Do you have experience parenting a child or grandchild who has received mental health or behavioral health services or with cross system involvement (Juvenile Justice; Mental and/or Behavioral Health treatment; Special Education; Substance Use Disorder Treatment)? You can bring your experience to positively impact youth and families. 

$1,000 sign-on bonus for new Seneca employees in this position!

As a Family Peer Counselor, you will provide case management, mental health, and crisis interventions as needed and work collaboratively with the members of the Mobile Response Team (MRT) and the Short-Term Assessment of Resource and Treatment (START) teams to complete risk screening and safety planning. The Family Peer Counselors’draws upon their own personal experience navigating systems to work individually with family members to engage them in the process, increase their involvement, and assist them in achieving their care plan goals. This includes a wide range of activities in order to function as a member of the supporting team as well as provide individual support. The Family Peer Counselor may also be involved in community awareness and leadership activities. 

ABOUT THE PROGRAMS

The Mobile Response Team (MRT) is a short-term program that supports youth and their families in crisis when there are concerns for immediate safety. The Mobile Response service is intended to offer families, schools, and providers an alternative to calling 911 when law enforcement may not be necessary for the level of presenting concerns.  The goal of MRT is to provide proactive, early intervention before crises escalate, to divert youth from more restrictive interventions, and to reduce the criminalization of mental health for young people.  MRT Crisis Response Staff provide these same-day crisis intervention services in homes, schools, and community locations in Pierce County.  Crisis Response Staff complete a comprehensive risk assessment and work with youth and caregivers to develop a safety plan. Crisis Response Staff collaborate with existing treatment team members and/or can provide linkage and advocacy to support youth in connecting to other mental health services.

The Short-Term Assessment of Resources and Treatment (START) Program provides stabilization services following a crisis involving a youth within the Pierce County community. The primary goals of the START Program are suicide prevention and safety planning, ongoing crisis management and development of coping skills for youth and their families along with collaboration with other treatment team providers serving the youth. The goal is to provide crisis stabilization and linkage to long-term services while providing same-day crisis services in the home or community.

ABOUT SENECA

Seneca Family of Agencies has been nominated among the Bay Area’s Top Workplaces for several consecutive years. We’re committed to providing traditionally marginalized communities with a network of excellent mental health, community-based, and educational services. We are committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourage people of color to apply. Our programs deeply engage in conversations and training on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to bring equity and justice to the youth and families we serve.

• Assist caregiver in understanding and navigating relevant systems while elevating their voice in systems they are involved in
• Utilize community knowledge to connect caregiver and youth with support networks and resources
• Collaborate with the Mobile Response Team for crisis intervention, risk assessments, and safety planning
• Provide case management services and referrals to additional resources while collaborating with youth's existing treatment team
• Support caregiver in completing identified action steps that may relate to employment, housing, benefits, youth's education, etc.
• Attend weekly program meetings, supervision, and trainings
• Complete accurate documentation, timecards, and expense reports in a timely manner
• Maintain a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends as needed

REQUIRED

• Lived experience parenting a child who has received mental or behavioral health treatment; OR involvement with cross system (Juvenile Justice; Mental and/or Behavioral Health treatment; Special Education; Substance Use Disorder Treatment) involvement; Required 
• Be part of a rotating emergency overnight and weekend on-call system, scheduled with supervisor ahead of time
• Paid or unpaid experience working with youth or families, or working in the social services field
• Minimum High School Diploma
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Clearance of TB test, fingerprints, and any other state or federal requirements
• Own vehicle, Valid Washington driver's license and insurability with Seneca's automobile policy
• Must show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations

PREFERRED

• Experience or interest in working with youth and families
• Strong writing and organizational skills
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team

• Full-time
  • Monday to Friday
  • 10:00 am-6:30 pm
• Flexible schedule with the ability to participate in Overnight and weekend on-call shifts required
  

• Starting at $24.40 - $26.90 per hour
• Actual salary is dependent on creditable experience above the minimum qualifications for the role
• $1,000 sign-on Bonus
• Additional compensation provided upon passing bilingual language proficiency exam
• Mileage reimbursement
• Salary increases each year
• Stipends provided to staff members participating in the emergency on-call shifts
• Comprehensive employee benefits package, including:
  • Medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, acupuncture, and fertility coverage
  • Long-term disability, family leave, and life insurance
  • 50% paid premiums for dependents
  • 403b retirement plan
  • Employer-paid Employee Assistance Plan
• 5 weeks of paid time off and 11 paid holidays
• Seneca is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness certified employer
• Scholarship opportunities, ongoing training, and professional development opportunities
• Promotional opportunities across the agency in California and Washington

Keywords: Crisis Counselor, Crisis Support Specialist, Certified Peer Counselor Credential