outstanding benefits including medical, dental, vision, and 403(b) and MORE!!! We offer paid vacation, sick time and holidays. Our team is friendly, fun and collaborative.
Stay connected with our work across North Carolina!
Learn more about the work Communities In Schools is doing and help us set students up for success in the classroom and beyond.