Support Specialist - Kinship Peer Mentor

The Support Specialist - Kinship Peer Mentor is responsible for providing program assistance, guidance, crisis support, and administrative support to Youth & Family Services projects. This position will assist weekly with participant engagement, resource navigation, and participant group while using appropriate research methods to conduct duties, as well as, lead group exercises, develop professional rapport with participants, and monitor participant progress throughout the duration of the program.

The Support Specialist supports participants through a human centered and trauma informed approach, in addition they are engaging, culturally responsive and aware of the diverse needs of various cultures, races, ethnicities and populations.

* This position's contract has an end date of 6/30/2027 with the potential for extension*

Learn more about YMCA Youth and Family Services programs

For more on Employee Perks, Employee Benefits | YMCA of San Diego County (ymcasd.org)

SCHEDULE:

• 8 hours per week during the hours of 8 a.m.
  
  - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday with the potential for evening hours based on client needs

WORK DESIGNATION:

• Remote (must work within San Diego County Region)
  • Client meetings conducted primarily virtually with the potential for in-person meetings with San Diego County based on client needs
  • Monthly in-person team meetings
  • Please note that the work designation may change based on business needs.

PROGRAM

SUMMARY:

The Kinship Support Program serves grandparents and other relatives raising children in the family in San Diego County. We provide navigation/case management, support groups, respite care, emergency funds, and family events. Our goal is to make sure caregivers have the resources and support needed for the kinship children in their care.

• Provide administrative and intervention support to program staff; prepare agendas and activities for groups, assist with documentation and data collection, support various meetings and activities, facilitate groups and lead activities, provide support for the collection and analysis of data required for reporting purposes
• Utilize shared life experience expertise to advance program interventions and participant satisfaction
• Identify and navigate complex community resources and referral processes
• Apply mental health first aid training to participants in crisis
• Engage in recruitment and outreach activities and advocacy strategies
• Provide aftercare, follow-up, and stabilization support services to participants
• Maintain engaging, professional relationships with participants
• Individually meet with participants, assess the need for and provide supportive services, and apply designed curriculum as needed
• Perform other administrative tasks as assigned and assist with maintaining proper document storage and auditing
• Participate in and attend all required staff meetings, trainings, YMCA staff development events, and appropriate agency-wide committees

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have access to reliable transportation to travel occasionally throughout San Diego County

• High school diploma preferred
• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Minimum two years’ relevant experience required
• Lived experience as a kinship caregiver preferred
• Familiarity with life experiences common among the transition aged youth population preferred
• Experience with Independent Living Skills issues (financial aid, college admissions, GED preparation, housing, transportation) preferred
• Familiar with the operations of federal grants preferred
• Basic computer knowledge and skills
• Familiar with community resources and referral processes preferred

JOB

COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to quickly build rapport with others
• Must be an adult role model with the…