Peer Navigator, New Jersey Peer 2 Peer Program

Function:

The Peer-to-Peer Navigators (P2PN) need to have their own lived experience with the foster care system in their personal life, in order to mentor young adults ages 14-21 who are currently in foster care. As a credible messenger, P2P Navigators will connect, empower, guide, and engage youth in how to handle challenges they may face while navigating the foster care system. As a P2P Navigator, they will harness the strengths of the youth to create a supportive relationship and mentor them to learn to advocate for themselves, build supportive social networks and professional relationships to achieve their own goals.

Responsibilities:

• Harnesses own lived experience navigating foster care to engage, empower and connect with youth who are currently involved with the child welfare system;
• Serves as mentors, role models and “system navigators” to youth (ages 14-21) who are in the DCF foster care system and preparing for adulthood;
• Supports the philosophy, mission and purpose of P2P, and its strength-based, trauma and healing informed care services to assist the youth in leading self-directed lives centered on fostering authentic goals-centered partnerships;
• Connects youth to resources and services necessary to support their individual growth and success;
• Assists youth in the foster care system to understand the different and key roles that various professionals such as child welfare, legal professionals (Law Guardian), advocates (CASA), and behavioral health system professionals (CSOC, CMO) play in their lives;
• Establishes rapport with youth and provides guidance in youth’s identification, development, and planning of specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals to pursue;
• Ensures that youth assessments and data entry are completed on time to track youth progress;
• Attends ongoing supervision to process the challenges and barriers in working with youth, and to develop strategies to enhance youth mentorship;
• Schedules and attends appointments with youth and ensures that communication is maintained between appointments;
• Gains a thorough understanding of the roles of other professionals who assist the youth;
• Maintains written communication logs and progress notes in a timely manner;

Qualifications/ Requirements:

• Minimum of a High School Diploma or its equivalent with lived experience in the child welfare system;
• Peer navigators are considered “near peers” and are required to be relatable to the youth;
• Valid driver’s license in good standing, good driving history;
• Basic understanding and computer literacy skills with Microsoft Office, such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, and Outlook;
• Basic organizational skills and strong oral communication skills;
• Must demonstrates an understanding of the importance of culture, race and issues facing adolescents of color, and demonstrate ability to effectively use a multi-cultural approach in working with special needs youth;
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from various socio-economic, racial, religious, cultural backgrounds;
• Must actively participate in and seek out supervision as needed
• Ability to work effectively both as a member of a team member and independently;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with youth and staff, as well as ability to partner with professionals;
• Able to speak publicly and participate in team trainings as required;
• Ability to utilize calendar to schedule visits and meetings;
• Must have the flexibility to work a non-traditional work schedule that is accommodating to clients; afterschool, evening, and weekends will be the norm;
• Other relevant duties as assigned.

We’re an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $41,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Have you been in the foster care system?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• South Orange, NJ (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $41,500