Certified Peer Specialist - Abundant Life

LOCATION: Dublin, GA (in person); Abundant Life Program

Job Description:

• This person will be responsible for providing recovery support services, as outlined in the service definition, to people that self-identify as being in or seeking recovery from substance use disorders. This person will uphold the culture, principles, and values of recovery in all aspects of services provided to individuals, family members, friends, and allies. This person will provide connections to local recovery communities within the ARSC, as well as, treatment and recovery support services outside of the ARSC in the community.

Duties:

• Assist Program Manager in the implementation of services, meetings, workshops, community trainings, etc.
• Keep and maintain accurate and comprehensive records in accordance with guidance provided by team leadership. Including ASO submissions.
• Provide peer support to persons who have experienced challenges with substance use or misuse in ARSC.
• Provide information and facilitate development of relationships with individuals, support/mutual aid groups, and service providers when appropriate.
• When applicable, provide support to families and allies of people that self-identify as being in recovery or who have challenges with substance use.
• Provide information and education about the recovery process.
• Reports to work as scheduled. Follows agency procedure for reporting absence.
• Exemplify CARES values and uplifts a spirit of recovery with peers, team members, and community members.

Peers must also be able to manage boundaries in relationships with peers, family members, and staff. Be willing to seek supervision from direct supervisor when in doubt. And make adjustments in accordance with guidance provided by ream leadership.

Requirements:

• Already hold certification as a Certified Peer Specialist (Parent, Youth, or Addictive Disease)
  • OR
• Have all three of these:
  1. Qualify for CPS-P, CPS-Y, or CPS-AD Certification (See Below)
  2. have a high school diploma or GED,
  3. and be willing to become certified.

Skills:

• Ability to use lived experience to support families in the program.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships with peers based on mutuality and common connection.
• Ability to use common connection to support families.
• Ability to link to others involved in the team.

In order to earn a CPS-P Certification, you have to meet these requirements:

• Candidates must be the parent or legal guardian of a child living with mental illness, substance use and/or co-occurring diagnosis (the child can have multiple diagnoses); and must
• Be individuals seeking employment as a Certified Peer Specialist-Parent, or who are currently working in that role, and will provide 20-40 hours per week of direct parent peer support;
• Be experienced navigating complex public health or child-serving systems of care;
• Have a high school diploma or GED;
• Provide (1) letter of reference (please include contact information) This cannot be a family member. <-- We can provide this.

In order to earn a CPS-Y Certification, you have to meet these requirements:

• Be 18-26 years of age (provide a copy of a valid Georgia ID); and
• Have a mental health (MH) condition, substance use disorder (SUD), or a co-occurring diagnosis; and a strong desire to identify themselves as a person living with a mental illness or substance use diagnosis; and
• Be able/willing to actively seek and manage your own appropriate care; and
• Be able to share their own personal story in a safe and appropriate way; and
• Must be well grounded in recovery wellness; and
• One year between diagnosis and application to training; and/or
• If the individual has a substance use condition, there must be one year continuous abstinent from substance use; and
• Have a high school diploma or GED; provide a copy of these documents; and
• Provide (2) letters of reference. This cannot be a family member (please include contact information). <-- We can provide this.

For more information about Certified Peer Specialist certifications, please visit https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/recovery-transformation/cps.