Current Employment Positions

Family Guidance Centers, Inc. (FGC), a not-for-profit behavioral healthcare organization, treats and prevents substance use disorder, as well as an array of other related problems. Since 1969, FGC’s comprehensive programming has educated and guided individuals toward their full potential as productive members within their own families and our society. Family Guidance Centers, Inc seeks to support the behavioral health of individuals, families, and communities through our commitment to innovation, accountability, and compassionate care to facilitate positive, lasting change.

Family Guidance Centers, Inc. is seeking a Peer Support Specialist to increase engagement in care for racial and ethnic medically underserved individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) who are at risk for or with HIV. As part of CSAT’s Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI) program, the FGC Peer Support Specialist will collaborate with staff at The University of Illinois Health-Mile Square Health Center (MSHC) to provide education, case management, and referral/linkage to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) services for individuals who screen negative for HIV but are at increased risk of exposure to HIV. The Peer Support Specialist will also engage individuals with or at risk for HIV in evidence-based substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services.

Looking for someone with lived recovery experience.

Essential Duties:

·         Provides individualized, ongoing guidance, coaching and support for individuals in the MAI High Risk program with OUD who have (or are at risk of) HIV.

·         Responsible for HIV screenings, HIV pre/post-test counseling; and outreach services to engage and retrain individual in MAT and HIV services.

·         Initiates, in collaboration with the individual patient, a recovery plan that will focus on the community-based resources that the individual can use to support their continued recovery.

·         Uses evidence-based techniques including Motivational Interviewing to support patients in identifying and creating goals and developing recovery plans with the skills, strengths, supports and resources to aid them in achieving those goals.

·         Establishes and maintains regular contacts with COI staff in identifying referrals to our grant. 

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (6:00a - 2:30p); based on agency need 

Start Date: ASAP

Work Location: 310 West Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL

2630 South Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL

1220 South Wood St, Chicago, IL

Pay Rate: up to $18.00, based on experience.

Family Guidance Centers, Inc. is a Drug Free Environment (including THC and/or CBD).

DCFS clearance required.

Family Guidance Centers, Inc. is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity without regard for race, ethnicity , pregnancy, gender, protected veterans status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion. 

Education and/or Experience: A minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent is required. Lived experience required. Some formal or informal experience in behavioral healthcare and/or community relations arena is preferred. Awareness of the importance of recovery in living with an addiction. Past experience working directly with people in a service-oriented field is preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: A CPRS is required within 2 years from date of hire.

Family Guidance Centers Inc. offers opportunities for individuals with an interest in behavioral health. Our organization provides a comprehensive benefit package for full time employment that includes:

• Health Insurance
• Dental 
• Vision
• Life Insurance,
• EAP 
• 401k pension plan
• Vacation, sick and personal days with paid holidays off are included in our paid time off compensation package