Certified Peer Specialist – Scranton Community Corrections

Certified Peer Specialist – Scranton Community Corrections

Position Purpose:

An employee in this job is responsible for providing peer support services to reentrants from state correctional institutions who reside in Community Corrections Centers. Work involves collaborating with reentrants diagnosed with a mental illness or serious emotional disturbance, providing information and support, and assisting individuals through the recovery process. Work involves assisting individuals in self-identifying personal goals for recovery; determining the steps needed to achieve recovery goals; supporting individuals in identifying and securing needed resources and services; and providing an environment of mutual respect, empowerment, and opportunity to promote self-sufficiency within the community. Work also involves providing information on public services, educational opportunities, and employment and vocational skill supports and assisting individuals with recognizing their strengths and recovery options. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Bureau of Community Corrections Counselor Supervisor and is evaluated for effectiveness through observation and review of prepared records and reports.

Description of Duties:

• Assists reentrants with developing their individual reentry plans by drawing on their common experience(s) and other activities aimed at increasing their peers’ active participation in person-centered planning and the delivery of individualized services.
• Meets reentrants upon their initial reception into the CCC, provide information on mental health services available, and observe new reentrants for evidence of mental illness or impending crisis
• Promotes participation in Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) planning among peers and partners with peers to create, review, and attain goals associated with these and other recovery plans.
• Shares personal recovery stories and describes personal experiences to inspire and support individuals throughout the recovery process.
• Supports reentrants with problem solving related to their reintegration into the community.
• Provides information to reentrants regarding mental health and peer support services available at the CCC and in the local community
• Advises and informs individuals on community resources, including housing, employment, education, transportation, recreation, health, religious/spiritual, and other resources to meet their individual recovery goals.
• Provides reentrants with assistance in traveling out into the community, including attending appointments and using public transportation alongside the reentrant, during program hours of operation
• Provides individuals with support and guidance on recognizing the early signs of crisis, developing crisis plans, and implementing identified coping strategies; provides education about symptoms of mental illness to assist peer in understanding their mental illness and identifying relapse symptoms
• Assists individuals with developing and maintaining positive personal and social support networks, rehabilitation social support, advocacy, educational and vocational mentoring, and self-maintenance.
• Assists individuals with developing their self-help skills and cultivates their ability to make informed, independent choices; supports reentrant participation in community self-help groups
• Acts as a role model for reentrants in areas such as identifying personal strengths, conflict resolution, communicating effectively, and participation in treatment planning
• Plans and facilitates practical activities for individuals to increase their self-worth and improve their self-concepts.
• Assists in facilitating life skills groups within the Community Corrections Center (CCC).
• Coaches or teaches basic individual living skills, such as food preparation, meal planning, laundry, bill payment, and personal hygiene
• Attends treatment/recovery team meetings both in the CCC and in the community with reentrants
• Assists CCC staff in responding to crisis situations in the CCC and acts as an advocate for reentrants in crisis.
• Assists staff in identifying program elements that are conducive to recovery by sharing their unique perspective as a CPS and as a reentrant.
• Serves as an advocate to promote the development of needed services and the understanding of reentrant perspectives regarding CCCs and their role in the mental health delivery system.
• Observes and documents reentrants’ progress towards their reentry plan objectives
• Attends weekly one-on-one meetings with the position’s supervisor to discuss performance and current caseload.
• Documents services provided to individuals in the provided reporting format.
• Acts as an advocate for individuals to facilitate positive changes in their recovery.
• Attends workshops and trainings as required/approved to maintain a current perspective and skills in provision of mental health advocacy, and to maintain the required Certified Peer Specialist credential.
• Attends CCC and PADOC required trainings and workshops.
• Models coping techniques and self-help strategies.
• Reinforces hope and the potential for recovery to peers and others.
• Encourages and provides support for peers to advocate for themselves.
• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Proficiency in reading, writing and documentation
• Ability to follow policies and procedures of the CCC and uphold ethical standards of confidentiality
• Lived experience with a mental illness and justice-involvement living successfully
• Knowledge of mental health peer support services, the recovery process and how it applies to individuals with serious mental illness
• Ability to be a team player
• Demonstrates ability to arrive at work in a timely fashion
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Ability to work independently

Decision Making:

• Identifies the problems/issues which can be resolved at this position level versus that which must be referred to supervisor.
• Provides response to general consumer inquiries while assuring that inquiries and/or imminent safety issues or threats are either reported to CCC staff immediately.
• Consults with treatment team leaders and/or supervisor before providing problem resolution/intervention in response to specific consumer issues.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT/DETAILS:

• All positions require possession of an active Certified Peer Specialist certification.
• Contract ends 9/30/26. Applicants will have the opportunity to transition to full time employment with Peerstar working in home and community settings upon completion of the contract.