Job Overview
The Mental Health and Addiction Peer Support (MAPS) Program provides peer support to individuals with mental health and/or addiction challenges engaged with the criminal justice system. The purpose of the program is to help people reintegrate or settle in the community while working on their recovery. The Peer Support Specialist works closely with probation, parole and the client to assess and address clients’ needs, explore recovery goals, provide one-to-one support, help navigate government programs and services, and provide culturally appropriate referrals and community connections. The Peer Support Specialist is an individual with lived experience of mental health and/or addiction. Lived experience with the criminal justice system is considered an asset.
Duties
- Connect clients with emergency supports and stabilization including accessing housing, crisis and suicide prevention supports.
- Facilitate clients’ access to services and supports critical to promoting a successful transition to community.
- Develop individualized harm reduction plans for each Client.
- Assist clients navigating access to government programs and systems (e.g. Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, child welfare, community housing).
- Make referrals to local and culturally appropriate agencies, programs and services to meet immediate discharge needs (e.g. housing, access to elders, mental health supports etc.)
- Attend with or accompany clients to probation, court (if permitted) and counselling appointments, in a bridging capacity.
- Provide interpreter services, if needed, and in a limited capacity.
- Work with Probation and Parole Officer to assess and address the Client’s needs immediately following referral.
- Identify and provide referrals to local and culturally appropriate programs and resources to support continuity of care and community reintegration.
- Report any change of address or telephone number to the Case manager if the Client moves or plans to move.
- Provide updates with respect to referrals/service provision to the case Manager upon request.
- Provide Reports on supports provided to clients n community supervision orders to Case Manager.
- Ensure Client privacy by only sharing information for which informed consent has been obtained.
Qualifications:
- Lived experience within the mental health and/or addictions.
- Lived experience with the criminal justice system is considered an asset.
- Peer Support training OR a diploma, degree or Canadian equivalent in health or a related discipline, and/or a minimum of two years’ experience working in the social services is preferred.
- Familiar with the goals and objectives of NISA.
- Have working knowledge of community resources, especially mental health and/or addiction service agencies and consumer/survivor organizations.
- Completion of Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) and other recovery-based training is preferred.
- Completion of Standard First Aid with CPR, WHMIS, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI), Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Workplace Accessibility and Prevention of Violence and Harassment in the Workplace Training is preferred.
- Computer experience, including an ability to use Word, Excel, and email/internet technologies.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision, and as part of a team.
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills to effectively support individuals and service providers.
- Conflict resolution and advocacy skills with individuals and staff.
- Demonstrated ability to model adaptive behavior.
- Ability to engage in interprofessional and interagency diplomacy, including asserting professional boundaries in a respectful manner when required.
- Knowledge of Social Determinants of Health and Trauma Informed Care.
- Ability to work shifts (days/early evenings/weekends).
- Criminal Reference Check required.
- Written and verbal proficiency in both official languages is considered an asset.
Join our team as a Peer Support Specialist where your contributions will be valued, and your professional growth will be supported!
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent
Pay: From $21.68 per hour
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 2025-08-22
Expected start date: 2025-09-02