Forensic Peer Mentor

Location Hiring For Johnson, Emanuel, Baxley, Integrated Treatment Facility State Prison. Forensic Peer Mentors living in recovery from mental health and/or addictive disease diagnoses have had Personal lived experience with the criminal justice system. They operate from the perspective that everyone who has lived experience with mental health and/or addictive diseases and involvement with the criminal justice system has the capacity to recover their lives and successfully live lives of meaning and purpose in the communities of their choice. The Forensic Peer Mentor (FPM) provides mentoring, peer support, linkage, and care coordination to promote the successful community reintegration of adults with a behavioral health diagnosis returning to the community following incarceration. The FPM works with returning citizens on-site within an assigned correctional facility who are within 12-18 months of their release date/TPM (tentative parole month), as well as in the community post-release, providing trauma-informed, culturally-competent direct services including linkage and assistance in developing transportation plans to community services, to facilitate access to entitlements and community-based behavioral health and other services. Using a person-centered approach to engagement, mental illness, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders, FPM's support returning citizens to reduce criminal recidivism, change behaviors, establish safety, develop supportive, healthy networks, and access community resources. FPM's perform a wide range of tasks to create mutual relationships with the returning citizens to regain control over their own lives and their own recovery process. To accomplish this, FPMs may engage in the following: Role model competency in recovery principles Role model and share effective coping skills Assist returning citizens in articulating their personal goals, identify potential outcomes and challenges, and provide needed support as identified by the returning citizens they are working with Assist returning citizens in creating and supporting them with ongoing maintenance of a personal Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Assist in identifying and supporting participation in mutual self-help support groups Role model and share problem-solving techniques with the returning citizens. Role model and share how to identify and overcome their fears. (i.e., in preparation for prison discharge and living lives of recovery in the community) Role model and share job-related skills Role model and share the skills needed for self-advocacy Assist with linking to community resources Assist in establishing and/or maintaining natural support systems Role model and share, effective coping techniques, and self-help strategies. Assist returning citizens in creating a Whole Health Action Management (WHAM) plan. Role model and share skills of reporting to probation/parole officers, judges, etc. Responsibilities Maintain a caseload of 1:30 per facility/1:15 per FPM, accepting referrals for returning citizens on levels 2, 3, and 4 at state prison facilities Provide mentoring, peer support, and linkage and care coordination to adults with behavioral health needs, including substance use disorders, mental illness, trauma histories, and extensive involvement in the criminal justice system Assess returning citizens' immediate needs, legal circumstances, and engagement needs to develop service plans and deliver appropriate short-term and referral Services Participate in correctional facility transition/release planning, support correctional facility clinical team with writing reentry plans for all returning citizens on caseload; attend and prepare for multidisciplinary team meetings Link returning citizens to treatment, self-help, and community resources as needed to progress toward goals; involve family, significant others, and treatment providers in service provision as needed and agreed upon with returning citizen Assist with problem-solving to address risk factors for criminal recidivism, personal safety, and community living; address criminal recidivism risk factors through targeted groups, linkage and care coordination, and problem-solving peer support sessions • Facilitate and/or assist in developing transportation plans for returning citizens to after-care appointments Act as advocate and liaison for returning citizens in securing housing, entitlements/benefits, treatment, medical care, and other community services and supports that are responsive to the needs of returning citizens Provide individual supportive peer counseling as needed, using appropriate evidence-based practices, e.g., motivational interviewing Educate returning citizens about their rights and instill hope in returning citizens Complete required documentation, including progress notes and significant data by documentation policies May provide education and information to promote public interest and advocacy for services for returning citizens with behavioral health needs May assist in program evaluation and research activities Maintain a working knowledge of current trends and developments in the behavioral health field by reading books, journals, and other relevant material Attend relevant job-related seminars, meetings, conferences, training, and conference' calls when offered Attend continuing education (CE) opportunities approved by the Georgia CPS Project and/or Georgia CARES Project to meet the required 12 CEU's needed each calendar year to maintain certification as a

CPS/CARES

Complete other related duties as required by supervisory staff Qualifications Graduate of a recognized Peer Mentor training program such as Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) or Georgia Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist (CARES) Training ( Training will be made Available ) Completion of Forensic Peer Training ( We will Train ) High school diploma or GED with related work experience. Must be a self-identified current or former recipient of behavioral health services with a history of involvement in the criminal justice system. As a peer in recovery from mental illness and/or substance abuse, the peer must be willing to utilize recovery experience to engage and support returning citizens; must embrace the philosophy of resilience and recovery, and be willing to be a role model for returning citizens with behavioral health needs Treats others with dignity and respect Effective oral and written communication skills and organizational skills are essential Ability to maintain confidential communications and protect the confidentiality of records. Commitment to working with integrity and ethics; ability to maintain appropriate boundaries with returning citizens and effective, collaborative working relationships with correctional facility staff Ability to work independently Proficiency with electronics, including cell phones/smartphone, computer, and databases, with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office Georgia driver's license with a clean driving record Reliable form of personal transportation

Work Environment/Physical Demands Summary:

The FPM works in the community and an office environment within a local correctional facility and uses a computer, telephone, and other office equipment as needed to perform duties. The noise level in the work environment is typical of that of an office within a correctional facility. Work also involves travel to returning citizens' homes, community provider locations, and meetings. FPMs may encounter frequent interruptions throughout the workday. The FPM is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear; frequently required to use repetitive hand motion, handle or feel, and stand, walk, reach, bend, or lift. To 20 pounds regularly and 30 pounds occasionally. Contact with the public in home, office, or prison/jail environments may risk exposure to irrational/hostile behavior, contagious diseases, or contact with domestic animals.' '

Work Remotely No Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

From $40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Health savings account Professional development assistance Retirement plan

Experience:

Personal Recovery:

2 years (Required) Willingness to travel: 50% (Required)

Work Location:

In person