Boulder County government offices closed Thursday, Nov. 28, and Friday, Nov. 29, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Volunteer Opportunity

COAP Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program- unpaid internship January 2025

Application or Registration Deadline: 12/30/2024
Opportunity Type: Ongoing Volunteer Opportunity
Department: Community Services
Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
Time Commitment & Minimum Age: 16-24 hours per week - Continuous 9 months minimum commitment - counseling internship
Location:

In-person

Community Justice Services (CJS is a division of Community Services)

Boulder County Jail

Airport Rd, Boulder

Program Summary:

The Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Site-based Program (COAP) is a jail-based program under Community Justice Services (CJS). COAP completes screenings to assess opioid dependency and risk for overdose and provides in services in jail and in the community upon release from custody.

The program provides DBT, individual therapy, group counseling, and services based on the individualized treatment needs of the client. In preparing for reentry, COAP supports linkage to services including ongoing treatment and recovery support services. The COAP and JMAT (Jail Medication Assisted Treatment) Teams work closely together to promote individual recovery goals and provide supportive services.

The position is open until filled. Apply early!

Duties and Responsibilities:

COAP Intern Role: The COAP Intern will work closely with the COAP Clinician and Reentry Case Manager to support clients with Opioid Use Disorder. They will assist with group therapy and individual counseling targeted to support clients’ individual goals related to reducing substance use or harm reduction. This role will coordinate with the JMAT team and other jail teams and collaborate to meet client needs. This role will work to build collaborative relationships with community partners to support clients transition into the community.

What You Will Learn:

  1. How to run groups based on Evidence Based Practices that have been proven effective in lowering recidivism.
  2. Guidelines on how to emotionally support our clientele within a jail environment, both during individual and group sessions.
  3. How to organize and manage clients within a group setting.
  4. How to look for levels of risk among our population, and various needs pertaining to mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
  5. How to work alongside various clinical and operations staff with the intention of balancing safety and security with treatment.
  6. The importance of self-care within a clinical setting.
Qualifications and Requirements:

What We Require:

  1. Accredited second year master’s program in Psychology or Counseling.
  2. A continuous 9-month commitment. 16-24 hrs./week, min.
  3. Strong and mature communication skills.
  4. Organization, specifically with ability to manage time well.
  5. Creativity and Flexibility.
  6. Familiarity with self-care techniques, though we also offer trainings.
  7. Comfort working within a jail setting.
  8. Must be at least 21 years old.
  9. Must agree to criminal background check and fingerprinting. Those with previous lived experience are often an asset and each applicant is vetted on an individual basis.

Preferred:

Bilingual in Spanish and English.

Understanding of mental illness and substance use disorders and the impact it has on a person’s life.

Understanding of security issues surrounding clients in a detention setting.

Understanding of trauma and trauma informed practices.

Training Dates and Information:

Training is dependent on the candidate’s needs.

A jail orientation is mandatory. Those orientations are scheduled through the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office jail administrator on specific dates throughout the year.

Additional Information:

The candidate will interact with seasoned, compassionate, and skilled professionals in our Jail Education and Transition program residing in the Boulder County Jail. In this position the intern will collaborate with deputies, CJS staff, clients and other professionals present in the jail.

Contact:

Mary Eldred, JSVP Coordinator

jsvp@bouldercounty.gov

303-441-3718

Application Process:

Contact Mary Eldred, Justice System Volunteer Program Coordinator, and request the application link.

In the application, you’ll be asked to provide 3 email references, your resume, and accurate completion of the online form. Once submitted, a background check will be performed, and if passed, all pertinent documents will be sent to the supervisor for their review. If chosen to continue in the process, the supervisor will contact the applicant for an interview. The position is open until filled. Apply early!

For application, Email Mary at: jsvp@bouldercounty.gov

Once a candidate is chosen, they will be fingerprinted at the Justice Center in Boulder and onboarding will begin with required signatures on confidentiality and other agreements, ID badge, technology required for the position and training schedule set.