Mental Health and Addiction Peer Support Worker

Position Title

Mental Health and Addiction Peer Support Worker

**Position Summary**:
The **Mental Health and Addiction Peer Support Worker**is responsible for providing provide peer support to people who have been released from jail; harm reduction education, overdose prevention information/tools, community accompaniment, connecting clients to community supports, 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 the mental health.

**Job Accountabilities**
- Provide peer/case management support to a caseload of 15-20 clients.
- Produce and maintain logs, files, records or statistical information through the use of sufficient written and computer skills.
- Connect directly with people released from custody, their family members, and/or loved ones to provide immediate support, conduct brief needs assessments, advocacy and make referrals accordingly.
- Attend Reintegration Services site and the immediate vicinity of the jail’s Release and Property doors to approach potential service users and their loved ones.
- 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.
- Assist with research and evaluation endeavors as directed.
- Actively participate in formal supervision sessions on a regular basis (i.e. every four weeks) and weekly bi-weekly team meetings as required.
- Work closely and collaborate with Probation and Parole Officers, community partners, and other stakeholders in a professional manner.
- Accompany service users to referral destinations, medical appointments etc.
- Ensure client confidentiality as per agency policy.
- Ensure ongoing and open communication with colleagues and supervisor to afford the best outcomes for clients.

**Working Conditions and Environment**
- Hybrid role of working in the community, office and from home.
- Commute between Peel and Halton to meet with clients in the community.
- 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 as an employee of the agency
- Maintain a current understanding of resources/services available in the community
- Ability to comply with deadlines as directed by management
- Demonstrate effective time management skills
- Participate in relevant training opportunities in order to keep skills and outlook current/effective
- Provide supervision to 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 Services/Human Services field required.
- Minimum of 2 years experience in the social service field required.
- Personal lived experience in the areas of homelessness and/or corrections 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.
- Valid drivers license and vehicle required.