DescriptionSummary:
The Community Navigator Forensic Peer’s role on the Polaris Transition Team (PTT) is to provide peer support to individuals assigned to Aid-and-Assist before discharging from the Oregon State Hospital and throughout the process of community restoration and post-adjudication. They will assist the individual in navigating the judicial and behavioral health systems, housing, and connect them with community resources upon transitioning back into the community for no less than six months. The Community Navigator Forensic Peer will partner with program participants with co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges to overcome barriers in building supportive relationships and assist with integration back into the community.
The Community Navigator Forensic Peer will report to the Polaris Program Manager and be a member of the Polaris Transition Team. The PTT provides wraparound services to individuals who have been referred to New Narrative by the Washington County Forensic Mental Health Team and Oregon State Hospital, with the aim of assisting the referred individuals in accessing transitional housing, connecting to community based mental health or substance use treatment services, and resource gathering (food boxes, medical needs, etc.) to promote overall stabilization while navigating the legal system. The PTT will work with individuals referred by community partners who may be experiencing co-occurring disorders, and support individuals as they transition into becoming their own best advocate. The aim of the Community Navigator roles on the PTT are to reduce rates of recidivism and to work towards decriminalization of mental health and substance use challenges.
Accountabilities: (Responsibilities of the job)
Engagement and Collaboration
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Provide peer support to caseload of 15 participants, which includes but is not limited to: skills training, advocacy, case management, and community navigation
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Provide support to participants in a variety of settings including, but not limited to: the Oregon State Hospital, Washington County Jail, motels, Community Mental Health clinics, the outdoors, and shared community spaces
Peer Support
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Ability to work with individuals who have a complex series of needs, which may include, but are not limited to: houselessness, substance use, severe and persistent mental health challenges, institutional trauma
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Exemplify recovery principles in order to show by example that recovery is possible and attainable for everyone. The Community Navigator Peer shares their own recovery story, as appropriate, and walks the road of recovery alongside the service recipient
Crisis Prevention/De-escalation/Harm Reduction
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Use Critical Time Intervention approach (CIT) to decrease use of crisis services, Hawthorn Walk-in Center, EMS, police, hospitalization, etc.
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Support harm reduction approach, linkage to resources including, but not limited to: clean needle exchange, NARCAN, MAT, SUD services, education around harm reduction, etc.
Supportive Skills Training
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Provide individual skills training opportunities including but not limited to: coping, regulation, safety, interpersonal, community integration, community navigation, etc.
Documentation
Core Competencies: (Listing of skills, abilities, characteristics and knowledge)
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Feedback orientated: Demonstrates, engages and promotes regular forms of feedback from program participants, New Narrative staff, and colleagues
Supervision Received:
Other General Expectations:
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Complete all required contractual training within 30 days of hire, including but not limited to: CTI, Forensic Peer Competencies, HMIS training
Qualifications:
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Self-identifies as a current or former recipient of mental health services, preferably familiar with criminal justice, restrictive environments (inpatient, outpatient, etc.), and/or altered states
