Peer Counselor - Jail Services

Position Summary:

The Peer Counselor provides peer support, outreach and coordination of services for individuals experiencing behavioral health and/or substance use challenges in our regional jail systems. The Peer Counselor provides outreach and engagement in the Chelan County and Douglas County jail systems. They utilize their own lived experience with recovery to engage individuals in services and assist them in navigating behavioral health, community systems and healthcare agencies from initial assessment up to 90 days after release.

Responsibilities:

Direct Support and Client Advocacy

• Assess clients’ from the referral list to determine which services and resources are needed using a person-centered approach and then develop a plan for care
• Provide peer support and work collaboratively with regional justice providers, outpatient mental health and substance use providers, and the local crisis system of care (Services may be provided in the community, a client’s home or a program referral locations) Support may include:
  • Crisis intervention services
  • Assisting with applying for benefits
  • Activities of daily living, psychological support, coordinating referrals, & transportation
  • Accessing community resources and connecting to eligible services including housing, medical, mental health, vocational, educational, financial, etc.
• Provide support and assistance with:
  • Intake and initial screening
  • Family treatment services
  • Medication management
  • Therapeutic psychoeducation including Illness Management and Recovery (IMR), and referrals to Involuntary Treatment (ITA) or Less Restrictive Alternative (LRA) services.
• Share personal experiences with recovery and service navigation, as appropriate, to build trust with clients, using active listening and compassion to support clients in their recovery journey

Community Coordination and Collaboration

• Establish and maintain working relationships with community resources, coordinate consumer treatment with other providers, and initiate referrals to medical providers and other community resources when appropriate.
• Provide outreach to individuals in the regional justice system, outpatient mental health or substance use disorder facilities, and all providers within the local crisis system of care; provide follow up support upon discharge to connect to longer term services
• Assess client for safety and de-escalate clients who are experiencing a crisis
• Facilitate communication between clients and service providers, and advocate on clients’ behalf as appropriate

Documentation and Supervision

• Support the completion of Quarterly outcomes reports
• Complete and maintain detailed and accurate documentation for services provided, within required timeframes.
• Report and document all services in the Electronic Medical record as well as other contractually required systems.
• Attend regular supervision meetings, team staffings, trainings, and other meetings as instructed
• Attend any community meetings asked to attend by supervisor

Perform other duties as assigned