Peer Advocate

Interested in a rewarding career opportunity supporting others through their most challenging times? Are you someone who has lived experience with trauma, substance use recovery, or mental health and want to share your experiences with others on their healing journey? Are you a great listener and communicator? If you answered “yes,” then this position may be a fit for you.

The Peer Respite Advocate (PRA) will support the daily operations of the Peer Run Respite. The purpose of Peer Run Respite is to support individuals experiencing emotional distress and other life challenges in order to avoid psychiatric hospitalization or other, more invasive interventions. Peer Run Respites are built similar to a bed and breakfast, in a home-like environment and offer 24/7 support for Guests experiencing crisis.

The PRA is available to instill hope, support wellness and demonstrate that healing is a self-determined process. The PRA utilizes trauma informed approaches and tools to help guests set goals and engage in community and social events. The PRA will operate with the ultimate goal of empowering each individual to find their own path to self-healing. To that end, they may offer direct support in a variety of ways and settings, including peer support and assistance filling out forms, or applications, connections to community linkages and resources and advocacy. All support is guided by the core values of the recovery and survivor movements and the mission of Kiva.

REQUIREMENTS

o Applicants must have lived experiences with trauma, substance use/addictions recovery, and/or mental health/psychiatric diagnosis

o Access to reliable transportation (with access to your own vehicles preferred)

o Honesty, respect for diversity, high personal standards, language, and behaviors reflecting such values.

o Demonstrated ability to recognize the need for and facilitate connections between consumers and the community

o Understanding of available community supports

o Working knowledge of confidentiality requirements related to records pertaining to Department of Mental Health

o Must have good time management skills and be self-directed

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

o Role Modeling & Leadership

o Share their own recovery story, including points of self-empowerment and successful community living, in group and/or individual support settings

o Model coping, self-help and self-advocacy that include trauma informed techniques and tools as outlined in:

■ Wellness Recovery action Plan (WRAP)

■ Intentional Peer Support (IPS)

■ Trauma Informed Peer Support (TIPS)

■ Alternatives to Suicide (ATS)

o Represent the Kiva Centers’ community in a positive light

o Promote engagement and the empowerment of the KIVA CENTER community in taking ownership of Kiva Centers’ growth and support offered

Advocacy

o Upon the request of the individual supported, the Peer Respite Advocate will offer support and advocacy in the treatment settings such as ISP meetings

o Empower the individual supported in any complaint filing processes and will act as an advocate as needed

o Information Sharing

o Share personal experience and encourage mental health wellness and recovery

o Share information about all community resources, including other peer-run groups, housing and benefit resources, and community events

o Remain up to date on current resources and knowledge of the recovery movement by attending trainings and readings related articles and/or books as available

o Work with the Kiva team to help get the word out about the Kiva Center to other providers and people in the community

o Take part in building the Kiva Centers’ database of information and resources

o Collaboration

o Be available to provide consultation and/or training to individuals in the community or working in traditional treatment settings

o Assist in connection to mental health services, community resources, entitlements, and other services as needed

o Participate in Kiva Centers meetings as scheduled and take part in determining the overall direction and policies of Kiva Centers

o Support

o Offer support for guests during interview, introduction, arrival, and departure

o Prioritize creating and supporting a welcoming atmosphere.

o Prioritize openness and helpfulness and will avoid saying “I don’t know,” without following up or offering opportunities to brainstorm together

o Offer trauma-informed support in a variety of settings and by using listening skills and empowering the individual supported in problem solving skills as needed

o Offer support to the individual as needed to connect with other supports in their community, including, in some cases-visiting other resources with the individual to them get acquainted

o Offer practical supports including support with transformation and other tasks as needed

o General

o Value the individual’s right to privacy and keep information confidential within the team

o Complete administrative tasks as required including timesheets, documentation, etc.

o Work cooperatively PRR team and maintain clear, honest, and respectful communication with team members

o Respond to requests for information and phone calls in a timely fashion

o Transport guests to store or appointments when needed, using personal car

o Help maintain a clean, safe and secure environment. Some cleaning duties are assigned

o Manage downtime with Guest and Peer Run Respite program focused activities and duties

o Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

o High School Diploma

o CPS or ability to pass within a year of hire

o Lived experience with trauma, mental health, or substance abuse

o Basic knowledge of community support services/resources

o Minimum two years in recovery from acute care environment

o Completion of Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) training

PREFERRED SKILLS

o Bilingual English/Spanish

o Experience in Advocacy or Peer Support

o Experience working with non-profit organizations

o Understanding of recovery vs. illness-based system

ABILITIES

o Ability to act as an advocate and empowering individuals to take leadership in their own recovery

o Ability and willingness to share own recovery story in an open and skillful manner

o Able to delineate behaviors behind values of critical care and recovery (preferred)

PERSONAL QUALITIES

o Sense of humor; works well with a team

o Professional demeanor

o Safe and approachable, including when under pressure

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.50 - $23.00 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Bereavement leave
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• Evening shift
• Night shift

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to Relocate:

• Dudley, MA: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person