Peer Support Specialist/Trainee - Forensic PATH & HARPS

Forensic Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (FPATH)

• Work with individuals identified by the Health Care Authority as eligible for the program
• Assess needs of individuals and provide case management and assistance in connection to resources
• Assist with access to employment and educational services
• Staff are SOAR-trained and assist with Social Security benefits application
• Utilize Client Support Funds for basic needs or to assist with engagement to resources

Forensic Housing & Recovery through Peer Services (FHARPS)

• Uses Permanent Supportive Housing and Housing First model to offer housing assistance to Trueblood Class Members
• Provides case management with emphasis on enhancing access to and retention in permanent supportive housing
• Person-driven housing exploration
• Landlord outreach and engagement
• Employment services
• Activities of daily living services
• Social and interpersonal relationships and leisure time
• Access to short-term housing bridge subsidies
• Links participants to long term providers including mental health and substance use treatment providers

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• As a member of a multi-disciplinary team, assist other FBH team members in the development of treatment objectives and interventions for clients enrolled in mental health services
• Provide peer counseling and support, drawing on common experiences as a peer, to clients, parents, caregivers, and natural/community supports by encouraging them to regain hope in, and control over, their own lives
• Identify services and activities that promote recovery and resilience, assisting clients to identify strengths, recognize successes, and to build hope
• Mentor clients to build self-advocacy skills, navigate health systems, build natural supports, and find meaningful activities that promote a sense of purpose, structure and inclusion in the community
• Promote personal responsibility for recovery as the individual client and/or mental health service provider defines recovery
• Mentor clients to explore networking through existing advisory groups and client-run organizations; if applicable, help clients become involved as an advocate for others
• Provide individual and group services (appropriate to scope) for enrolled clients including facilitating recovery groups
• Mentor clients to build and maintain community living skills and access community resources
• Support clients who are pursuing educational, vocational, or volunteer services
• Engage with assigned clients prior to discharge from inpatient psychiatric care, participate in discharge planning, as directed and assigned, and accompany clients as they transition into the community as appropriate
• Assist clients in need or in times of personal crisis with finding appropriate resources for stabilization in the least restrictive environment appropriate
• Contact clients referred by a clinician that are not attending scheduled appointments in order to identify barriers and problem solve solutions to client attendance
• Work with clients in preparation of graduating from services
• Engage with various community partners as stipulated in contracts and within the program design
• Partner with team members to review cases, gain consultation and co-facilitate groups
• Maintain client records and all other required documentation in a timely and confidential manner, in accordance with agency policies and practices
• Provide after-hours coverage on a schedule rotation, if applicable
• Requires travel to see clients in the community and travel between work sites either via FBH owned Vehicles and/or personal vehicle
• Other duties as assigned

Forensic HARPS Specific Duties

• Create a Care Plan that is specific to acquiring and maintaining housing
• Contact the individual no later than one calendar day, utilizing mobile crisis teams when FHARPS is not available
• Develop a collaborative individualized, strengths-based housing plan inclusive of action steps for housing-related issues
• Assist with completion of required paperwork for tenancy
• Share lived experiences to support the individual in the housing process
• Complete the Enhanced Certified Peer Counselor training offered through the Health Care Authority