Peer Counselor - Diversion

About the position The Peer Counselor provides outreach, support, and coordination of services for individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges who may be at risk of incarceration, hospitalization, or involvement in the criminal court system. The goal of this position is to help stabilize behavioral health needs and divert individuals from incarceration or hospitalization into the least restrictive setting possible. The Peer Counselor supports clients by utilizing their own lived experience with recovery to engage individuals in services and assist them in navigating behavioral health, criminal justice, and community systems. Services may be provided in the community, jail settings, other healthcare agencies, in a client's home, or at a Catholic Charities clinic location depending on need.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate clients’ needs and collaborate with clients to develop a plan for their own care & recovery
• Assist clients with identifying and accessing medical, dental, and behavioral health treatment as appropriate to each client’s needs and goals
• Assist clients with obtaining and maintaining housing
• Support clients to develop independent living skills such as budgeting, creating and sticking to a routine, paying bills, accessing food banks or grocery shopping, utilizing a calendar to make and track appointments, etc.
• Attend scheduled court appearances with clients
• Provide transportation to clients for appointments with other service providers
• Share personal experiences with recovery and service navigation as appropriate to build trust with clients, using active listening skills and compassion to support clients in their recovery journey
• Respond in the community to law enforcement requests for diversion support and immediately engage the individual to offer resources and support
• Assess the client for safety and de-escalate clients who are experiencing a crisis
• Work with community partners to help coordinate services to meet clients’ needs
• Facilitate communication between clients and service providers and advocate on clients’ behalf as appropriate
• Review jail roster regularly for diversion referrals and active Trueblood Class Members
• Maintain detailed, accurate records of services provided, client interactions, and diversion agreement compliance
• Prepare and provide monthly progress reports for attorneys and prosecutors
• Attend regular supervision meetings, team staffing’s, trainings, community events, and other meetings as instructed
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Must be a self-identified consumer of mental health or substance use disorder treatment services in stable recovery for at least one year
• Possess and utilize effective verbal and written communication skills
• Self-motivated with excellent time management skills
• Ability to represent the agency in a professional manner within the community
• Certified Peer Support Specialist or Certified Peer Support Specialist Trainee credential
• Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor credential
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and required minimum liability insurance by WA State
• Must be deemed insurable as determined by Catholic Charities’ liability insurance provider
• Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required

Nice-to-haves

• Two years of experience providing peer services preferred
• Bilingual/biliterate in English & Spanish preferred

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays
• 12 days of vacation
• 12 days of sick leave per year
• Health insurance including medical & prescription coverage
• Optional dental and vision insurance plans
• Majority of health insurance premiums paid by Catholic Charities
• Retirement 403(b) Plan: employee contributions commence upon employment; Catholic Charities contributes 2% of monthly income and matches up to 4% of employee contributions following 6 months of employment
• Basic Life Insurance paid 100% by Catholic Charities
• Flexible Spending Account eligibility following 6 months of employment
• Education Assistance Program reimbursing up to $5,250 per year for approved continuing education after 6 months of employment
• Additional voluntary insurances including supplemental life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), critical illness, long term disability, accident, and ID theft
• Employee Assistance Program includes 3 counseling sessions per year, legal consultations, financial coaching, and other wellbeing tools
• Annual longevity awards begin at 5 years of employment

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