CHILDRENS HOME ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS·Peoria, Illinois
The Peer Support Specialist provides trauma-informed, recovery-oriented support to individuals and families in behavioral health crises. Working as part of a Mobile Crisis Response team, they assist with crisis de-escalation and stabilization in community and home settings.
CHAIL is a youth, family, and community focused 501(c)(3) organization with multiple locations and 450 staff, located in Peoria, IL. For over 160 years CHAIL has been helping the kids and families who need it most. Children’s Home Association of Illinois (CHAIL) is the largest social service agency for youth and families in downstate Illinois. The services we provide don’t just impact the individual child, they create positive ripple effects within their immediate family, neighborhood, community, and world by providing an opportunity to thrive.
Here at CHAIL, employees experience a “People First - Culture of Care” working atmosphere.
From the most tenured staff to the newest team member, everyone is welcomed into a community that prioritizes diversity, equity, wellness, belonging, and good health.
Starting with our CEO/President and migrating to every employee, this agency takes pride in taking care of each other.
We believe if our employees are cared for, they can better live out the mission of the agency which is to help the kids and families who need it most.
By putting our people first at CHAIL, they have the opportunity to share their expertise, talents, and passions with clients as they are changing the lives of the kids who will change the world.
Our employees at CHAIL will tell you that they love working for the agency because they love what the agency does!
The Peer Support Specialist (PSS) provides trauma-informed, recovery-oriented support to individuals and families experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Drawing from lived experience, the PSS engages individuals to promote hope, self-determination, and empowerment while assisting with crisis de-escalation and stabilization.
The PSS is an integral member of a Mobile Crisis Response (MCR) team, partnering with a Crisis Clinician to provide team-based crisis intervention, community-based support, and follow-up stabilization services. Services are delivered in home, community, and other natural settings.
CHAIL provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Candidates must be at least 21 years old with a high school diploma and lived experience with behavioral health needs. HFS-approved Peer Support certification is required at hire or must be obtained within one year of employment.
Market context
Behavioral health positions in Illinois often draw steady interest because employers look for licensed or graduate-prepared candidates who can work in clinical, community, or care-coordination settings. This role is competitive because the required background is specific—either a master’s degree in a human services field or an active Illinois RN license, with behavioral health experience preferred. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your licensure, degree, and setting experience before applying.
