Peer Mentor - MAPS

The Mentoring and Peer Support (MAPS) program provides mentoring and support to individuals who have an active criminal care and are struggling with one or several of the following: mental illness, a substance use disorder, and/or experience in the armed forces.   The goal of the programs is to support client recovery and assist with navigating the criminal justice system. Goals of the program include helping clients to maintain recovery, comply with court requirements and maintain engagement in treatment. Peer Mentors work with client both in the jail and in the community. Peer Mentors are proactive in their outreach to clients, are able to work independently and have excellent communication skills. 

MAPS Peer Mentors work with clients individually and in group settings with a focus on peer counseling and support. Mentors are expected to be able to work independently while also regularly communicating with their supervisor and accounting for their time. Mentors must document on all patient encounters in a timely manner and collect data for reporting purposes as directed. Mentors work as a team and communicate with and support other mentors as needed. 

• Provide regular support to mentees.
• Report to and collaborate with the Mentoring And Peer Support (MAPS) program’s Program Coordinator  and the Deputy Director of Jail Health Reentry Services.
• Assist mentees with resource linkage and navigating community resources (e.g., transportation, mobility, housing, decision-making, assistive technology, language, government programs, cultural adjustment, immigration services, food assistance, legal assistance, women’s services, medical assistance, mental health services, vocational services, volunteerism, and education programs, and any other services that may support the client on overcoming external barriers to well-being and self-sufficiency).
• Conduct outreach to residential, community and hospital settings to connect with mentees.
• Provides one on one peer mentoring.
• Routinely communicate and collaborate with the client's treatment team (case manager, psychiatrist, etc).
• Organize and facilitate support groups in the jail(s), as requested.

• Firsthand understanding of and experience with one of the following: being a member of the armed forces and/or suffering from a mental illness, substance use disorder or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. 
• Knowledge of behavioral health issues such as (but not limited to) depression, substance abuse, psychosis or anxiety, and a willingness to share that experience. 
• Completion of a mental health certificate program or equivalent education, preferred.
• Familiarity with various supportive counseling strategies and wellness and recovery principles in working with clients with mental health, substance abuse, or co-occurring conditions, preferred.
• At least 3-5 years of ‘lived experience’ with the community behavioral health system and/or the Department of Veterans Affairs, preferably in San Francisco.
• Strong interpersonal and active listening skills.
• Sensitivity to and experience working with the ethnically, culturally, socially, and sexually diverse individuals, communities, agencies, and organizations and persons who have experienced homelessness, incarceration, mental illness and/or substance abuse.
• Ability to work independently within a multidisciplinary team and interact effectively with the medical and criminal justice system as well as community providers in order to facilitate comprehensive mental health care delivery.
• Ability to respond quickly and use good judgment in unusual and emergency situations.
• Willingness to work with clients in the community.