Peer Support Worker

Position Summary:

The Mental Health and Addiction Peer Support Worker is responsible for providing peer support to people who have been released from jail; harm reduction education, overdose prevention information/tools, community accompaniment, connecting clients to community support, informal counseling, follow-ups and advocacy. If appropriate and/or possible, may provide direct client services at the Maplehurst Correctional Institution to assist with release.

Specific Peer Support as it applies to this position: someone with lived experience of incarceration and/or substance use, and/or mental health.

Job Accountabilities

• Connect directly with individuals released from custody to provide immediate support, conduct brief needs assessments, and make referrals accordingly.
• Establish and maintain supportive relationships with people engaging with the program
• Share lived/living experiences with individuals engaged with our services when this is of service to them
• Manage a caseload of up to 20 clients
• Advocate with and, if necessary for, individuals engaging in the program
• Act as a role model in demonstrating the ways you support yourself
• Provide reassurance and support when there are experiences of crisis or distress
• Support the exploration of choices and options with people engaging with our services
• Support inbound referrals and intake processes
• Attend community meetings and assist with data collection as needed.
• Present information about the agency and its programs as a representative of John Howard Society of Peel-Halton-Dufferin in public settings as directed.
• Actively participate in formal supervision sessions on a regular basis (e.g.: every four weeks) as well as daily de-briefing sessions as required.
• Cooperate and collaborate with Probation and Parole Officers, community partners, and stakeholders in a professional manner.
• Accompany service users on public transit to referral destinations, medical appointments, etc.
• Produce and maintain logs, files, records or statistical information through the use of sufficient written and computer skills.
• Ensure client confidentiality, as per agency policy.
• Ensure ongoing and open communication with colleagues and supervisor, to afford the best outcomes for clients.
• Identify deficiencies in current program practices and make recommendations for improvements.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the senior management team.

Working Conditions and Environment

• Maintain workplace confidentiality and work within the policies and procedures as outlined, while respecting the mission, vision and principles of the agency
• Conduct self with integrity and respect as it applies to the role of an employee representative of the agency
• Work collaboratively with team members, and in a spirit of congeniality with all staff
• Maintain a current understanding of resources/services available in the community which could be of assistance to the clients
• Ability to comply with deadlines as directed by management
• Demonstrate effective time management and an ability to refocus after interruptions from co-workers, clients and management
• Participate in team meetings and other committees as needed
• Participate in relevant training opportunities to keep skills and outlook current/effective
• Provide supervision for student placements and/or volunteers as requested by manager
• Represent the agency at community events, public speaking engagements, etc. at the direction of management.

Qualifications:

• Formal education in relevant degree/diploma programs in Social Work/Human Services
• Personal lived experience in the areas of incarceration and/or substance use, and/or mental health
• Knowledge of local community resources across the city of Peel-Halton-Dufferin, especially in the area housing/homelessness/mental health and addiction.
• Must display a non-judgmental and anti-oppressive attitude.
• Familiarity and ability to support harm reduction approaches for people who use substances.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required to work in a one-on-one context and within a team environment.
• Strong personal/professional boundaries, crisis intervention, de-escalation and problem-solving skills to intervene in conflict situations.
• Be committed to continuous learning through the receipt of training on harm reduction, HIV/AIDS, Hep C and sexually transmitted infections, reintegration strategies and other relevant topics for people who were in jail.