Community Outreach Coordinator: Community Outreach Program

About our organization

The Latin American Health Alliance (LAHA) is a dedicated non-profit organization based in Central Massachusetts, focused on improving the health and well-being of underserved communities, particularly Latinx population. Through comprehensive programs such as the Hector Reyes House, we provide culturally sensitive addiction recovery services, healthcare access, and educational support. Our mission is to foster long-term health, stability, and empowerment, promoting sustainable solutions for individuals facing significant challenges related to substance use disorders. We are committed to creating a positive impact and addressing health disparities through collaboration, compassion, and advocacy.

Position Summary:

The Amore Agape Street Outreach Peer Specialist Coordinator is a Spanish speaking peer professional with Certified Recovery Coach credentials who will help facilitate LAHA's new street outreach program in Worcester and surrounding county. Reporting to the Program Director, the Street Outreach Peer Specialist will use their personal lived experience in this role to engage individuals, help meet immediate safety and comfort needs, support through decision-making, share coping skills, and make linkages to clinical treatment, harm reduction, recovery services, and other support services. A driver's license is required to travel between local congregate settings and offer transportation for individual's outpatient and residential treatment facilities and support services.

Job Scope:

• Has lived experience utilizing mental health and/or substance use services.
• Conducts field, and some phone, outreach to locate and engage individuals who have substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.
• Provides peer recovery support to clients by sharing life experiences, assisting clients to develop a recovery plan, linking clients with community-based programs supportive of recovery.
• Offers reinforcement to individuals already engaged in treatment.
• Educates individuals about program services, benefits, and self-help techniques.
• Assist individuals in clarifying their treatment and recovery goals, & development of treatment plans.
• Supports program participants in pre-crisis or crisis situations.
• Teaches participants recovery skills, based on shared life experiences.
• Shares information with participants about benefits, entitlements, and other supports
• Helps participants transition from different levels of care as needed.
• Provides individuals, their families and community members with links to community-based treatment and recovery support services.
• Provides education on symptom management and coping skills. Supports and encourages individuals to take a proactive role in their recovery process.
• Transport, if needed, accompanies & provides individuals with a warm handoff to treatment services.
• Educates & refers individuals for MAT services and assists in applying for benefits, housing, if needed.
• Maintains accurate and updates records in accordance with the program's policies and procedures.
• Attends local and regional SUD and MH Task Force and community meetings.

Qualifications:

• Ability to work with diverse social, cultural, and economic communities, fluency in Spanish is mandatory.
• Self-identification as being in recovery from mental health and/or substance use life challenges, with experience as recipients of services.
• Willingness to strategically disclose and use lived experience as support tool for others.
• Credentialed as a MA Certified Addiction Recovery Coach.
• Dual certification as MA Certified Peer Specialist preferred but not required.
• At least 1 (one) year providing peer services, preferably in a community-facing role.
• Knowledge of, and ability to articulate principles of trauma-informed care, harm reduction & SUD.
• Some experience with and familiarity with Worcester County service landscape, including clinical treatment, recovery supports, housing, food pantries, clothing closets, criminal justice system, etc.
• Knowledge of best practices, including Assertive Engagement, Motivational Interviewing, etc.
• Ability to assist I the development of recovery plans.
• Experience with Electronic Health Records preferred.
• Demonstratable organizational and communication skills, which will enable effective interaction with fellow team members, individuals/clients/families, and the community.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Clean driver's license.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Pay: $24.00 per hour

Other:

• Background check required for all employees
• Full-Time: 40 hours per week
• Location: Worcester, MA

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)
• MA Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (Preferred)
• MA Certified Peer Specialist (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to $24.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• How many years of experience do you have providing peer services in a community-facing role?

Experience:

• Addiction and Recovery Coaching: 1 year (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Worcester, MA 01610: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person