SPECIALIST OUTREACH OFFICER-PEER MENTOR - Cameron County

SPECIALIST OUTREACH OFFICER-PEER MENTOR

(Contract Grant-Funded)

MONTHLY:$2,100

The role of the VTC Veteran Mentor is to act as a battle buddy, coach, guide, role model, advocate, and a support person for the individual veteran participant (Mentee) with whom he/she is working. Mentors also understand the roles of other support team members and "fill the gap" to help keep the participant moving successfully toward completing the VTC program.

A Mentor IS NOT:

-is not the mentee's Counselor

-is not the mentee's Lawyer

-is not the mentee's Doctor

-is not the mentee's Banker

-is not the mentee's Intimate Partner

Additionally, the mentor will be a primary resource and referral provider to the Mentee by helping connect him/her with benefits, assistance and support services that are community-based. The mentor will be an "Information Resource" to the veteran. Access to these support services will help reduce the participant's stress that can be caused by distractions like housing or family needs, VA benefits, educational assistance, civil legal services, Texas State Veterans Benefits and the like. Every mentor will have a list of resources available to the mentees (contained in mentee Log Book). The mentorship relationship is intended to encourage, guide, and support the veteran as he/she progresses through the court supervised treatment program.

One of the most important skills the mentor will bring to the program is his/her ability to be a good listener. A very important role is for the mentor to listen to the concerns of the veteran and help that person access their needs. Mentors should avoid lecturing the participants by imposing their own values/beliefs, but should work to understand the mentee's own values/beliefs and encourage the mentee to solve their own problems before they become destructive to their treatment program or probation compliance.

Mentors must able be respectful of Court Decorum. Silence must be adhered to when the Judge is speaking to the Mentee. This is critical. This is when we hear what issues and problems the mentees is experiencing

The mentor must be ready to offer suggestions and general guidance to the participants for any concerns they may have as they progress through the program, but it is NOT the mentor's job to solve the problem for the Mentee nor ACT AS A COUNSELOR. Rather, the mentor can help the participant identify resources that might be helpful and encourage the participant to do the "footwork" to get the help they need to solve their own life's challenges. The mentor will refer the Mentee to professionals who can help the mentee. .

The mentor must be available and ready to support the veteran when he/she may feel alone, frustrated or anxious in a way that only another veteran can appreciate and understand. In doing this, the mentor should maintain close contact with the VTC Mentor Coordinator and their Team Leader, and keep them informed of significant issues the mentee may have that could derail his/her treatment program success.

Finally, the mentor should be protective of sensitive information given to him/her by the veteran or the VTC Mentor Coordinator or Team Leader, and not reveal any information, unless it is a situation where the safety of the participant or another human being may be at risk. In those critical situations, the mentor must inform the Mentor Coordinator or Team Leader to prevent harm. This information will be given to appropriate Court officials immediately.

Mentors do not advise the court to terminate or punish a mentee. That is the role of the court. Also if a mentee does not want to talk to a mentor that is their right.

All mentors shall be screened and approved by the VTC Coordinator with help and guidance the Team Leaders. Mentors will be expected to assist the VTC Mentor Coordinator, and Team Leaders to cooperate fully with other members of the VTC Collaborative team and the participant's treatment provider.

No Benefits

VTC Mentor Eligibility Requirements

In order to participate as a mentor in the VTC program, you must:

1. Be a veteran or active member of one of the branches of the United States Military, including Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, or the corresponding Reserve or National Guard component of the aforementioned services. The Mentor must have a Honorable Discharge.

1. Agree to follow and abide by all policies and procedures of the Cameron County 444thVeterans Treatment Court and its Mentoring Program.

1. Commit to the VTC Mentoring Program for a minimum period for a 6 month period

1. Complete the Mentor Orientation Program and any

Additional training that may be required by the program.

1. Not be currently on probation for a conviction for any crime (felony or misdemeanor). Have no felony or misdemeanor convictions within the past five years, and be able to pass a security background check. The Mentor Coordinator will handle all misdemeanor or felony convictions issues on a case-by-case basis on incoming mentor applications

1. Complete and file the application form with the VTC Mentor Coordinator and complete the screening process.

1. Understand and support the Mentee VTC participant's requirements, treatment plan and goals, and terms and conditions of probation, and assist the Mentee in complying to make progress and achieve success.

1. Understand the psychological war wounds from which the Mentee suffers and the manner in which such will present challenges to the Mentee's path to success. Be able and willing to be a guiding influence toward recovery. Do not be negative, judgmental or negative in your relationship with mentees

VTC Mentors Duties and Responsibilities

1. VTC Veteran Mentors shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Attend all scheduled court sessions of their veteran participant unless excused by the VTC Coordinator.

1. Participate in and lead mentoring sessions with their assigned veteran, as required by the VTC Mentor Coordinator and Team Leaders.

1. Be supportive of the veteran's treatment progress and steer him/her towards program compliance and success.

1. To the extent possible, the mentor should assist the veteran to identify ways to resolve personal and family problems that may interfere with success in the court process or treatment program. The mentor should be knowledgeable and prepared to offer referrals to available community based resources, and coordinate them with the Mentor Coordinator and their Team Leader. They will then coordinate with the Court Coordinator to avoid interference with other aspects of the VTC Program, specifically the Counseling sessions conducted at the VA Hospital

1. Be supportive of other mentors in the program.

1. Be honest with the Mentee, VTC team members, and the Court at all times.

1. Mentors shall take immediate action to encourage the participant to contact suicide resources, including dialing 911 yourself, if there are any indications of suicidal thoughts, attempts or plans on part of the participant. Mentors should keep current resource phone numbers on your person at all times and ensure they are updated by frequent contact with the VTC Mentor Coordinator and their Team Leader. The VTC Mentor Coordinator and Team Leaders shall notify the Court Coordinator and VA Social Worker or VJO immediately if the mentor has any concerns that the mentee may be suicidal.

1. The VTC Team Leader Responsibilities:

1. Will distribute cases at each court session to the mentors and abide by all duties and responsibilities of a mentor as listed above
2. Will act as the go-between with the mentor and the Court Coordinator during the Court session. Team Leader will inform Court Coordinator of issues the mentor feels he should be aware of after consultation with Coordinator
3. Will work closely with Mentor Coordinator to ensure an orderly process during the court session

D Will take over duties of the Coordinator if needed in their absence.

1. The VTC Mentor Coordinator shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Assume the major responsibility for recruiting qualified veteran mentors.

1. Be responsible for coordinating the mentor orientation program and any specialized training required.

1. Be responsible for matching and recommending particular mentors for each eligible veteran participant in the Veterans Treatment Court Program.

1. Provide all mentors with current contact information for suicide prevention resources, keep them updated, and provide frequent contacts with mentors to ensure they understand the importance of using these resources in appropriate situations.

1. Attend all court sessions and carry out any other duties assigned by the VTC Court Coordinator or the Judge.

1. G. Appoint Team Leaders

1. Write and update Mentor Manual.

1. Maintain a structured, formal mentoring program.

1. Will have final say in mentor policies and disputes. Will be the liaison between the mentors and the Judge for all questions or issues

1. Counsel Mentors if needed Also, terminate mentor, if warranted