Youth Peer Advocate

Description

Job Title: Youth Peer Advocate

Department: Children and Family Treatment and Support Services (CFTSS)

Youth Peer Support (YPS) services are formal and informal services and supports provided to youth with mental health needs in their home, school, placement, and/or community centered services. These services provide the support necessary to ensure engagement and active participation of the youth in the treatment planning process and with the ongoing implementation and reinforcement of skills. Services are delivered in a trauma informed, culturally and linguistically competent manner.

Youth Peer Support should possess leadership skills and knowledge of advocacy. Youth Peer Support activities must be intended to develop and achieve the identified goals and/or objectives as set forth in the youth's individualized treatment plan. The structured, scheduled activities provided by this service emphasize the opportunity for the youth to expand the skills and strategies necessary to move forward in meeting their personal, individualized life goals, develop self-advocacy skills, and to support their transition into adulthood.

New Directions empowers caregivers through advocacy, education, support, and connection to community resources. Services help families navigate child-serving systems, build skills, strengthen natural supports, and improve outcomes for children and youth.

New Directions is an equal opportunity employer committed to championing the principles of anti-racism, justice, and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds, for all positions, who will uphold our values and contribute to our mission. We aim to have a leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

• Starting Pay: $19.50 – $21.30 per hour during your first year
• Paid Time Off: 3 weeks PTO in the first year
• Holidays: 14 paid agency holidays
• Insurance: Access to medical, dental, and life insurance
• Retirement: 401K with up to 3% agency match

Full-Time Flexible Monday – Friday schedule, with some day and evening availability required

Amherst, NY

New Directions supports professional growth through credentialing opportunities, continuing education, supervision, training, and advancement pathways within the organization.

• Help develop skills for independent living in home, school/employment and community
• Provide Engagement, Bridging, and Transition Support:
  Based on the strengths and needs of the youth and connect them with appropriate services and supports. Accompany the youth when visiting programs. Assist the youth to gather, organize and prepare documents needed for specific services. Address any concrete or subjective barriers that may prevent full participation in services. Serve as a bridge between youth and service providers, supporting a productive and respectful partnership by assisting the youth to express their strengths, needs and goals.
  
  Support and assist youth during stages of transition which may be unfamiliar (e.g. placements, in crisis, and between service systems etc.).
• Self-Advocacy, Self-Efficacy, and Empowerment:
  Empower youth to make informed decisions regarding the nature of supports for themselves
• Provide leadership opportunities for youth who are receiving Youth Peer Support Services
• Connect youth to community resources and natural supports
• Prepare youth to transition out of Youth Peer support services as they make progress towards identified goals
• Help serve as an advocate, mentor or facilitator for resolution of issues
• Enhance resiliency/recovery-oriented attitudese
• Assisting youth in understanding their treatment plan and help to ensure the plan is person/family centered

• Facilitate or help arrange youth peer resiliency/recovery support groups
• Help youth develop a network for information and support from others who have been through similar experiences, including locating similar interest programs, peer-run programs, and support groups