Peer Recovery Specialist - Supporting Pregnant & Parenting Somali Mothers

Four Positions Available – one full-time, three part-time

Organization Summary: GMCC has a 118-year history collaborating with communities to make a positive impact throughout Minnesota. Our initiatives and programs have included advocacy and education around equity and poverty; volunteerism and service learning; mentoring and youth development; support services for seniors; and food security. Today, GMCC is an entrepreneurial organization that partners with the communities most impacted by a challenge or opportunity to co-design and lead a response. We work in the areas of youth, food, and well-being.

Project Summary: GMCC’s recovery program supports prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery associated with substance use disorder (SUD). Our project launched to specifically address SUD in Minnesota’s Somali community through community-based, culturally specific, and trauma-informed recovery services and has since expanded to include individuals from other communities. The PRS fills emotional, social, and practical needs that aren’t addressed by physicians, psychologists, addiction counselors and other professionals. The Minnesota Certification Board describes a Peer Recovery Specialist as someone who helps ”a person who becomes ready and willing to seek treatment (if needed) and enter recovery by helping the person explore their options for recovery or treatment. Peer Recovery Specialists ask questions, offer insight, and help service recipients as they become whole, resourceful, and capable of choosing what is best for them.”

ONE FULL TIME POSITION

• Type: non-exempt, hourly, full-time (W2), approx. 40 hours per week

• Hours: varies

• Reports to: GMCC Senior Program Manager

• Direct Reports: None

• Start Date: May 1st, 2024

• Application deadline: Application deadline: April 20th, 2024

• Pay: $26/hour – PRS’s must log and track their hours

• Time Period: 5/1/24 – 9/30/25 with an opportunity for an extension

THREE PART TIME POSITIONS

• Type: non-exempt, hourly, part-time (W2), approx. 15 hours per week

• Hours: varies

• Reports to: GMCC Senior Program Manager

• Direct Reports: None

• Start Date: May 1st, 2024

• Application deadline: April 20th, 2024

• Pay: $30/hour – PRS’s must log and track their hours

• Time Period: 5/1/24 – 9/30/25 with an opportunity for an extension

Role Overview: The Peer Recovery Specialist draws upon their personal growth experience to carry the message of hope and recovery to individuals who have been impacted by substance use disorder. By offering outreach, encouragement and support, the Peer Recovery Specialist uses their training to cultivate and secure connections with individuals while teaching personal responsibility and serving as a mentor and role model through a culturally and religiously specific lens. This particular role will work with pregnant and parenting Somali mothers.

Responsibilities: 

Training (paid)

• Complete a certified Peer Recovery Specialist Training, any fees which will be paid for by GMCC.
• Complete Seeking Safety training, a one-day evidence-based, present-focused counseling model to help people attain safety from trauma and/or substance abuse, the fees which will be paid for by GMCC.
• Complete other training as identified, the fees which will be paid by GMCC

Guide Design and Delivery of program activities

• Document best practices and provide advice and counsel to GMCC staff and leadership on program design, approach, and delivery
• Meet (estimated weekly) with GMCC staff to provide and receive program updates

• Participate in regular planning meetings with other Peer Recovery Specialists.

• Participate in a co-design session led by a Human Centered Design expert to identify challenges and develop solutions, including tapping networks for information.
• Support with evaluation including
  • Collecting surveys from participants
  • Completing interviews with participants, staff, and partners
  • Completing observation rubrics for evaluation purposes

Recruitment and outreach

• Identify individuals who are Pregnant & Parenting Somali mothers and who would benefit most from community-based long-term recovery support; recruit them to participate in the program.
• Form relationships with businesses, organizations, and individuals working in the recovery space to establish client pipeline and referral.
• Form relationships with other individuals and organizations whose work could benefit the target population
• Support outreach and marketing efforts to combat cultural and public stigma associated with addiction and recovery.

Peer Recovery Support

• Maintain confidential documentation of participant and client engagement and progress
• Support people in recovery with 1:1 Peer Recovery support, including:
• • Providing structure, accountability, and connection
  • Being available for conversations
  • Supporting goal setting
  • Follow the principles of ask, accept, and join
  • Participate in and co-lead a weekly recovery meeting with program participants.
  • Co-lead community projects and events with participants including fellowship, process meetings (AA and NA meetings outside of GMCC in addition to the meetings that are part of the project), volunteer events, and community gatherings.
  • Provide referrals as needed to support other needs of program participants.
  • Work in partnership with other SMEs and project managers to support and communicate with participant families as needed.
  
  

Qualifications

• Must have one or more years of continuous recovery
• Must be able to speak credibly to clients from current and/or past personal experience with sober living
• Must have personal lived experience with substance use disorder
• Must have familiarity with and connection in Somali and Muslim communities
• Must be committed to working through the completion of the project for the identified number of hours
• Must be able to speak credibly to clients from current and/or past personal experience with pregnancy and/or parenting
• Must have or be willing to successfully complete a DHS-approved Certified Peer Specialist training and certification exam (GMCC will cover training/certification cost associated with obtaining PRS certification)
• Must have a valid Driver’s License, access to reliable transportation, and current insurance.
  

Outreach Targets and Measurements of Success

• Completion of training and certification
• Number of pregnant and parenting Somali mothers struggling with addiction and their family members who are engaged through outreach
• Number of pregnant and parenting Somali mothers struggling with addiction who are support as regular clients
• Attendance rate at meetings
• Ongoing (continued) participation in the project

GMCC defines Recovery as “maintenance of abstinence from alcohol and/or other drug use by any means.” GMCC expects all Peer Recovery Specialists to maintain their recovery as they support others at various stages of recovery.

How to Apply: Fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/LNf8eEPhKZba5Bee9