Young Adult Peer Mentor

Vinfen•Lawrence, MA

8d•$21 - $21

About The Position

The Youth and Young Adult (YYA) Access Center (AC) Young Adult Peer Mentor (YAPM) is a young adult who has personal experience living with and recovering from mental health needs, substance use challenges, and/or traumatic life experiences. They have experienced challenges in one or more areas that interfered significantly with their everyday life. The AC YAPM is essential in welcoming new YYA to services and to the activities offered at the AC. The AC YAPM is key in supporting YYA using Achieve My Plan-PLUS (AMP+).

Requirements

Competent in the use of the Young Adult Peer Mentoring Practice Profile
Knowledge of both the DMH Child Youth and Family and Adult services systems
Skilled in the use of Achieve My Plan
Ability to assist YYA in participating in service planning to meet YYA expressed goals
Skilled in mediation and conflict resolution
Willing to use and share their personal, practical experience of recovery process, wellness management, and the personal effort and commitment required for YYA to have a full and satisfying life in the community
Strong commitments to the right and ability of people with psychiatric disability to live, work, have meaningful relationships, and receive the resources and supports needed in their community of choice
Knowledge of person-centered, strengths-based, recovery-oriented values, and principles and modalities
Ability to learn and use evidence-based approaches and approaches
Ability to create and maintain supportive, trusting relationships with YYA served by the AC
Commitment to maintain confidentiality of YYA
Knowledge of engagement and participatory planning techniques
Sensitivity to the cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender differences of YYA
Knowledge and use of advocacy techniques
Respect for and knowledge of legal, civil, and human rights of YYA
Knowledge of community and other resources
Ability to work independently as well as a part of a team
Ability to use crisis intervention techniques and relapse prevention techniques
Ability to balance competing priorities
Ability to make independent judgments and decisions
Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment
Experience as a recipient of services for people with psychiatric conditions and be well along in own personal recovery (self-knowledge and habits needed to support one’s own health) required.
One year experience working with YYA experiencing co-occurring disorders in addition to psychiatric conditions required.
Valid driver’s license preferred.
Access to an operational and insured vehicle and willingness to use it to transport YYA preferred.
CPR required within two weeks of hire
First Aid required within two weeks of hire
NET required
Achieve My Plan PLUS certification within 6 months of hire
Certified Peer Specialist and/or successfully complete the Core Elements of Young Adult Peer Mentoring Training by six months of hire

Nice To Haves

Bi-lingual/bi-cultural applicants, LGBTQ+ applicants, and Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC) applicants are encouraged to apply.
A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Bachelor’s degree in a human services discipline strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Works with the YYA (if chosen) to enhance skills of self-direction and empowerment.
Provides 1:1 support, coaching, and modeling to support and improve engagement in services.
Carries caseload of 10 YYA for the purposes of providing individual 1:1 peer mentoring.
Provides the core staffing for the AC.
Uses the Young Adult Peer Mentoring Practice Profile to define role.
Provides outreach and marketing efforts to educate YYA and other stakeholders in the community about the program and services.
Helps the AC leadership, clinician, and TIP Facilitator staff with the identification and accessing of existing and new services and service providers that will benefit the YYA.
Helps the YYA to develop supportive relationships and community connections.
Promotes the development of healthy lifestyles and wellness practices, including substance use.
Supports the YYA in the development of self-sufficiency and positive employment behaviors.
Helps the YYA to identify their needs and goals relating to education, employment, family relationships, spirituality, and social recreation, and ensure they are integrated in their service planning.
Helps YYA in communicating and working effectively with service providers, employers, natural supports, family members, and others to achieve their goals.
Helps YYA in developing life skills, finding their voice and identifying and using their strengths.
Uses Achieve My Plan PLUS, Gathering and Inspiring Future Talent, motivational interviewing, harm reduction, and other evidence informed/based and best practice models, as trained.
Promotes discovery and recovery as they use their own lived experience in a purposeful, strength-based way to support YYA.
Inspires hope and future focus in YYA.
Attends in-service trainings and staff meetings.
Helps YYA develop self-advocacy skills, in groups or individually.
Serves as a bridge between the child/young adult-serving mental health service systems on behalf of the YYA.
Helps maximize choices available to YYA as well as their self-determination, and participation and decision-making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of their services.
Models effective coping techniques and self-help strategies.
Provides crisis intervention, when needed.
Performs other related duties, as assigned.