Youth Peer Support Specialist/Trainee & CANS Screener - WISe Program

Location: Spokane Valley, WA, USA

Frontier Behavioral Health’s presence in Spokane is more than 100 years strong, allowing our non-profit organization to understand the varied needs of our clients and the larger community.  Our programs are designed to provide evidence-based treatment to adults, youth and seniors who are dealing with a wide range of behavioral health issues.  As a Trauma-Informed Care Organization, we firmly believe in recovery and that our clients can lead fulfilling and meaningful lives, and we consider it an honor and a privilege to assist them in their journey.  If you want to have a positive impact in the lives of others come join us!

WHY CHOOSE FRONTIER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH?

At Frontier Behavioral Health, we value our employees and recognize the importance of EVERY employee’s contribution to our mission.

Our behavioral health services make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve and contribute to the health, safety, and quality of life for everyone in Spokane County.

At FBH we have a variety of client services, including outpatient, inpatient, community outreach, crisis services, partnerships with schools, law enforcement and more.

Our evidence-based, culturally appropriate, trauma informed behavioral health services address the diverse needs of those we serve.

WRAPAROUND WITH INTENSIVE SERVICES (WISe)

WISe is a team and community-based model that provides individualized services to ensure youth and their families live successfully in their homes and communities. This program provides comprehensive behavioral healthcare services and supports to Medicaid-eligible individuals age 21 or younger and their families.

WISe services will

Reduce the impact of mental health symptoms on youth and families, increase resiliency, and promote recovery

Keep youth safe, at home, and progressing in school

Help youth avoid delinquency

Promote youth development and maximize potential to grow into healthy, independent adults.

Focused and driven by the needs of family and family's support community; and provided in partnership with the client,  family, and mental health provider.

The WISe Youth Peer Support Specialist is a hybrid Youth Peer Support Specialist and CANS (Child & Adolescent Needs & Strengths) Screener position. On average, staff in this position complete 10-15 CANS screens per week and maintain a small caseload of 5-8 clients. The WISe Youth Peer Support Specialist is to provide targeted support services, and to assist in the provision of a system of care that is child-centered with the needs of the child and family determining the types and mix of services provided, to assist in preventing an out-of-home placement. To be effective, the WISe Youth Peer Support Specialist will work with children in their homes and communities and incorporate the entire family in the treatment program, focusing on their strengths as well as the child’s age and cultural heritage. The WISe Peer Support Specialist is specially trained to work as a part of a wraparound team providing services to WISe enrolled youth and families in their home and community within all phases and activities of WISe.

The WISe Youth Peer Support Specialist is responsible for completing the initial CANS assessment with youth and/or caregivers to assess eligibility for WISe services. CANS assessments are completed primarily in an office setting over the phone but may be completed in person at the individual’s place of residence or at a community location based on client need and preferences. The Youth Peer Support Specialist determines eligibility for WISe services based on information gathered during the CANS assessment and coordinates with the WISe Enrollment team to determine next steps if the youth is eligible for enrollment. If a youth does not meet eligibility criteria for WISe services, the Youth Peer Support Specialist helps identify and provide education around other services in the community based on the youth and family’s needs and preferences and make referrals as appropriate.

This is a specialized position requiring a willingness to work a flexible 24/7 schedule in rotation with other clinical staff assigned to the WISe Team.

This position requires a willingness to be part of an on-call supervisor rotation, including weekends and evenings, for support and consultation of crisis calls with the on-call WISe clinical provider.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.

Provide education about the WISe program, service intensity, and eligibility criteria to persons seeking WISe services at FBH to help ensure precision of fit of referrals.

Provide initial CANS assessments for people seeking WISe services at FBH to determine if eligibility requirements for WISe have been met.

Conduct initial CANS screening and complete WISe service enrollment to ensure timely and efficient completion of enrollment services.

Provide education and referrals to appropriate community providers for persons who are not eligible for, or able to benefit from, WISe services at FBH.

Complete clinical paperwork (CANS assessment, progress notes, etc.) in a timely, accurate, and legible manner.

As a member of a multi-disciplinary team, assist clinicians in the development of treatment objectives and interventions for clients seeking mental health services.

Provide supportive services, drawing on common experiences as a peer, providing on-going support to all WISe team family members by encouraging them to regain hope in, and control over, their own lives, and to be active participants in their child’s episode of care.

Identify services and activities that promote recovery by instilling hope and experiences which lead to meaning and purpose and which decrease stigma in the environments in which they serve.

Promote personal responsibility for recovery as the individual client or mental health service defines recovery.

Serve as a client advocate and provide client information and peer su