Youth ACT Youth Peer Advocate NEW

Hope for Youth•Bay Shore, NY

About The Position

Looking for an exciting and meaningful career helping youth and families across Long Island? Come join Hope For Youth in our new Youth Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team as a Youth Peer Advocate ! For more than 50 years, Hope For Youth has provided services for children, youth and families, spanning a continuum of care from out-patient, clinical and preventive services, to foster care, diagnostic and emergency residential services. The organization works with children as young as birth through 21 across the Long Island region. We are also honored to announce that the Hauppauge Industrial Association of Long Island (HIA-LI), an advocate for its member organizations since 1978, has recognized HFY as their Not-For Profit Business Award honoree for Excellence in 2025! Youth Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is a program licensed by the NY State Office of Mental Health and designed to address the significant needs of children ages 10 up to 21, who are at risk of entering, or are returning home from high intensity services, such as inpatient settings or residential services, using a multi-disciplinary team. Children with significant psychiatric needs, who are at risk of institutional level of care, require intensive interventions to adequately support the child and family's complex needs, to avoid high end services or facilitate and support a successful transition back to community. What is a YPA: Youth Peer Advocates (YPA) are individuals aged 18-30 years old, who self-identify as a person who has first hand experience with mental health and/or co-occurring behavioral health challenges. Peer advocates are in a unique position to serve role models, educate recipients about self help techniques and self help group processes, teach effective coping strategies based on personal lived experience and teach symptom management skills.

Requirements

Youth Peer Advocate Credential with one year experience
Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite, and experience working with EHRs.
Highschool Diploma or GED
Valid NYS driver's license in good standing
Physical Requirements: read/write reports and log entries, walking/standing/sitting for prolonged periods, bending/stooping, kneeling/squatting, climbing stairs, reaching overhead, repetitive wrist/finger movements, driving own vehicle

Responsibilities

Function within the policies and procedures as outlined in program practice guide and employee manual
Adhere to state regulations and applicable code of conduct
Work within an interdisciplinary team to assist client in their overall functioning and achieve desired outcomes
Provide rehabilitative support services through an array of formal and non-formal services to the parent, family member or caregiver for the benefit of the child/youth.
Offer support necessary to ensure engagement and active participation of the youth in the treatment planning process and the ongoing implementation and reinforcement of skills
Engage youth in services that provides the opportunity for the youth to expand their 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
Attend trainings and professional development as assigned
Attend daily team meetings and family meetings as assigned
Provide transportation for client to their service location as necessary
Perform other resulting and necessary work to meet the needs and requirements of the clients, the program, Hope For Youth, oversight agency and any other regulatory obligations

Benefits

Meaningful work that makes a difference in the lives of children and families of Long Island!
Supportive like-minded, mission-driven co-workers
Diverse Culture that promotes recognition and belonging
Advancement and supplemental pay opportunities
Free Training programs, Free Tuition Credits, Scholarships and Tuition Assistance
Employees may be eligible for Student Loan Forgiveness Programs
Special Events and Recognition Awards
Volunteer and Internship opportunities available within
Benefit eligibility commences on the first of the month following the first 30 days of employment – Medical, Dental, Vision - HRA with HSA and Co-pay options available.
91% Employer-paid medical premiums
Generous paid time off
Agency-funded Pension Plan
Pre-tax savings plans: self-directed 403(b), 529, Aflac
Agency-paid life insurance and disability, and for some positions, long-term disability