WISe Youth Partner

Akin (formerly Childhaven)•Vancouver, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The WISe Youth Partner is a Certified Peer Specialist who draws on their own lived experience as a young person who has navigated trauma, emotional or behavioral health challenges, and involvement in child-serving systems. In this role, you are a trusted bridge between the youth you serve and the WISe team — ensuring that the voice and choice of each young person is genuinely heard, respected, and reflected at every stage of the process. Many WISe participants are reluctant to share their perspectives, hopes, and concerns — particularly those who have been marginalized or unheard in previous system of care experiences. You will build the kind of authentic, peer-based relationship that makes it safe for youth to speak up. Your work ensures that each young person’s perspective is captured with honesty and dignity in the Cross-System Care Plan (CSCP) and the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) tool, so that the plan truly belongs to them. Services are provided in homes, schools, and other community settings with a flexible schedule that meets youth where they are. This position has access to protected healthcare information (PHI) or confidential identifiable information (CII), both paper and electronic, as necessary, to perform related job duties and responsibilities.

Requirements

Lived experience as a young person who has navigated trauma and/or significant emotional or behavioral health challenges, with personal involvement in at least one child-serving system (e.g., mental health, child welfare, juvenile justice, special education)
A demonstrated ability to connect authentically with youth who may feel unheard, distrustful, or disengaged from services
The ability to draw on your own story to build hope and trust without centering your experience over the youth’s
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with warmth, patience, and genuine enthusiasm for young people’s growth
Commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and belonging; demonstrated openness to learning and contributing to an equitable workplace
Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook and Word; strong typing skills
Have or obtain the Peer Counselor Certification from the State of Washington within 6 months of hire (Akin will support with the process to obtain this certification)
Proof of CPR and First Aid Certification is required within 30 days
A one-step Mantoux TB skin test prior to start of employment. For those who have previously tested positive, documented proof of treatment from a doctor, or a negative chest x-ray must be provided
HIV/AIDS and blood borne pathogens training required within 30 days
A valid driver’s license and a favorable driving record, with no more than three violations within the past three years

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in a peer support role

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary champion for the voice and choice of each WISe participant, ensuring their perspective is articulated and honored throughout every phase of the WISe process
Build trusting relationships with youth who may be reluctant to share their views, especially those who have been marginalized or dismissed in previous system experiences
Ensure each young person’s hopes, concerns, strengths, and goals are captured respectfully and clearly in the Cross-System Care Plan (CSCP) and the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) tool
Assess and support the youth’s ability and confidence to communicate their own perspective and preferences, and actively work to strengthen that capacity over time
Advocate for the youth’s needs, interests, and goals within the Child and Family Team and the broader community
Meet with youth regularly, bringing authenticity, consistency, and genuine care to every interaction
Draw on your own lived experience to build rapport, establish trust, and demonstrate that recovery and a meaningful life are possible
Listen to each young person’s story and, with them, identify their strengths, needs, preferences, and goals
Work with youth to identify and engage natural supports in the wraparound process
Coach youth to develop communication, self-advocacy, and self-regulation skills that help them take an active role in their own treatment and goal-setting
Model effective ways to engage with systems, services, and team members
Share de-escalation strategies for managing difficult moments, developed and reinforced collaboratively with the whole team
Help youth understand their rights within the systems they are involved in and how to exercise those rights
Encourage youth to give feedback to team members and celebrate progress toward their goals
Draw on lived experience to help youth navigate complex systems — including mental health, education, child welfare, and juvenile justice — in practical and empowering ways
Participate in Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings, providing youth-centered perspective and supporting youth participation and voice in those meetings
Connect youth to community resources, activities, and natural supports that align with their interests and goals
Brainstorm and co-develop strategies with youth that build on their strengths and expand their sense of possibility
Participate in rotating after-hours crisis on-call coverage, providing timely response and support to youth and families outside of regular business hours
Collaborate with CFT members and complete assigned tasks on the care plan relevant to this role
Communicate with the team about progress and completion of assigned tasks
Provide a range of supportive interventions and activities as agreed with the youth and documented in the cross-system care plan
Coordinate strategies and approaches with clinicians and other team members to ensure consistency
Maintain productivity standards for direct service as established for the position
Ensure timely collection of statistical information for funding sources and program evaluations
Ensure compliance with all Akin policies, applicable contracts, and Federal, State, and local confidentiality requirements
Perform documentation reviews and self-audits as required by the WISe Coach or as needs arise
Participate in scheduled supervision, team meetings, and administrative meetings; utilize reflective supervision to support professional growth and quality client care
Remain current with all professional development and licensure requirements