Volunteers of America Chesapeake and Carolinas

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Peer Recovery Intern (Personal Services)



AGENCY OVERVIEW

Since 1896, Volunteers of America has been answering God's call to transform lives by reaching and uplifting America's most vulnerable. We seek to serve the needs of the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—by bringing together the human service agency and the church.  Our Ministry of Service, known as a church without walls, we are feeding hungry families, sheltering the homeless, and providing spiritual support for over one million people around the country. We lead with faith and service, shaping a better future for the neighbor in need, their family, and their community. This is an unpaid internship for 20 hours per week.  

SCOPE OF WORK:  The Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) provides support, guidance, and advocacy to individuals and families on the recovery continuum with addiction, mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and family/allies of behavioral health. Utilizing their lived experience, they offer empathy, understanding, and practical assistance to aid individuals in their recovery journey. This position will afford recovery support needs and refer individuals/families to the appropriate community resources that are beyond the scope of these services.   They will work closely with the Housing and Homeless Services case management staff in the assessment of residents' needs and the development, implementation, and monitoring of the resident's individualized recovery plan. They are responsible for providing crisis intervention.  All delegated actions this employee takes will be carried out per VOAC policies, procedures, and guidelines.  In addition, they must follow the MABPCB Code of Conduct & Principles and Guidelines for Certified Peer Recovery Specialists.  

POSITION OBJECTIVE: The position will assist the peer recovery team in providing support and services to residents interested in and/or participating in the program.  

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: This position offers learning opportunities for students majoring in social service related disciplines. The interns will receive direct supervision from the site Peer Recovery Specialist.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

Under the direct supervision site peer recovery specialist, the PRS interns will support with the following:  

  • Peer Support - Offer one-on-one or group peer support to individuals in recovery, sharing personal experiences and insights to inspire hope and promote resilience.  
  • Advocacy - Advocate for individuals in recovery within healthcare systems, social service agencies, and other community organizations to ensure access to appropriate services and resources.  
  • Resource Referral - Connect individuals with community resources such as housing, employment assistance, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment programs.  
  • Crisis Intervention - Provide immediate support during crises, offering empathy, encouragement, and guidance to help individuals navigate challenges without relapsing.  
  • Education and Training - Conduct educational workshops and training sessions for individuals in recovery, their families, and community members to increase awareness and understanding of addiction, recovery, and available resources.  
  • Documentation and Reporting - Maintain accurate records of interactions with individuals, documenting progress, challenges, and goals per organizational policies and procedures.  
  • Self-Care and Professional Development - Engage in regular supervision, participate in peer support networks, and pursue ongoing training and education to enhance personal and professional growth. 

Note: All Internships are designed with the intern in mind. Interns are required to have a learning plan with their supervisors that aligns to the educational requirements from the educational institution and adheres to learning objectives.

Eligibility for Internship:

  • Must be enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate college or university.
  • Must be able to commit to a full semester, at least 20 hours per week (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
  • Provide a resume and 300 word cover letter, indicating internship choice and reason to be accepted. 
  • Meeting the application submission deadline and including all required information.
  • Must have acceptable Criminal Background check, and Negative Drug Screening
  • Exceptions may be made for internships required for the attainment of a professional certification under the guidance of a recognized professional certification board.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

  • Ability to appropriately handle confidential information;
  • Ability to identify and understand environmental stressors;
  • Ability to set appropriate limits and boundaries with residents;
  • Awareness of social, economic, cultural, and environmental factors in the resolution of family and personal problems;
  • Excellent written and verbal communication for all day-to-day interactions;
  • Proficient computer skills with Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook);
  • The ability to problem-solve and identify potential process improvements;
  • Comfortable working in an uncertain, fast-paced, and constantly evolving environment.  

PREFERRED:

  • Experience working in a non-profit organization with HUD housing knowledge is a plus, but not necessarily required.
  • Knowledge and understanding of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), Harm Reduction, Group/Individual Therapy, Trauma Informed Care, Client-Centered Care, and strengthening families are a plus but not necessarily required.  

EDUCATION:

  • Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.  
  • One year of experience providing peer recovery support services.
  • The candidate must self-identity as a person in long-term recovery from the effects of a behavioral health disorder  (i.e. mental health and/or substance use disorder) for two years or more.  

Ability to commit part-time hours of 20 hours/week, Monday-Friday 9am – 5pm. 

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