ACT Youth Peer Advocate (24344)

Northern Rivers Family of Services•Queensbury, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Youth Peer Advocate, you will serve as an ally, mentor, and advocate for clients and families navigating the challenges of mental illness. You will utilize your lived experience to contribute to treatment planning for each participant and foster a culture of respect within the team. This role is part of the Youth Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Program, an innovative treatment program dedicated to serving children with mental illness or serious emotional disturbance and their families. You will report to the Director of Youth Act and work onsite, with significant community-based travel required.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
A valid New York State driver’s license with reliable transportation.
Complete and obtain the NYCPS-Provisional certification for review by the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board (NYPSCB) within the agreed-upon time of start date.

Nice To Haves

Associates Degree preferred

Responsibilities

Engage individuals and establish trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goals clients identify on their treatment plans
Contribute to client treatment plans, advocating for clients' needs
Participate in daily treatment team meetings and work directly with other team members to provide support and assistance to program participants.
Provide individual face-to-face support to youth and families receiving services
Spend 70% or more of scheduled work hours in community settings
Meet with family, youth, and collateral contacts to provide psychoeducation about serious mental illness
Be a role model, educate recipients about self-help techniques and self-help group processes, teach effective coping strategies based on personal experience, teach symptom management skills, assist in clarifying rehabilitation and recovery goals, and assist in the development of community support systems and networks.