Peer Support Worker, Addictions and Mental Health

_Become part of the ADAPT team; the team that makes a difference, supports its employees in their career development and creates a positive environment to work in._

**POSITION**:Peer Support Worker - Youth Concurrent Disorders Community Liaison

**HOURS**:Mainly evenings (until 8:30)

**This position will be classified as a 1.0 FTE**

**Please attach a cover letter that highlights your lived experience that is required for the job.**
- **WHAT'S THERE FOR YOU?**_
- You will work with a fun, cooperative and diverse team. This group will provide you many opportunities to learn from other professions and enhance your skills and abilities when providing services to your clients. It's an interesting role, with excellent work-life balance._

**SUMMARY**

The key role of Peer Support Worker is to support individuals affected by alcohol / drug use and/or those concerned about the use of a friend and/or family member. A critical focus for the work of the peer support worker is to foster hope and assist individuals in establishing their goals and working through their treatment plan. Peer Support Worker will assist with questions and concerns related to their own or someone else’s involvement with drugs and/or alcohol.
- **ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**_
- Act as a role model in self-care and self-awareness;
- Conduct individual support meetings with clients;
- Co-facilitate education and support groups for clients, parents, and caregivers;
- Refer clients to other appropriate support services and agencies according to the clients’ needs;
- Work closely with both ADAPT clinical staff and community service partners to ensure comprehensive service to clients;
- Work with ADAPT clinical staff to coordinate case plans;
- Accompany clients to relevant appointments and/or recreational and therapeutic activities in the community;
- Participate in case conferences/consultation with treatment providers, including physicians, other community organizations and other significant person, as deemed appropriate;
- Maintain current information on community resources;
- Maintain a collaborative working relationship with Halton substance abuse and mental health agencies;
- Participate in team and staff meetings, supervision and training activities;
- Facilitate linkages for clients to other community resources;
- Serve as a role model for clients in both individual and group settings;
- Assist in program development discussions and activities;
- Maintain accurate, current records of activities with clients as per case recording standards;
- Provide all reporting as required by the Halton Region Community Investment Fund (HRCIF);
- Participate in all reviews conducted by the Region of Halton pertaining to the HRCIF;
- Participate in the Peer Support Worker network meetings and activities;
- Participate in activities to promote community awareness and knowledge of ADAPT programs and services;
**EDUCATION**
- Post-secondary education;
- Training in Peer Support Work (Ex. Core Skills SHH/TEACH, Core Essentials OPDI);
**RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE**
- Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience, working with youth up to the age of 24;
- Personal experience with substance use/ addictions concerns with or without mental health concerns, and active in your recovery journey;
- Demonstrated period of stable abstinence (minimum 2 years);
**SKILLS**
- Knowledge of alcohol and/or drug use; an appreciation for and knowledge of mental health issues and their co-existence with substance use.
- Knowledge/familiarity of the mental health, addiction and social service systems.
- Understanding of the rights of people using healthcare services, specifically in mental health and substance use/addictions.
- A willingness to share with others what you have learned in your recovery to inspire hope.
- A willingness to work with a diverse group of clienteles (young adults, youth, adults and/ or family members).
- Respectful and aware of client-worker boundaries.
- Strong communication and active listening is required.
- Ability to: function independently, maintain effective working relationships with others, work effectively under pressure or deadlines and work outside regular office hours as required, use good judgement to make sound decisions.
- Interpersonal skills that require an attention to detail and rapport building with clients.
- Comfort with both the harm reduction and abstinence-based approaches to addiction treatment.
- Ability to successfully deliver culturally responsive services.
- Cultural knowledge of key populations in Halton Region that will be served to address disparities in specific services.
- Ability to communicate and effectively interact with people across cultures, ranges of ability, genders, ethnicities, and races.
- Basic knowledge of the history of discrimination in America, particularly as it relates to race and racism, and how this history has led to disparities experienced by marginalized Communities such as BIPOC, peopl