Starting range- $17.33 per hour non-cert, $18.75 per hour cert

FLSA Status: Non exempt

The Youth Peer Advocate will be a Young Adult who is willing to self- identify as a person who has, or is receiving, mental health services as a youth or young adult, and is prepared to use that experience to collaborate with, coach and challenge other youth to view their life experiences as an opportunity for growth and change. The Youth Peer Advocate operates within a team of professionals who deliver services to consumers of Behavioral Health Services. The Youth Peer Advocate delivers peer support services with rehabilitation and recovery focus, with a primary goal of connecting individuals to community based recovery supports consistent with the treatment/recovery plan. Honesty, respect for diversity, high personal standards, professional language and behavior reflecting such values are required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

· Provide peer advocacy services to transition aged youth (TAY)

· Provides direct contact, outreach, mentoring, systems navigation, oversight, and crisis support as needed to TAY enrolled in the project

· Assist TAY with identifying and connecting to education opportunities, employment, social activities, and health home integration of services

· Works in collaboration with the other program staff and partners to identify and advocate for services

· Support the recovery of participants and follows- up after discharge to identify and engage with a range of community- based supports

· Completes detailed written record of activities

· Maintains personal wellness

· Facilitate youth peer support and skill building groups

· Performs all other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

· HS diploma or equivalency.

· Must be eligible to receive certification as a Youth Peer Advocate.

· Must have working knowledge of the mental health system and recovery process.

· Working knowledge of community resources, including housing, supportive services, and peer support activities.

· Ability to identify potential crisis situations and convey this information to a supervisor in a timely and appropriate manner.

· Must possess the ability to establish trusting relationships with TAY who have experienced homelessness, mental illness and substance use disorders, and maintain respect for client rights and personal preferences in treatment.

· Bilingual English/Spanish, Arabic, or other language strongly preferred

· Excellent organizational, problem- solving, and time management skills.