Community Peer Connector

A Peer Connector is someone who is living with mental illness, has established stability and is committed to their own recovery. In this role, they will provide non-clinical support, hope, and encouragement to program participants from their lived experience with mental illness.

The Peer connector will perform the following duties including but not limited to the following:

• Connector draw upon their lived experience with mental illness to support a participant assigned to them.
• Connector will be a role model in their commitment to their own wellness and recovery
  • For up to four (4) months the Peer connector will provide support to the Participant in the following ways:
  • Initiate two (2) phone calls per week from a Peer, lasting 15 – 30 minutes
• Schedule and meet with the participant once a week for 1–3 hours within the local community (Santa Clara County).
• The peer connector will meet their participant in an agreed upon location within Santa Clara County for their weekly in person meetings using either a personal or public transportation.
• During the weekly visits, the peer connector will facilitate the participants in setting goals, practice self-care techniques, and become more independent.
• They will build a rapport with their participant and explore lifestyle changes and habits with their participant to reach their wellness goals.
• The peer connector will share resources, promote self-advocacy, and present options for growth according to the participant’s needs.
• They will create a safe and non-judgmental space for their participant and facilitate their growth without fixing, advising, saving or setting them straight.
• Attend the mandatory weekly trainings on a Thursday between 2-3pm in addition to required trainings and meetings with the supervisor.
• They will maintain accurate records of their phone calls and in-person meetings with the participant and report them on their timesheets.
• Connector will respond to any emails and/or phone messages from the Community Peer Connector Coordinator within 48 hours.
• At no time, will the Connector act as a counselor, case manager, or therapist.
• Connector will be in regular communication with their supervisor and will report any issues or concerns related to assigned matches.

• Completion of NAMI Peer-To-Peer Education Course (Required)

• Must have a lived experience of mental illness from which to draw upon as an example of living in wellness and recovery (Required)
• Agree to an employee background screening (Required)
• Ability to travel to independently using either a personal vehicle or public transportation (e.g., bus). (Required)
• Must have a strong knowledge base coming from NAMI’s Peer-to-Peer class, the WRAP process, and/or other related training experiences.
• Must be comfortable with using a computer for email notifications and filing activity reports.
• Be familiar with NAMI programs, basic knowledge of mental health conditions, treatments, and resources in Santa Clara County.

• Microsoft Office 2010 (Outlook, Excel, Teams)
• E-mail
• Internet

• Listening skills:
  Must have strong active listening skills with the ability to listen without judgment and provide empathetic support.
• Communicate Effectively:
  Speak and write in a respectful and clear way, and reply to emails and messages in a timely manner.
• Maintain Confidentiality:
  Must have a demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality. Information related to participants should be discussed only your supervisor.
• Ability to maintain and model professional boundaries in accordance with the program guidelines.
• Be inclusive:
  Ability to work respectfully with all people who may be from different races, ethnicities, identities, and religions. Connectors should never discriminate based on any of these areas.
• Must have proven organizational skills and complete required paperwork in a timely manner.
• Be willing to take feedback and direction from a supervisor and work collaboratively with CPP team.
• Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, and punctuality.

Send your completed application form to the Community Peer Program coordinator

Community Peer Program coordinator
NAMI-Santa Clara County
1150 S. Bascom Ave. Suite 24,
San Jose, CA 95128.