Youth Peer Advocate

Job Description

Program Overview:

Family and Youth Peer Support (FYPS) Services support and empower parents/caregivers of children and youth (birth – age 24) who are experiencing social, emotional, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges, and the children and youth themselves. The goals of the program are to: (i) to provide parents/caregivers and youth with a comprehensive range of peer services in order to empower parents to advocate their child’s needs and improve the mental health of parents/caregivers and children/youth served and (ii) reduce the stigma associated with mental health services for both individuals and communities.

Job Responsibilities/Duties

• Will carry a caseload of 85 unduplicated children and youth annually.

• Will assist youth with identifying needs, strengths, challenges, and goal and develop individualized care plans (ICP).

• Facilitate groups and hold individual one-on-one peer support sessions focusing on Engagement, Bridging and Transition Support to help increase participants’ strengths to navigate systems and better respond to caregiver

• Provide Youth with the tools needed in order to learn how to self-advocate and manage systems.

• Encourage and support the youth involvement in their treatment plan and use of community resources.

• Coach and Model shared decision-making and skills to support collaborations.

• Accompany youth and families to meeting and appointments as needed.

• Support and encourage family and youth participation in community, regional state, national activities to develop their leadership skills. Encourage civic stewardship.

• Provide groups and workshops on Youth Skill Development and teaching youth how to learn and practices strategies that encourage positive behavior.

• Provide education on wellness and resiliency.

• Encourage youth to stay in school, and the importance of an education. Attend school meetings as needed.

• Connect youth to support systems within their own community.

• Conduct outreach and participate in community events.

• Help youth to improve social skills, and become more involved in leisure and recreational activities as well as connect them to faith based institutions and cultural activities and organizations.

• Make referrals for needed services and additional supports as needed.

• Will help develop clients’ support systems and integrate them into community services.

• Document and report on all outcomes and goals of the program Supervisor and Alliance Coordinator.

• Participate in community level committees/forums to represent the youth's perspective and influence policy.

Qualifications

• Must have a minimum of a High-School degree or GED

• Two years of relevant experience and be a Certified Peer Leader within 18 months of hire.

• Have self-identified as a person who has first-hand experience with the population we serve.

• Computer proficient

• Bilingual preferred

Hours of Operation Flexible

9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday with at least one evening until 8PM, some Saturdays and Holidays.

Full-time