Stepping Stones Peer Partner

ABOUT RYTHER:
Helping children, youth, young adults, and their families find their path to healing and hope is at the core of our work. We can only achieve this by striving for excellence and providing an array of services that are needed and wanted by the community we serve. We are continuing to expand our service array and locations where we provide services, with therapists in more schools and social service agencies. As we expand our services to serve more than 800 children, youth, and young adults each month – regardless of payer, gender identity, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, or place of origin – we do so with the intention that we would want our own families to use these services should they need them. The staff at Ryther are committed to creating and maintaining a culture that is informed and reflective of trauma recovery and racial equity and social justice principles.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Stepping Stones Peer Partner utilizes their own experiences to deliver direct supportive services to youth referred to or receiving Intellectual or Development Disabilities (I/DD) or TYS services. The Peer Partner must have lived experience with either I/DD and/or housing instability (preferably both). The Peer Partner ensures that youth voice and choice is understood and utilized by other providers. Connects youth/families to supports and resources within their community, and engages youth and family in the treatment process. Advocates for youth/family needs within the team and community. Provides services in a variety of community locations.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Provide peer counseling and support to youth/families, drawing on common experience to encourage hope and inspire a sense of agency.
Promote self-determination, empowerment, personal responsibility for recovery and wellness, and assist youth in advocating for themselves and their families.
Engage youth and families in the recovery process through lived experience with Intellectual or Developmental Disability and/or homelessness.
Act as a bridge between youth, their families, and recovery system representatives.
Adhere to principles of recovery, strengths-based approaches, and harm reduction.
Assist in treatment planning by identifying relevant community resources and developing strategies to utilize and build upon strengths of the youth and families.
Collaborate with the treatment team to promote a culture within which each client’s point of view, experience, and preferences are recognized, understood, and respected, and client decision-making maximized.
Assist youth in gaining skills to advocate for themselves when treatment planning and in other system settings.
Assist youth/families in identifying existing and building new community and natural supports.
Support clients during team and family meetings.
Provide referrals and linkages to youth/families and system partners.
Assist youth/families in navigating systems to have their needs met.
Partner with client, family, other practitioners, and other systems of care representatives to promote youth/family involvement at all levels of care, treatment planning, and service delivery.
Attend and participate in clinical consultation, staff meetings, and supervision appointments.
Maintain complete and timely clinical documentation, including gathering data in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
Assist in tracking client progress using agency- and contract-mandated data collection tools.
Participate in supervision with the TYS Program Manager or assigned supervisor.
Demonstrate a high degree of skill in communication and positive interaction with all Ryther employees, prospective employees, external agencies/companies, and the community at large.
Perform all other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL JOB REQUIREMENTS

Commitment to the Mission, Vision, and Values of the agency.
High School Diploma or equivalent required; AA or BA Degree in a behavioral science field preferred.
Minimum of 18 years of age.
Certified Peer Counselor credentialed or ability to attend and obtain within 6 months of hire.
Access to reliable transportation and ability to meet clients/families throughout King County.
Acceptance of a variety of lifestyles, behaviors, cultural, and spiritual practices.
Ability to maintain awareness of culturally relevant issues while interaction with children, families, co-workers, and community members.
Lived experience with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability or housing instability required. Preference given to those with both.
Understanding of child development, child psychology, and the I/DD community
Awareness of the public mental health system. Ability to work effectively with individuals with complex needs and multi-system involvement.
Knowledge of homeless youth services systems. Comfortable working with clients experiencing homelessness.
Ability to operate as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team.
Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality.
Excellent written/verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Flexibility and ability to work a varied schedule including some evenings and weekends.
Effective computer skills, including but not limited to Microsoft Office & Electronic Health Records.
Ability to accommodate a moderate level of stress. Ability to maintain a positive, solution-focused demeanor when responding to conflicts or problems.
The ability to address and resolve conflict in a professional manner.
Lived experience navigating social resource systems. Willingness to share lived experience as a means of providing hope and support to clients in challenging circumstances.
Evidence of maintaining stability in their own recovery for at least one year.
Experience advocating for and partnering with youth/families of multi-systems involved clients.
Strong knowledge of and experience with crisis de-escalation and safety planning. Confidence and skill in handling crisis situations safely and effectively essential.
Ability to perform a range of physical motions including but not limited to:
- lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs.,
- standing, walking, sitting for long periods of time,
- kneeling, squatting, and stooping; and
- running for brief periods of time.

SUPERVISOR: TYS Program Manager

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