Youth Peer Advocate - YACT RKLD

Job Description

Job Description

JOB TITLE : Youth Peer Advocate FLSA STATUS : Non-Exempt

PROGRAM : Youth Assertive Community Treatment Rockland HOURS PER WEEK : 35

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP : Youth ACT Team Leader

Salary Range : $45,000 to $50,000

The Youth ACT Team serves children / youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) throughout Rockland County, who are returning home from inpatient settings or residential services, at risk of entering such settings, or have not adequately engaged or responded to treatment in more traditional community-based services. Youth ACT team delivers intensive, highly coordinated, individualized services and skilled therapeutic interventions through an integrated, multi-disciplinary team approach to better achieve success and maintain the child in the home, school and community.

SUMMARY of DUTIES

The Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) is a Youth ACT Team member, aged 18 to 30 years old, who self-identifies as a person who has first-hand experience with mental health and / or co-occurring behavioral health challenges. Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) services are formal and informal services and supports provided to Youth ACT Team clients who are experiencing social, medical, emotional, developmental, substance use, and / or behavioral challenges in their home, school, placement, and / or community. These services provide the support necessary to ensure engagement and active participation of the youth in the treatment planning process and support the ongoing implementation and reinforcement of skills. Services are delivered in a trauma informed, culturally and linguistically competent manner. Services offer positive youth development-centered services with a resiliency / recovery focus. The YPA will promote skills for coping and managing psychiatric symptoms and will facilitate the use of natural and community supports and resources. In addition, the YPA will promote wellness through modeling and will assist with gaining and regaining the ability to make independent choices and playing a proactive role in their own treatment. The YPA will support recovery by providing services that reflect our deeply held values that include the recognition of individual rights of self-determination, choice, shared decision-making and collaboration. When possible, the YPA will utilize evidence-based practices; always embracing a trauma-informed and person-centered approach.

SPECIFIC DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engage youth in a variety of strategies to work toward identified goals, including but not limited to : strengthening problem solving skills; providing mentoring; engaging in community resource exploration; and providing life skills support
• Document client progress and maintain a permanent record of client activity according to established methods and procedures
• Practice with a person-centered, trauma informed philosophy in alignment with the values of GMH.
• Help to shape the team’s culture to one that promotes person-centered, recovery-focused, strengths-based service delivery.
• Assist in engagement and retention activities to promote optimum involvement with the team, including helping team to maintain a youth-focused, recovery-oriented approach.
• Maintain appropriate professional standards.
• Responsible for adhering to all standards and guidelines established by applicable regulatory authorities.
• Participate in daily morning team meetings.
• Follows the established agency policies and maintains appropriate professional standards.
• Due to the nature of the position, ability to work a flexible schedule is desired.
• Other designated and related duties.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

QUALIFICATIONS :

Greater Mental Health of New York is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Greater Mental Health of New York is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact to the Human Resources Department.

Salary : $45,000 - $50,000