Police Peer or Behavioral Health Responder - Neosho PD

Ozark Center; Joplin (MO); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ozark Center is seeking a Community-Focused Peer Support Specialist to connect neighbors with mental health and social resources. You will leverage lived experience to engage with community members, provide crisis support, and collaborate with law enforcement and social workers to stabilize situations and link individuals to services.

Responsibilities include outreach, crisis intervention, and coordinating with local organizations to reduce stigma and foster trust.

Responsibilities

• Community Outreach and Engagement: actively engage with community members to identify those in need of peer support services.
• Crisis Intervention: respond promptly when law enforcement identifies individuals requiring peer support; provide emotional support, active listening, and practical assistance during crises.
• Resource Connection: connect individuals to mental health services, substance use treatment, housing, domestic violence, housing, and other community resources.
• Collaboration with Social Work Team: work closely with other members of the Police Social Work team; coordinate services to ensure comprehensive support.

Job description

Job Description Summary The Community-Focused Peer Support Specialist plays a crucial role in bridging community members with necessary support services. This position emphasizes community engagement, crisis intervention, and collaboration with law enforcement. Key aspects of this role include:

• Lived Experience: Peer support specialists bring their own lived experience of overcoming mental health challenges or substance use. This unique perspective fosters empathy and understanding.
• Holistic Approach: Peer support services focus on the whole person, considering social, emotional, and practical needs.
• Reducing Stigma: By sharing their stories, peer specialists help reduce stigma around mental health and substance use.
• Building Trust: Community members often feel more comfortable confiding in peers, leading to stronger relationships and better outcomes.
• Trauma Informed: Services are delivered within trauma-informed principles

Responsibilities

• Community Outreach and Engagement:
  • Actively engage with community members to identify those in need of peer support services.
  • Build relationships with local organizations, community leaders, and residents.
• Crisis Intervention:
  • Respond promptly when law enforcement identifies individuals requiring peer support.
  • Provide emotional support, active listening, and practical assistance during crises.
  • Help de-escalate situations and prevent further legal entanglement.
• Resource Connection:
  • Connect individuals to mental health services, substance use treatment, housing, domestic violence, housing, and other community resources.
  • Collaborate with social workers, counselors, and other professionals.
• Collaboration with Social Work Team:
  • Work closely with other members of the Police Social Work team.
  • Consult and coordinate services to ensure comprehensive support for community members
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements

• Typical physical demands include prolonged sitting, frequent standing, bending, and stooping.
• Requires normal range of hearing and manual dexterity sufficient to operate keyboard, telephone, photocopier, calculator, and other office equipment as needed.
• Requires ability to work under stressful conditions and to work irregular hours.
• TB test upon hire.