Forensic Peer Mentor - Muscogee YDC - Midland, GA (CCR)

Juvenile Justice, Department of • Midland, TX

19h • Onsite

About The Position

The Forensic Peer Mentor (FPM) mentors justice-involved youth and provides peer support, care coordination, and connections to services to promote wellness, resiliency, recovery, and successful reentry into the community after release from secure confinement. The role uses lived experience with the criminal justice system and behavioral health and/or substance use services to engage youth, support families, build trust and safety, encourage self-advocacy, and help reduce further involvement in the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

The FPM collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to develop and maintain supportive community resources and ensure service connectivity. The role works with youth before release, participates in transition and release planning, and supports youth and families during the return to the community. Follow-up work may continue for up to one year after release. Mentors meet at least weekly with youth on their peer list, which may not exceed 20 individuals.

The position requires specified peer specialist and forensic peer mentor training within six months of starting, pre-service training through the Department of Juvenile Justice, and 12 hours of continuing training each year. The selected applicant is subject to reference and criminal background checks, where applicable.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in rehabilitation counseling, social work, or a closely related behavioral or social science field from an accredited college or university, plus one year of professional experience in social work, counseling, or equivalent areas; or one year of experience at the lower-level Rehabilitation Counselor 1 (SSP060) or an equivalent position.
• Lived experience involving personal involvement with the criminal justice system and receipt of behavioral health and/or substance abuse treatment services.
• Ability to complete required training within six months after the start date: 40 hours of Certified Peer Specialist Training—MH or CARES, CPS-Y training, and 40 hours of Forensic Peer Mentor training; Certified Peer Specialist Youth training covering mental health and substance use; and DJJ pre-service training.
• Ability to complete 12 hours of continued training every year.
• A valid Georgia driver's license.
• Ability to maintain confidential communications and protect the confidentiality of records.
• Ability to work with integrity and ethically, maintain appropriate boundaries with returning citizens, and build collaborative working relationships with correctional facility staff.
• Ability to work independently.

Nice To Haves

• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Organizational skills.
• Proficiency with electronics, including a cell phone or smartphone, computer, and databases, with working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Specialized certification may be required for some positions.

Responsibilities

• Provide mentoring, peer support, service linkage, and care coordination to juveniles with behavioral health needs, including substance use disorders, mental illness, trauma histories, and extensive juvenile justice involvement.
• Use lived experience to engage youth before release and participate in transition and release planning and reentry efforts.
• Connect youth with treatment, medical care, and other community services responsive to their needs, and provide follow-up.
• Engage family members in preparing for the youth's return to the community and work with youth and family through the transition.
• Meet at least weekly with youth on the peer list; caseload size must not exceed 20 individuals.
• Provide individual supportive peer counseling as needed using appropriate evidence-based practices, such as motivational interviewing.
• Educate returning youth about their rights and promote hope among returning citizens.
• Complete required documentation, including progress notes and significant data, in accordance with documentation policies.
• May provide education and information to promote public interest and advocacy for services for returning youth with behavioral health needs.
• May assist with program evaluation and research activities.
• Attend relevant job-related seminars, meetings, conferences, trainings, and conference calls when offered.
• Complete approved continuing education to maintain certification, including the required 12 CEUs each calendar year.
• Complete other related duties as required by GMHCN supervisory staff.
• Complete required pre-service, peer specialist, youth, and forensic peer mentor training within six months after the start date, and complete 12 hours of continued training each year.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Retirement and savings plan options
• Paid holidays
• Vacation leave
• Sick leave
• Eligible employer for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Total Rewards programs intended to improve work environment, job satisfaction, and work/life balance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level