Jail In-Reach PEER Specialist

Forensic Peer Mentor

Claratel Behavioral Health is an innovative, community-based behavioral health and developmental disabilities services organization offering a full range of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorder services to underserved individuals. As a public, not-for-profit organization, Claratel Behavioral Health operates in more than 20 locations in DeKalb County, Georgia, with a diverse workforce of more than 400 direct-care and support staff.

If you are passionate about driving change in behavioral health and developmental services and are eager to work in an environment that values innovation and inclusivity, Claratel Behavioral Health is the place for you. Here, your work is impactful, your growth is prioritized, and your well-being is supported. Together, we can forge pathways to a healthier future for all.

Job Summary

The Forensic Peer Mentor (FPM) provides peer support services to assist in release planning for individuals in DeKalb County jail who have demonstrated symptoms of a mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders. The FPM provides one-on-one recovery-focused services to assist individuals with referrals for continued behavioral health services, housing, and other resources in the community. The FPM, under supervision from the Targeted Case Management Program Manager, performs a wide range of tasks to assist peers in regaining control over their own lives and over their recovery process including advocacy, providing resources to connect with other peers, WRAP plan development, and use of lived experience and personal recovery story. Functions as a role model of maintaining recovery and ongoing utilization of wellness and recovery tools. Monitors peer progress towards treatment goals. Assists with coordination of care, attends agency and intra-agency meetings in the jail and community, participate in systems evaluations to enhance supports in services and provide family education and utilization of natural supports in the community.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides community transition planning according to guidelines
• Completes the community transition plan with individuals in the DeKalb County Jail
• Provides screening to support access to necessary services and resources (mental health, substance abuse, SSDI, entitlements, housing, HUM, etc.)
• Provides referral and linkage to services and supports that decrease hospitalization, incarceration, and homelessness
• Arranges outpatient follow-up services at DeKalb CSB or other community provider as preferred by the individual
• Completes the Georgia Housing Needs Survey and assists individuals with referrals to housing resources as needed
• Conducts follow-up activities with individuals released from jail into community programs and services to insure successful integration into the community
• Participates in multidisciplinary team meetings
• Provides timely, high-quality documentation for all service contacts in accordance with agency/regulatory standards requirements
• Meets regularly with program manager as a means of enhancing professional growth, reviewing, and evaluating the provision of services, and attend to required administrative issues
• Facilitates communication between various community providers on behalf of individual
• Develops a network of trusted contacts of organizations and agencies in which to refer and coordinate care
• Maintains ethical standards and immediately communicates issues of safety and/or individual risk issues to program manager
• Maintains data: individual contacts made, number of visits, service linkages provided, successful engagement post-release
• Attends all required DBHDD sponsored meetings as well as local coordinated agency meetings as scheduled
• Maintains clinical service delivery hours each month
• Additional duties as assigned by the Team Lead, Program Manager, and/or Director

Working Conditions

• Primary work setting will be in the DeKalb County Jail, along with office and community environments
• Monday-Friday 8:15am-5:00pm - May require evening/weekend or adjusted hours due to program and community events
• Ability to use a computer, telephone, fax, copy and scanning machine
• Must complete/pass agency-sponsored defensive driving course, as well as all other agency-required trainings

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• One continuous year as a current or former recipient of treatment (including mental health or substance use treatment)
• Proficient technology skills to be able to use electronic medical record, computer, telehealth system, and cell phone
• Knowledge of and experience working with local behavioral health, social services and criminal justice systems
• Care coordination skills to assist individuals with accessing/linking to additional resources and/or services within the agency and/or community
• Must have ability to work from a recovery-focused, person-centered, trauma-informed care model
• Must have a valid Georgia driver's license and transportation to and from work
• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Must be organized, detail oriented, and reliable
• Ability to work with a high risk/high needs population
• Must value cultural differences
• Ability to obtain CPS within 12 months of hire
• Ability to obtain Forensic Peer Mentor Certification
• Certification as Peer Specialist (CPS) or Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist (CARES), preferred
• Associate degree in field of human services preferred
• Certification as a Forensic Peer Mentor, preferred

Pre-employment drug screening and successful completion of a criminal history background check is required.

Claratel Behavioral Health participates in E-Verify (Company ID: 226305)

Claratel Behavioral Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates who may require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act or similar law to perform the essential functions of this job are encouraged to contact Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io.