JAIL DIVERSION PEER SUPPORT

About Middle Peninsula Northern Neck Behavioral Health (MPNN BH)

Connecting people to developmental and behavioral health services to create opportunities for healing, growth, and recovery.

Our organization provides services designed to help members of our community achieve their individual goals. MPNN BH has over 60 distinct programs to aid and support all ages and many situations.

Job Summary

The Jail Diversion Peer Specialist provides direct support to individuals with mental health and co-occurring needs involved with the criminal justice system. This position is a peer-based role, leveraging lived experience with behavioral health or justice system involvement to engage, support, and guide participants through diversion services. The Peer Specialist works collaboratively with BH staff, law enforcement, and community partners to reduce jail involvement and promote recovery, stabilization, and connection to community-based supports.

Job Responsibilities

• Participant Engagement & Support

• Provide peer-based support, advocacy, and mentoring to participants referred through the Jail Diversion Program.

• Establish trusting relationships and model recovery-oriented practices.

• Assist participants in navigating behavioral health services, housing, employment, and other community supports.

• Jail Diversion Services

• Actively engage with a target population of at least 28 individuals during the FY26 performance period.

• Collaborate with law enforcement, courts, probation officers, and other partners to identify and divert eligible individuals from incarceration.

• Participate in pre-booking, post-booking, and community-based diversion planning as appropriate.

• Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate, timely records in compliance with CSB policies and DBHDS reporting requirements.

• Support preparation of quarterly and annual narrative and finance reports per grant deadlines.

• Collaboration & Team Participation

• Attend team meetings, case reviews, and training sessions as required.

• Work closely with BH staff, regional partners, and community agencies to ensure continuity of care.

• Participate in quality improvement activities and program evaluation initiatives.

• Professional Development & Compliance

• Maintain knowledge of behavioral health, criminal justice, and peer support best practices.

• Comply with all relevant DBHDS, CSB, and grant requirements.

• Other Duties, as assigned

Job Requirements

Essential

• Must pass all required Background Checks.
• Must possess a valid Virginia Driver's License with reliable transportation and driving record acceptable to agency insurance carrier.
• Must obtain a TB test with satisfactory results within 30 days of employment, and yearly thereafter as required by licensing authority.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent; additional training in behavioral health, peer support, or social services preferred.

Experience

• Lived experience with mental health or justice system involvement.
• Strong communication, advocacy, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong communication, advocacy, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary
• Travel: Requires occasional travel within the 10 counties MPNN BH serves, which may include driving a vehicle.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance (TLC Anthem BCBS)
• Generous paid time off and holiday pay (12 paid holidays, PTO accrued monthly)
• Professional development opportunities
• Retirement plan through Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Work site qualified under NHSC, click the link to check eligibility for loan forgiveness http://www.nhsc.hrsa.gov/

The agency of MPNN Behavioral Health maintains a drug free workplace.

Benefits listed are for full time qualifying employees. EOE