Peer Advocate (Youth Peer)
About The Position
The Child Center of NY strengthens children and families with skills, opportunities, and emotional support to build healthy, successful lives. Founded in 1953, The Child Center of NY has become a powerful community presence throughout the city. With 50 locations and 100 programs in NYC’s most under-served communities, our 1,000+ results-oriented professionals make a difference for more than 40,000 children and their families each year. Summary Family Peer Advocates assist families to set priorities and goals, provide information, and help families navigate multiple complex service systems. Family Peer Advocates support families to strengthen their connections to community resources and connect with natural supports. The Peer Specialist plays a vital role in supporting individuals engaged in CCBHC services, using lived experience with mental health or substance use challenges to foster engagement, hope, and empowerment. The Peer Specialist provides peer-led interventions, assists with service navigation, and promotes recovery-oriented practices while collaborating with clinical teams and community partners to ensure person-centered care. The primary role of a Youth Advocate is to identify and address the needs and concerns of young people, and to empower them to become active and engaged members of their communities.
Requirements
- High School Diploma or Equivalency
- 2 years’ experience
- Credentialed (FPA - C)
- Reliable Transportation: Ability to travel to different locations to meet with families.
- New York State Peer Specialist Certification (NYCPS or NYCPS-P).
- Youth Peer Advocate Certification (YPA).
Nice To Haves
- Bilingual Skills (Preferred): Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Bengali and others, may be required depending on client needs.
- Experience working in a behavioral health or social services setting.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and person-centered recovery models
Responsibilities
- Assist families to set priorities and goals
- Provide information to families
- Help families navigate multiple complex service systems
- Support families to strengthen their connections to community resources
- Connect families with natural supports
- Provide peer-led interventions
- Assist with service navigation
- Promote recovery-oriented practices
- Collaborate with clinical teams and community partners to ensure person-centered care
- Identify and address the needs and concerns of young people
- Empower young people to become active and engaged members of their communities
Benefits
- Sign-On Bonus: $3,000 Sign-On Bonus Eligible
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
