Peer Specialist - Maternal (Hub and Spoke)

Position Summary: The Hub and Spoke Health Home is an innovative model serving people with significant substance use and co-occurring mental health or physical health needs. The Maternal Health Peer Specialist works in collaboration with Hub and Spoke Team and is responsible for working with the individual to develop an individualized plan to support recovery. A Peer Specialist is an individual that has lived the experience of recovery and utilizes their lived recovery experiences to engage others in the process of recovery. The Maternal Health Peer Specialist works 1:1 with pregnant women and new mother's experiencing substance use needs and life needs.

Essential Functions:

• Utilize lived experience of recovery to engage pregnant women and new mothers in recovery focused services and programming.
• Committed and skilled at engaging people through a strength based, trauma informed, person centered, and culturally intelligent approach. This position has a strong focus on engaging people in care and services.
• Committed and passionate about serving people with substance use and co-occurring needs.
• Provide peer specialist services to approximately 12 individuals weekly.
• Responsible for completing a Recovery Life Story Tool and Assessment (RLST/PRP) in the person's own words. A RLST/PRP is focused on the person's strengths, goals, existing and new strategies to meet the identified needs. RLST/PRPs are updated a minimum of every 90 days.
• Focused on providing comprehensive care to meet the person's needs. This includes treatment needs, medical/dental, housing, legal, financial, benefits, food, clothes, and social needs, etc.
• Facilitate monthly BAM monitoring/team meetings (every 90 days) in collaboration with the person's care team.
• Coordinate care with providers of services and verify services are provided. Contact each member of the person's care team a minimum of weekly to review progress and areas of ongoing need.
• Responsible for regular completion of a Maternal Health Improvement Tracker that monitors prenatal and postnatal appointments in addition to service connections for expecting mothers and/or new mothers enrolled in the program.
• Work closely with the person to develop a team of informal supports (i.e., family members, friends, support groups, church, etc.) and formal supports (formal paid providers) based on the person's preference.
• Assist with planning and implementing monthly support groups or other educational events for individuals in the program.
• Provide transportation and attend appointments with the person. Advocate with the person to meet identified needs.
• Complete satisfaction surveys with individuals in the program.
• Follow all WCS Hub policies and procedures.
• Embrace a comprehensive team approach to meet the individualized needs of people with complex substance use and life needs.
• Network with community providers and Spokes to develop collaborative relationships to meet the needs of the people being served by the program.
• Document all interactions, collateral contacts, and activities specific to the individual's care and treatment in the electronic medical record within 24 hours of the contact.
• Complete all WCS Hub and Spoke Health Home training and WCS specific training.
• Uphold and promote a positive, strength based, and supportive culture.
• Maintain confidentiality within all written and verbal communications.
• Adhere to WCS Policies and Procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

Other Duties and Responsibilities: Other job-related duties as may be necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Experience serving people with substance use and co-occurring needs. Knowledge of the Milwaukee County substance use system, Medication Assisted Treatment, and evidence-based practices. Must possess verbal and written communication skills, along with computer skills that include Microsoft Word, Excel, and database applications. Must have strong communication skills, be flexible, patient, compassionate and maintain confidential information. Must have the ability to work independently with a minimal amount of supervision but must be a strong team player as well. Ability to multi-task, take initiative and apply knowledge to variety of circumstances.

Minimum Qualifications:

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  • Successful completion of the State of Wisconsin Peer Specialist training and certification within one year of hire.
  • High school or GED/HSED required.
  • Knowledge and experience serving people with substance use need.
  • Working knowledge of computer applications preferred (Windows and Microsoft Word).
  • Ability to display cultural competence by responding respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth of clients.
  • Valid driver's license, automobile, and insurance sufficient to meet agency requirements.
  • Meet all the employee requirements including references, criminal background check, drug screen, and driver's license check.
  
  
  
  

Work Relationship and Scope: Reports directly to the Lead Maternal Health Recovery Navigator, the Assistant Director, and works closely with the WCS Hub and Spoke Health Home team. Direct interaction with the people being served by the program, staff, project partners, substance use treatment providers, and Milwaukee County.

Personal Attributes: Follow agency Code of Conduct and adhere to established policies and procedures of the agency and of all funding sources including Wisconsin DHS. Conduct self in an ethical manner. Maintain professional and respectful relationships with all WCS staff, adults, and families and all external funding sources and community partners involved with service provision. Show sensitivity toward cultural, ethnic, and disability needs. Embrace the role and utilization of peer specialists and people with lived experience.

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an office and community environment. Work is performed in the community including going into homes, court, and other locations to serve adults enrolled in the WCS Hub and Spoke Health Home. Travel is required. Must be comfortable being around and/or interacting with adults who have significant substance use needs. Flexible work schedule is required to meet the needs of staff and the people being served. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Demands: May require sitting at a desk and/or computer for two or more hours at a time. Requires computer work. Travel in the community is a requirement.

Wisconsin Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability, status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.