Re-Entry Certified Family Partner

Under the direction of the Program Manager of Special Projects and with federal, state, and local guidelines performs routine human services support work. Work involves providing information to individuals currently or recently incarcerated or involved in the criminal justice system.

Contributes as a member of the Re-entry Project in a peer support capacity to facilitate recovery and enhance wellness. Serves as a role model for recovery, for staff and consumers. Supports people using services to develop self-help skills.

Provides practical support for people using services to access and utilize community support networks, such as transportation support, accompaniment, etc. Educates people about the range of available services in and beyond the agency. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

This is a grant‑funded position through the Department of Justice (DOJ) for three (3) years with an anticipated end date of August 31, 2026.

This position works within the Denton County Jail assisting incarcerated individuals with mental health issues and substance use issues or individuals dual‑diagnosed.

Education, Training and Experience

• High School diploma or High School equivalency certificate.
• Minimum of one‑year mental health services experience.
• History of incarceration and/or significant involvement with the criminal justice system.
• Minimum of one‑year mental health and/or substance use services experience.

Registration, Certification, Licensure or Other Qualifications

• Must have and maintain a background and criminal history free from any disqualifying offenses as outlined by the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) and the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and automobile insurance.
• Individuals with an out‑of‑state driver's license must obtain a Texas license within thirty (30) days.
• Successful completion of all position‑specific training within thirty (30) days of employment is required.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Self‑identify as an individual who has direct personal experience living in recovery from mental health challenges or substance use.
• Been previously incarcerated and/or have significant involvement with the criminal justice system.
• Act as an advocate for individuals with active mental illnesses who are being released from incarceration, with an understanding that these individuals may not be capable of participating in their own defense due to their illnesses.
• Have significant experience working on your own recovery and an ability to manage your own wellness.
• Have a desire to use your experiences to help others with their recovery.
• Be willing to publicly identify as a person living in recovery for the purpose of educating, role‑modeling, and providing hope to others about the reality of recovery.
• Be able to educate on legal processes and increase mental health functioning to help restore competency so that legal proceedings and knowledge of social services can resume.
• Have a primary diagnosis of a mental health condition or dual diagnosis, rather than just a substance abuse diagnosis, or have experienced emotional distress which significantly disrupted one's life.
• Ability to display regular and reliable attendance.
• Understanding and practice of Trauma‑Informed Care principles.

Essential Duties

• Support the process of Person‑Centered Planning with individuals current or recently involved with the criminal justice system.
• Using your story as the cornerstone skill, educate people about the reality of recovery, support people to envision the possibility of recovery or a better future, support people to explore recovery questions and uncertainties.
• Using your story and other skills, teach people strategies for overcoming negative self‑talk and fear.
• Using your story, support people to choose both short‑term and long‑term goals of value in the community, including housing, employment, relationships, etc.; support people to articulate their goals and aspirations in the development of their service plans, assist people to explore the skills and supports needed to achieve their valued goals, support people to articulate their needs in the goal‑making process, support people in learning skills of self‑advocacy and self‑determination, teach people skills and strategies to overcome hopelessness, offer hope to others that they can take a lead role in their lives, and assist people in articulating personal goals for recovery.
• Support wellness planning for individuals currently or recently involved with the justice system.
• Advocate for individuals currently in Denton County Jail to receive appropriate mental health treatment while incarcerated or when appropriate as an alternative to incarceration.
• Share and support use of recovery tools including established best practices and individually developed tools and strategies.
• Provide education on dimensions of wellness (including physical, emotional, financial, spiritual) and ways to maintain personal wellness and recovery.
• Provide education to individuals currently in Denton County Jail regarding their current charges and justice system processes.
• Educate on legal processes as they relate to the individual's charge.
• Coordinate aftercare plans with QMHPs and jail staff.
• Educate individuals on the purpose of aftercare and the process.
• When necessary, be present at aftercare to support the individual.
• If the individual remains in custody post discharge from a psychiatric hospitalization, assist in preparing the individual for transition back into the general population.
• Support community inclusion for individuals currently or recently involved with the justice system.
• Facilitate 1:1 peer support with community members and individuals.
• Visit community resources with people using services to assist them in becoming familiar with potential opportunities.
• Educate about self‑help and community peer resources.
• Support people’s access to new resources.
• Support people’s desires to practice new skills in the community.
• Serve all individuals without regard to background or history, placing the individual's needs above all other considerations. Model and practice recovery principles in all activities including hope, empowerment, responsibility, mutuality, and self‑determination.
• Serve as a positive role model demonstrating professional and caring attitudes and behaviors toward co‑workers, individuals, and guests. Courteously provide assistance in a concise, informative manner, keeping a positive, courteous tone and appropriate non‑verbal communication.
• Maintain compliance with all state and agency training requirements, including Service Coordination and Medicaid Reimbursement and Billing Protocol. Follow the agency and departmental policies and procedures in a responsible manner consistent with the Center’s mission.
• Be present and on duty with no excessive time off. All use of vacation, compensatory, personal leave time is authorized in advance. Be aware of and demonstrate safe working habits. Comply with all facility safety standards set in place with the intention of protecting employees and individuals served.
• Attend all team meetings as assigned.
• Communicate with supervisor if unable to attend a team meeting and meet with supervisor of designated staff within one week to go over agenda.
• Ensure timesheet is kept up to date and accurately reflects time worked.
• Approve timesheet by deadline provided.

Benefits

• Full‑time employees are eligible for full medical, dental and vision benefits; part‑time employees are eligible for full medical and dental benefits. Incentives are available if employee chooses to participate in the Center’s Wellness Program.
• HMO and PPO plans available through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
• Internal & External Employee Assistance Programs.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) accrual starts at date of hire.
  • Full‑time employees earn up to 120 hours of PTO during first year of employment.
  • Part‑time employees earn up to 60 hours of PTO during first year of employment.
  • PTO increases with tenure level.
  • The Center gives 5 personal days to full‑time employees and 1 personal day to part‑time employees to use at their discretion.
• Full‑time employees are enrolled into 401(a) retirement plan at 90 days of service.
  • The Center contributes 3% of earnings at 90 days of service.
  • The Center contributes 5% of earnings at 2 years of service.
  • Additional 403(b) and 457 retirement plans available.
  • Full‑time employees have access to Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
    • Medical FSA
    • Dependent FSA
  • The Center offers and covers 100% of the following for full‑time employees:
    • Short Term and Long Term Disability
    • Basic Life & Accidental Death Coverage
    • Basic Life Spouse Coverage
  • The Center offers and covers 100% of the following for part‑time employees:
    • Short‑Term Disability

Additional Information

Position Title: Jail Peer Support Specialist – Grant Funded: Yes
Department: Clinical Services, PAL: DOJ Grant
Reports to: Program Manager of Special Projects
FTE Status: FT – Work Model: In‑Person
Schedule: Monday‑Friday, 8‑5 pm – Non‑Exempt
Work Model: In‑Person
Monday through Friday: 8 am‑5 pm
Pay Range: $15 /hr.