James Carter
Easton,MD
Summary
Dynamic Certified Peer Support Specialist / RPS with extensive experience at Chesapeake Voyagers Inc., excelling in mental health & addiction advocacy and recovery planning. Proven ability to enhance peer support services through effective leadership and resource navigation, fostering community awareness and promoting self-advocacy. Committed to ethical standards and empowering individuals on their recovery journey, including efforts to eliminate stigma and supervise peers seeking certification.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Certified Peer Support Specialist/RPS
Chesapeake Voyagers Inc.
02.2022 - Current
- Modeling & Ethics: Demonstrate effective supervision and ethical behavior for certified Peer Recovery Specialists (PRS).
- Oversight: Provide supervision within a specific area of expertise while maintaining knowledge of integrated behavioral health systems.
- Documentation: Maintain thorough records of all supervision hours.Maryland Addiction and Behavioral-health Professionals Certification Board +1 Supervision & Mentoring: Provide weekly or bi-weekly and administrative supervision for a team of Peer Recovery Specialists (PRS), focusing on development, morale, and goal attainment.
- Certification Support: Guide and mentor staff through the Maryland Addiction and Behavioral-health Professionals Certification Board (MABPCB) certification and recertification process, ensuring all prerequisite hours and training are documented.
- Ethical Modeling: Demonstrate and uphold MABPCB ethical standards and professional boundaries to provide a model of excellence for supervised peer workers.
Peer Support Specialist
Talbot County
06.2017 - 02.2022
- Improved the quality of care for peers by actively participating in treatment planning meetings and offering insights from a peer perspective.
- Facilitated therapeutic recreational activities designed to build social connections among peers while promoting physical wellbeing.
- Actively pursued ongoing professional development opportunities to remain informed of emerging trends and best practices within the field of peer support services.
- Contributed to program development efforts by regularly reviewing policies and procedures to ensure alignment with evidence-based practices within the field of peer support services.
- Maintained accurate records of peers interactions according to organizational guidelines, protecting confidentiality while ensuring thorough documentation for continuity of care purposes.
- Assisted peers in identifying community resources and services, increasing their access to valuable support networks.
- Promoted peer self-advocacy through education on rights, responsibilities, and navigating complex systems of care.
- Assisted peers in developing and maintaining personalized wellness plans, guiding them in setting achievable goals for improved mental health outcomes.
- Increased community awareness of mental health issues by conducting outreach presentations at local schools, businesses, and organizations.
- Reduced recidivism rates by collaborating with re-entry programs in a forensic setting. This involved:
* Providing support and guidance to individuals transitioning from correctional facilities.
* Assisting in the development and implementation of individualized re-entry plans.
* Connecting peer with community resources and services to promote successful reintegration.
* Advocating for peers' needs within the criminal justice system.
* Utilizing forensic knowledge to address complex behavioral and mental health issues.
* Monitoring client progress and making adjustments to support strategies as needed..
Head Cook
Rusticana Pizza
02.2010 - 06.2017
- Placed orders to restock items before supplies ran out.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
- Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget.
Education
High School Diploma -
Stamford
Stamford, CTSkills
- Mental health advocacy
- Addiction support strategies
- Proactive relapse avoidance
- Cultural awareness
- Family support
- Resource navigation
- Boundary setting
- Recovery planning
- Peer advocacy
- Self-care techniques
- Problem-solving skills
- Stress reduction
- Leadership skills
- Motivational interviewing
- Mental health services
- Recovery assistance and support
- Arranging transportation
Accomplishments
Successfully obtained and currently hold certifications in RPS (Recovery Peer Specialist) and CPRS (Certified Peer Recovery Specialist), and these credentials, combined with the recognition received through multiple awards, serve as compelling evidence of a substantial level of expertise, unwavering dedication, and a consistent commitment to ongoing professional development and improvement within the dynamic field of peer support. In addition to these professional achievements, my status as an individual in long-term recovery provides me with invaluable firsthand experience and perspective. This personal journey has fostered remarkable resilience, facilitated significant personal growth, and instilled a profound understanding of the multifaceted challenges and transformative triumphs experienced by individuals actively seeking support and working towards their own recovery goals.
Certification
- Certified Peer Support Specialist
- Register Peer Supervisor
Languages
English
Professional Working
Spanish
Limited Working
Timeline
Certified Peer Support Specialist/RPS
Chesapeake Voyagers Inc.
02.2022 - Current
Peer Support Specialist
Talbot County
06.2017 - 02.2022
Head Cook
Rusticana Pizza
02.2010 - 06.2017
High School Diploma -
Stamford