Under the direction of the Program Manager of Special Projects and with federal, state, and local guidelines performs routine human services support work. Work involves providing information to individuals currently or recently incarcerated or involved in the criminal justice system.
Contributes as a member of the Re-entry Project in a peer support capacity to facilitate recovery and enhance wellness. Serves as a role model for recovery, for staff and consumers. Supports people using services to develop self-help skills. Provides practical support for people using services to access and utilize community support networks, such as transportation support, accompaniment, etc. Educates people about the range of available services in and beyond the agency. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
This is a grant-funded position through the Department of Justice (DOJ) for three (3) years with an anticipated end date of August 31, 2026.
This position works within the Denton County Jail assisting incarcerated individuals with mental health issues and substance use issues or individuals dual-diagnosed.
Education, Training and Experience (including licensure and certification)
· High School diploma or High School equivalency certificate.
· Received a minimum of one-year mental health services.
· History of incarceration and/or significant involvement with the criminal justice system.
· Received a minimum of one-year mental health and/or substance use services.
REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE OR OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:
· Must have and maintain a background and criminal history free from any disqualifying offenses as outlined by the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) and the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
· Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and automobile insurance.
o Individuals with an out of state driver's license must be able to obtain a driver's license in the state of Texas within thirty (30) days.
· Successful completion of all position-specific training within thirty (30) days of employment is required.
Position Title: Jail Peer Support Specialist Grant Funded: ? Yes ? No
Department: Clinical Services PAL: DOJ Grant
Reports to: Program Manager of Special Projects
FTE Status: FT Work Model: In Person
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8-5 pm ? Exempt ? Non-Exempt
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
· Self-identify as an individual who has direct personal experience living in recovery from mental health challenges, or substance use.
· Been previously incarcerated and/or have significant involvement with the criminal justice system.
· Act as an advocate for individuals with active mental illnesses who are being released from incarceration, with an understanding that these individuals may not be capable of participating in their own defense due to their illnesses.
· Have significant experience working on your own recovery and an ability to manage your own wellness.
· Have a desire to use your experiences to help others with their recovery.
· Be willing to publicly identify as a person living in recovery for the purpose of educating, role modeling, and providing hope to others about the reality of recovery.
· Be able to educate on legal processes and increase mental health functioning to help restore competency so that legal proceedings and knowledge of social services can resume.
· Have a primary diagnosis of a mental health condition or dual diagnosis, rather than just a substance abuse diagnosis, or have experienced emotional distress which significantly disrupted one's life.
· Ability to display regular and reliable attendance.
· Understanding and practice of Trauma Informed Care principles.
Essential Duties
The following list outlines key responsibilities for the position; however, it is not exhaustive and does not encompass all responsibilities. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.
1. Support the process of Person-Centered Planning with individuals current or recently involved with the criminal justice system:
o Using one's story as the cornerstone skill, educate people about the reality of recovery, support people to envision the possibility of recovery or a better future, support people to explore recovery questions and uncertainties.
o Using one's story as the cornerstone skill and other skills, teach people strategies for overcoming negative self-talk and fear.
o Using one's story, support people to choose both short term and long term goals of value in the community, including housing, employment, relationships, etc.; support people to articulate, in their own words, their goals and aspirations in the development of their service plans, assist people to explore the skills and supports needed to achieve their valued goals, support people to articulate their needs in the goal-making process, support people in learning skills of self-advocacy and self-determination, teach people skills and strategies to overcome taught helplessness, offer hope to others that they can take a lead role in their lives, assist people in articulating personal goals for recovery.
2. Support wellness planning for individuals currently or recently involved with the justice system.
o Advocate for individuals currently in Denton County Jail to receive appropriate mental health treatment while incarcerated or when appropriate as an alternative to incarceration.
o Share and support use of recovery tools including established best practices and individually developed tools and strategies.
o Provide education on dimensions of wellness (including physical, emotional, financial, spiritual) and ways to maintain personal wellness and recovery.
3. Prove education to individuals currently in Denton County Jail, regarding their current charges and justice system processes.
o Education on legal processes as they relate to the individual's charge.
4. Coordinate aftercare plans with QMHP's and jail staff
o Education individual on the purpose of an aftercare and the process
o When necessary be present at aftercare to support the individual.
o If the individual remains in custody post discharge from a psychiatric hospitalization, assist in preparing the individual for transition back into general population.
5. Support Community Inclusion for individuals currently or recently involved with the justice system.
o Facilitate 1:1 Peer Support with community members and individuals.
o Visit community resources with people using services to assist them in becoming familiar with potential opportunities.
o Educate about self-help and community peer resources.
o Support people's access to new resources.
o Support people's desires to practice new skills in the community.
6. Serves all individuals without regard to their background or history, placing the individual's needs above all other considerations. Models and practices recovery principles in all activities including hope, empowerment, responsibility, mutuality, and self-determination.
7. Serves as a positive role model demonstrating professional and caring attitudes and behaviors toward co-workers, individuals, and guests. Courteously provides assistance in a concise, informative manner, keeping a positive, courteous tone and appropriate non-verbal communication.
8. Maintains compliance with all state and agency training requirements, including Service Coordination and Medicaid Reimbursement and Billing Protocol. Follows the agency and departmental policies and procedures in a responsible manner consistent with the Center's mission.
9. Is present and on duty with no excessive time off. All use of vacation, compensatory, personal leave time is authorized in advance. Is aware of and demonstrates safe working habits. Complies with all facility safety standards set in place with the intention of protecting employees and individuals served.
10. Attends all team meetings as assigned.
o Communicates with supervisor if unable to attend a team meeting and meets with supervisor of designated staff within one week to go over agenda.
11. Ensures timesheet is kept up to date and accurately reflects time worked.
o Approves timesheet by deadline provided.