Youth Peer Advocate

Upstate Caring Partners•City of Utica, NY

5d•$18 - $20•Hybrid

About The Position

Youth Peer Advocates (YPA) are peers who are in a unique position to draw on their personal experience to engage and inspire hope. The focus of their work is empowering young people to find their voice, acquire new skills, and learn how to plan and partner effectively with their parents/caregivers and service providers. In the course of their work, YPAs are also promoting constructive advocacy at all levels, modeling and mentoring young people in those same skills. YPAs are individuals between 18 and 30 years of age who have self-identified as a person who has first-hand experience with social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges. They are able to use their lived experience with a disability, mental health challenge, substance use disorder and/or experience in juvenile justice, special education, and/or foster care to support young people in their resiliency/recovery and wellness journeys. YPAs receive training to develop skills and strategies to empower and support other young people. The core required training for this is the Youth Peer Advocate Training, but advocates receive a wide range of other training as well. A Youth Peer Advocate is responsible for implementing and monitoring service plan goals, in compliance with state, federal and Agency regulations and operating standards. The youth peer advocate works directly with children who have an emotional disability by skill building and behavioral support. The youth peer advocate will work to increase skill level and decrease challenging behaviors of children by addressing goals outlined in their individual goal plan. The youth peer advocate will provide services within the child’s community in order to promote independence, inclusion and quality of life.

Requirements

Must be between 18 and 30 years of age.
Self-identify as a person who has first-hand experience with social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges.
Must have lived experience with a disability, mental health challenge, substance use disorder and/or experience in juvenile justice, special education, and/or foster care.
High School Diploma or GED required.
Must have a valid New York State Driver’s License.
Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
Attest to the respective Certification Board Code of Ethical Conduct for Peer Specialists or Advocate.

Responsibilities

YPAs work with young people (primarily between ages 14-21) 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 training and support necessary to ensure the active participation and engagement of young people in the treatment planning process and in the development and reinforcement of skills.
The structured activities provided by this service emphasize the opportunity for young people to expand the skills and strategies necessary to move forward in meeting their personal, individualized life goals, develop self-advocacy skills, and to support their transition into adulthood.
Youth Peer Advocate job descriptions vary depending on the setting, but typically include working with young people to provide outreach, support, guidance, skill-building and mentoring.
Provide transportation for the child as required to carry out the goals and services of the child’s service plan.
Oversee the safety and well-being of the child.
Maintain and regularly compile data and documentation to be reviewed by supervisor as required.
Ensure positive and effective communication and cooperation within and between department, division, family and community personnel.
Ensure compliance with all pertinent government and agency regulations and operating standards.
Use a person-centered approach.
Adhere to all defined role responsibility and ethics as outlined by respective Certification Board for Peer Specialist or Advocate.