Lutheran Social Services of Southern California (LSSSC) Working to End Poverty in Southern California

PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST TRAINING PROGRAM

LSSSC has launched a very important project for the Mental Health Community in CA – the training and support of individuals who wish to become Peer Support Specialists (PSS). This project, funded by a grant from the CA Dept. of Health Care Access & Information (HCAI) and administered by the Workforce Education & Training (WET) Grant Program is a component of the CA’s Mental Health Services Administration (MHSA). This unique WET program grant provides opportunities for public, private, and nonprofit organizations, including faith based and community-based organizations to conduct training for those with lived experience defined as individuals with a mental/behavioral health services background as a consumer, family member, and/or caregiver. LSSSC will also support the placement of peer personnel in jobs and volunteer positions. Most of the training, and most individual support, are conducted on-line in a format that allows the participants to learn at their own pace.

Click Here To Learn More And Enroll

ABOUT LUTHERAN
SOCIAL SERVICES

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California began in December 1944 when a group of San Diego area Lutheran congregations came together to discuss how to better assist families in need. We began discussing how to form a Welfare Commission. The vision expanded when we came together with another group of Lutheran congregations in the Los Angeles area having the very same conversation. Lutheran Social Services of Southern California was officially incorporated in 1946 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social service agency. The mission has stayed true to its earliest beginnings, to be a servant to those in need. Today LSSSC serves thousands of individuals and families throughout Southern California with over 70 different programs/services at nearly 20 different locations. We are part of the Lutheran Services in America (LSA) network and strive to serve those in need with dignity
and respect

JAZIAH: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A PEER
SUPPORT SPECIALIST?

Watch Here

INTRODUCTION FROM THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR MIRIAN RODRIGUEZ

Watch Here

ABOUT THE PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST TRAINING & PLACEMENT PROGRAM

A Peer Support Specialist has lived experience and is trained and certified to provide help and encouragement for others who are also working their way toward wellness. These specialists may go by different names in different settings. For example, they may be called Certified Recovery Support Specialists, and in the Department of Veterans Affairs, they are referred to as Peer Support Technicians. Regardless of what title they have, Peer Support Specialists all have a common commitment to helping others, working from a strengths-based perspective. Utilizing peers with shared experiences to deliver services is empowering, and research has proven that this approach is a highly effective in program in reaching those in need. If you are interested in learning more about how to become a Peer Support Specialist, or just want to learn more about the profession, just follow the link by clicking on the button below. It will take you to the LSSSC PSS Web Page. Thank you for your interest.

Click Here To Learn More And Enroll

Ambassadors are short-term volunteers who open doors for our organization in the community, introducing new people at our bi-monthly Fostering Community Care event. These are one hour awareness events only (no solicitations are made) to expose people to the great work of LSS Community Care. To become an Ambassador here are your responsibilities:

1 – Attend at least one Fostering Community Care event during the calendar year
2 – Host or invite and bring 10-15 guests to one Fostering Community Care event within 3 months of your attending one yourself.
3 – Inform your invited guests of what the Fostering Community Care meeting will be about, and let them know that they will receive a follow up call from the organization
4 – Ambassadors will complete their commitment after bringing 10-15 persons within the 3 month time period. An Ambassador has the option to complete after one term, continue for another 3 month term or move into another role on the team.

Become an Ally

Allies are community members who want to be in a supportive, intentional, befriending relationship with an individual or family working to get out of poverty.

Other ways to help the Southern California Family Support Initiative

Be an Ad-Hoc Ally – share your special skill or talent
Be a member of your local Community Leadership Team
Assist with weekly Child Care/Children’s Programs
Be a Community Spokesman – talk about the initiative and recruit others to join
Financially Sponsor a Family Leader
Facilitate/assist with Training Our Leaders and Allies
Behind-the-scenes work – internet research, graphic design, writing

We are actively seeking individuals and groups to be a part of our on-going mission to serve those in need. LSS administers over 50 specialized programs and services throughout the Southern California region. Contact your nearest LSS Center to hear about the local opportunities they have available.

Be a positive role model
Give back to others and help change lives
Transform communities
Spend your time doing something rewarding
Meet new people
Have fun
Learn new skills, share your talents, build your resume

The life you change most – may be your own!