Peer specialist

Grant summary

The goal of the New Beginnings Recovery Home Project is to provide comprehensive, coordinated, and evidence-based treatment for those with substance abuse and co-occurring mental health conditions, who are experiencing homelessness resulting in reduce substance abuse and improve housing stability.

Position summary

Grounded in the Athabascan Recovery Model, the Peer Specialist provides mentorship, peer counseling, and recovery navigation services for project participants and their families under the New Beginnings Recovery Home grant. As an integral member of a collaborative treatment team, this position supports individuals from intake through sustained recovery by integrating traditional values—including love for children, family stability, self-sufficiency, and respect for elders—to ensure culturally resonant behavioral health care. By leveraging lived experience and a relational approach that honors Alaska Native and Native American healing practices, the Peer Specialist serves as a vital liaison between participants, families, and clinical staff to develop coping skills, promote wellness, and connect the community with essential services.

• Job duties
• Provides recovery support to consumers in Behavioral Health Services treatment centers while consumers are in treatment, including facilitating Talking Circles using evidence-based family training in traditional ways aligning with the treatment schedule.
• Provides recovery support to consumers following treatment completion or exit from Recovery Home for six (6) months via referral and follow-up to Behavioral Health Community Coalition (BHCC) system of care.
• Works in collaboration with treatment counselors to develop Transition Plan one week prior to treatment completion.
• Works in collaboration with the Clinical Supervisor to develop Recovery Support services on transition from Recovery Home.
• Works as a collaborative team member to ensure all apartment cleanouts, random drug testing, and other collaborative efforts as assigned.
• Shares lived experience with consumers and families.
• Shares experience with navigating mental health system.
• Shares experience with homelessness.
• Facilitates Life Skills groups and/or independently with consumers on a recurring basis,Provides trauma-informed care and care navigation to culturally specific services.
• Supports consumers during their treatment experience providing positive feedback and hope.