Community Inclusion Specialist

About Us

Promise Resource Network (PRN) is a peer-run organization that is operated and staffed by people who have survived trauma, suicide attempts, overdoses, psychiatric hospitalization, incarceration, and/or being unhoused who use the wisdom of their healing and recovery to ignite social change, inspire hope, and serve as a catalyst for personal greatness.  It is our goal that every person finds the hope, inspiration, and support to move through challenges, discover their strengths, live their dreams, and find meaningful purpose in their lives. 

When people experience emotional distress and related crises, the limited crisis supports are frequently emergency departments, inpatient settings, crisis stabilization units, and walk-in urgent cares. PRN’s peer-run respites offer an alternative healing environment, with support from others that have similar experiences (Peer Specialists) who offer connection, exploration of the crisis to make meaning out of the experience and offer many wants to work through the distress without the need for forced or involuntary treatment. 

Summary of the Position

The Community Inclusion Specialist (CIS) will complete to (a) transition TCL-eligible members from Adult Care Homes (ACH) to Permanent Supportive Housing and (b) assist members to connect to services, supports, and access different opportunities within their community to enhance quality of life and increase community tenure. Supports/services include but are not limited to: Individual Placement and Supports-Supported Employment (IPS-SE), Benefits Counseling, educational opportunities, medical/physical health services, and other community inclusion activities to increase their quality of life.

Responsibilities

• Follow-through on referrals assigned by the Program Manager to TCL members who are receiving Community Inclusion Peer Support, Transition Services, or who have successfully transitioned to Permanent Supportive Housing.

• Provide education and information about housing, services, supports, and opportunities to promote community inclusion.

• Complete NC DHHS Informed Decision Making (IDM) Tools and Community Participation Assessments as identified by Temple University. Coordinate available opportunities based on identified needs and preferences.

• Use "Mattering" (Temple University) as a driving framework for increased Quality of Life.

• Communicate routinely with the Program Manager Alliance to coordinate efforts for community transition and enhanced quality of life.

• Complete and submit documentation as specified.

• Provide necessary information to Program Manager for reporting needs and to Accounting Manager to ensure complete billing/invoicing as required by Alliance to receive reimbursement for services rendered.

• Adhere to System of Care values and principles in providing a person centered, strength-based service delivery approach to assist members in achieving their outcomes.

• Attend case review meetings with Alliance's TCLI staff as requested for applicable individuals.

• Collaborate with Alliance and any other identified partners in implementing this project.

• Engage in outreach activities with Alliance staff to facilitate a positive working relationship with external stakeholders that encourages referrals and successful service engagement.

• At minimum, participate in weekly program meetings as facilitated by Program Manager.

• Schedule planning meetings, as needed with the member, guardian, and facility.

• Complete face-to-face or virtual (if appropriate) visits with the member/guardian.

• Support member to connect with other peers in their community.

• Provide additional training and skill building to prepare for and enhance community living.

• Connect member to additional supports and notify Alliance staff for assistance with Provider referral for services with an emphasis on IPS-SE. A minimum of weekly collaboration is expected for all individuals receiving IPS-SE services.

• Adhere to Supportive Housing best practices to ensure the member is living in a safe, decent, and affordable home which includes:

  • Choice of housing

  • Functional separation of housing and services 

  • Decent, safe, and affordable housing 

  • Housing integration 

  • Access to housing

  • Flexible, voluntary, and recovery focused services 

  • Active outreach and engagement 

  • Connecting people to benefits and community-based services 

  • Providing direct supports for housing retention 

• Collaborate with local Alliance Housing Specialists to identify other potential avenues for housing for individuals that is self-sustaining.

• As assigned by the Program Manager, work with local churches, nonprofits, thrift stores to identify cost effective ways for individuals receiving this service to furnish their homes.

• As assigned by the Program Manager, work with community resources and organizations to ensure member is aware of ways to fully integrate into his or her community utilizing physical and behavioral health, social, spiritual, financial, transportation, vocational and educational resources.

Qualifications and Experience

• Current North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist.
• Lived experience with substance use disorder and/or mental health challenges, meeting eligibility requirements for NC PSS certification.
• Belief in the recovery potential of all people and is committed to the philosophy of peer support by reinforcing their ability to work and/or achieve personal goals.
• Ability to receive guidance, training, and mentoring to grow skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates leadership by modeling PRN’s mission, values, philosophy, and guidance to team members.
• Demonstrates taking personal responsibility, being dependable, reliable, working as a team player, and utilizing personal determination skills.
• Demonstrates honesty, integrity, is ethical and approachable.
• Ability to interact effectively with the public, providers, and other stakeholders.
• Committed to personal recovery and wellness and has a personal history of recovery and lived experiences in seeking and receiving crisis-based support.
• Ability to manage time and complete tasks.
• Knowledge of a variety of computer software applications in word processing, spreadsheets, databases and presentation.
• Demonstrate honesty, and integrity, is ethical, and is approachable.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written) using active and reflective listening, asking curious questions, validating others' experiences, remaining non-judgmental, and demonstrating effective conflict resolution skills.
• Must have a valid NC Driver’s license.

PRN believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity. We do not discriminate against our employees or applicants because of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual preference, sexual orientation, physical handicap or medical condition. Equal Employment Opportunity will be extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including recruitment, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall and termination.