Recovery Counselor - Peer Support (Reentry)

Pay Range: $22.89 - 26.32 /hr.

Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:0 am - 4:30 pm

Office Location: 8541 S State St, Chicago, IL 60619

Reentry Services at Trilogy receives referrals from both Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) and Cook County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) to support individuals with Severe Mental Illness who are at risk of homelessness when returning to their communities. The programs offer a mix of permanent supportive housing, short term transitional placement, and high intensity case management services. The program prioritizes individuals with severe mental illness, Murphy Class members (individuals with sex offense convictions), individuals in need of placement for pretrial electronic monitoring, and other individuals considered “hard to house” and otherwise unable to leave a correctional facility without a housing placement.

The Recovery Counselor - Peer will assess the client’s personal, medical, emotional, social, and environmental situation to plan for treatment course through home, community, and office visits. They will provide client-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-informed services to clients with severe mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use/addiction disorders utilizing a harm reduction approach. The Recovery Counselor - Peer will provide at least 75% of all community support services in the community. They will leverage their lived experience of incarceration when appropriate to

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with CCSO and internal Trilogy team to identify, outreach, and connect with referrals in Cook County Jail’s Residential Treatment Units and Cermak Hospital.
• Support coverage of one evening shift per week to accommodate evening discharges from Cook County Jail.
• Provide court support, assistance with pretrial services and probation compliance, and other legal system navigation as needed to mitigate the risk of return to incarceration.
• Assess client’s personal, medical, emotional, social, and environmental situation through home, community, and office visits.
• Coordinate the establishment of an individual recovery plan with the client, client’s support system, and other care providers.
• Model for clients good communication skills, recovery-oriented living skills, effective coping skills, and self-help strategies.
• Actively participate in Peer Support meetings and activities to gain additional support in position.
• Remain aware of individual signs of burnout/feeling overwhelmed in the role and seek support as needed.
• Acquire a CRSS credential within 12 months of hire.
• Complete daily progress notes based on services provided to clients in a timely manner reflected in Trilogy’s documentation policy and agency standards
• Recognize and act on opportunities to move clients to appropriate levels of care; provide referrals to additional services as indicated.
• Assist clients in identifying signs and symptoms of de-compensation, assess for crisis situations and or the need for stabilization through hospitalization. Work collaboratively with clients to identify coping skills to assist in managing symptoms and stressors experienced.
• Assist clients in learning and improving independent living skills; i.e. personal hygiene, housekeeping skills, nutrition, and shopping for food and personal items
• Educate and assist clients with applying for entitlements; i.e. Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and LINK
• Accompany and transport clients to important appointments in the community and provide support with issues related to housing, substance use, budgeting, social support, legal issues, and medication.
• Advocate on client’s behalf and empower clients to advocate on behalf of themselves when appropriate
• Communicate effectively within the team model for a multi-disciplinary approach to client care.
• Perform other related duties and/or projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must have one of the following requirements:
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • High School Diploma or GED and two years of supervised clinical experience in a mental health setting.
• Must be a past or present consumer of mental health services and willing to share their personal story of recovery with our clients. Strong preference for a history of incarceration or other justice system involvement.
• CRSS certification through IAODAPCA or ability to obtain certification within 12 months of hire.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license with daily access to a well-maintained vehicle with $100,000/$300,000 liability insurance
• Experience working with people with mental health and/or substance use diagnoses preferred
• Experience in community-based services preferred.

Benefits:

• FREE Virtual Primary Care, Urgent Care, and Mental Health Counseling for ALL Employees
• PAID Maternity/Paternity leave
• Medical Insurance (BCBS of IL)
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term & Short-Term Disability
• Pet Insurance
• FSA (Health, Dependent Care, Transit)
• Telemedicine
• EAP
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Match

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.