Intern - Community-Based Peer Specialist Programs

Job Responsibilities: Internship - Community-Based Peer Specialist Programs



General Information on Population:

A Certified Peer Specialist is a person who has lived the experience of mental health, substance use or co-occurring needs, is in recovery, has had formal training in the peer specialist model of support, and has passed the State of Wisconsin certification exam or successfully becomes certified within one year of hire. Peer Specialists work 1:1 with people enrolled in the community-based Peer Specialist programs who are beginning the process of recovery. Peer Specialists utilize their own unique lived experience to engage the people they are serving and role model recovery during each interaction.

Peer Specialists support all individuals in the following goals: improve quality of life for individuals, promote individuals' recovery, increase individuals' ability to effectively deal with challenges and problem solve crises, increase individuals' ability to manage stressors outside of an inpatient hospital setting and assist individuals in navigating between system access points and levels of care.

The Community-Based Peer Specialist Programs at WCS strive to link individuals who are in recovery to a variety of self-determined supports and services, including traditional mental health services such as case management, psychiatry and individual therapy, mutual aid support groups, natural supports and discover other kinds of healing and/or purposeful activities that may contribute to the recovery process.

Brief Description of Programs/ Project:

The following programs are all considered community-based peer specialist programs:

Community Linkages and Stabilization Program (CLASP)

CLASP provides strength-based, individualized services for people beginning the process of recovery from their mental health, substance use, or co-occurring needs. The purpose of CLASP is to utilize the powerful and valuable services of Peer Specialists to support an individuals' engagement in the recovery process to reduce the likelihood of future crisis. CLASP Peer Specialists complete Needs Assessments at enrollment and discharge, which addresses life domains where an individual may need more support (mental health, substance use, legal, primary/medical care, housing). Peer Specialists also works closely with the CLASP Clinician to complete a Crisis Plan within 30 days of an individual's enrollment. To be eligible for CLASP an individual must reside in Milwaukee County, must be referred through a Milwaukee County Crisis Services Program, and must have a diagnosis of mental health, substance use, or co-occurring needs.

Emergency Department 2 Recovery (ED2Recovery)

Ed2Recovery is an innovative approach in supporting those affected by substance use disorders. Services are provided 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Aurora, Ascension, and Froedtert hospital systems make referrals to an Ed2Recovery Peer Specialist (also referred to as a Recovery Coach within this program) following an individual's overdose. A Peer Specialist then travels to the hospital within one hour of the referral and connects with the individual who is in the hospital. After a connection is made with the individual who wants services, that individual partners with their Peer Specialist following their discharge from the hospital. This can include receiving support with treatment-based appointments, finding housing that is suitable for their recovery, and connections with other community-based resources (clothing, food, transportation). In Ed2Recovery the Peer Specialist creates wellness plans and engages individuals in reaching their own goals, while honoring the philosophy that there are multiple pathways to recovery.

Department of Corrections (DOC) Peer Specialist Program

The DOC Peer Specialist program promotes the successful and stable transitions of individuals who have been or who are incarcerated into the community. WCS Peer Specialists within this program have lived experience related to being involved in the justice system and being incarcerated. The Peer Specialists communicate and coordinate supportive services with the individual referred and the individual's Agent of Record. Peer Specialists in the DOC program complete Needs Assessments shortly after enrollment to address life domains where the individual will need more support. To be eligible for the DOC program a referral must come directly from an Agent of Record; therefore, an individual must be on probation or parole, and is struggling with their substance use and/or mental health recovery.

Job Qualifications:
Characteristics Desired in Student Intern:

• Interest in working with adults who are in recovery from substance use and/or mental health
• Strong desire to build up the skills of others to improve their lives
• Interest in facilitating support group(s) for adults
• Interest in strengthening assessment skills via the utilization of tools such as the Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation and Triage (SAFE-T) and other Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) measures
• Willingness to enter data such as Crisis Plans or other intake/discharge documentation into appropriate database
• Ability to display cultural competence by responding respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions and other diversity factors in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth
• Ability to address all situations from a trauma informed approach
• Ability to be independent and self-directed; maintain accountability and responsibility
• Eagerness to learn and willingness to ask any questions to enhance ability to perform job responsibilities and meet their own expectations of what they what to learn through the internship/practicum
• Maintain client confidentiality within all written and verbal communications
• Ability to use time efficiently and effectively
• Strong organizational skills, ability to manage multiple complex tasks, strong professional communication and teamwork.
• Flexibility in scheduling their time on site and within the community when needed
• Working knowledge of what it means to be in recovery and the different pathways to recovery; patience and understanding of difficult life needs
• Ability to interact with escalating adults in a calm and professional manner; ability to respond appropriately in crisis situations
• Willing to receive critical feedback and implement any growth plans that on-site supervisor gives
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions
• Proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel; ability to both read and enter data in Excel
• Perform basic computer functions

Training Requirements:

• Students must be part of a Master's level social work or clinical program

Health Requirements:

• Students interested in internship/Practicum placement at one of our Community-Based Peer Specialists programs do not need to meet any health requirements at this time; however, this could be subject to change based on contractors/funders.

Other Job Information (if applicable):
How to Apply:

• Please complete the online applications, ensuring that your resume is attached.

If accepted to an internship/practicum at our site, a background check will be required (WCS will provide this)

For Additional Information, Please Contact:


Megan Skaggs, MSW, LCSW

Program Director

Phone: 414-840-3503

Email: mskaggs@wiscs.org