Project specialist (Peer support)

Grant summary

The goal of the New Hope Project is to address the opioid epidemic in the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) community in the Interior region of Alaska. New Hope’s Medicated Assisted Treatment (MAT) Day Treatment Center will provide the hope and impetus necessary for opioid disorder users to achieve a life free of opioid abuse and one of overall wellbeing. The New Hope Project’s overarching goal is to expand and enhance access to medications and treatment for Opioid use Disorder (OUD) in racial and gender minorities (AI/AN) and AI/AN who identify as LGBTQ+.

Position summary

This position delivers recovery support services as a Peer Specialist who can relate to consumer needs identified during Day Treatment transition planning.

• Job duties
• Conducts weekly culturally appropriate outreach to community organizations and leaders to raise awareness of the availability of Recovery Support Services provided by the Behavioral Health Community Coalition and FNA Behavioral Health Services, including the new Healthy Transitions Project.
• Extracts data from collected documentation to report reduction in illicit opioid use, reduction in traumatic stress systems, decreased risk of drug-related overdoes, and a reduction in disparities.
• Distributes naloxone kits and fentanyl test strips.
• Assists consumers to achieve recovery through referral to system of care recovery supports identified during treatment transition planning.
• Provides one-on-one support and encouragement during recovery.
• Monitors services for cultural competence.
• Conducts follow-up for up to three (3) months.
• Facilitates Talking Circle during recovery support.
• Identifies any emergency needs and transports to emergency services.
• Develops referral activities to meet project goals over the life of the project.
• Shares lived experience with consumers and families.
• Shares experience with navigating mental health system.
• Ensures adherence to data collection requirements and enters accurate and timely data into the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Attends mandatory position training that provides training in risk factors as designated by Project Manager and/or Clinical Supervisor.