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Park County drop-in center to advertise peer-support jobs, expand May programming
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Summary
At a Livingston LAC meeting, the Park County drop-in center said its state contract is executed, it will advertise part-time peer support specialist roles at $20 an hour, and it plans peer-led May programming and outreach while confirming a possible alley repair could affect access to the facility.
Jenny Jo, a staff member at the Park County drop-in center, told the Local Advisory Council that the center’s contract with the state has been executed and that the center is seeking to hire peer support specialists.
“Our contract finally got executed with the state, and, we are, you know, working on getting reimbursements all the way back from last July,” Jenny Jo said. She said the center will advertise part-time peer support roles at $20 an hour and prefers multiple part-time specialists so staffing can cover crises and reduce burnout.
The center plans activities for Mental Health Awareness Month, including a calendar of weekly topics (anxiety, mood disorders and related classes) and volunteer-led skill sessions such as knitting and watercolor to encourage coping skills. Jenny Jo said the center will not require preregistration for drop-in classes and expects some volunteers to supply materials; the center may partner with the Livingston Food Resource Center for any cooking classes.
A wellness fair was proposed for the drop-in space but Jenny Jo said she needs to confirm whether the alleyway entrance will remain passable. A rumor that the alley would be torn up prompted board members to advise contacting Shannon Holmes, the city public works director, for confirmation; Jenny Jo said she will follow up with city officials.
The center will also recruit at a community job fair at the Park County Fairgrounds. Jenny Jo said state rules require peer-support applicants to have at least two years in recovery (from mental health conditions, substance use disorder or a combination), and that lived-experience and willingness to discuss recovery are part of the job expectation.
The council and volunteers offered logistics support: board members and local partners have taken printed outreach pieces to schools, public offices and health-care sites to promote programming and positions. Jenny Jo said she will circulate the peer-support job description to the council for wider advertising.
The council and drop-in staff said they will continue to coordinate distribution, storage and volunteer scheduling as May programming rolls out.
