Idd Peer Mentor

Living Resources is committed to training and supporting effective Peer Mentors to others with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Peer mentors serve a vital role supporting others with disabilities to lead self-directed and more autonomous, satisfying lives. Having a diverse model of supports is important for a person to access quality programs and services.

Under the supervision of their manager, Peer mentors will fulfill the following duties:

• Understand the unique role of the Peer Mentor with specific attention to the expectations and commitment involved to become a Peer Mentor
• Have an opportunity to meet other participants who are interested in becoming Peer Mentors
• Know what to do to initiate and support an effective and successful Peer Mentor/peer relationship
• Have a clear understanding of the Peer Mentor internship process
• Support people with I/DD with informed decision making, accessing their resources and solution-finding opportunities
• Peer mentors will utilize both their training as a Peer Mentor as well as their personal, lived experiences to encourage skill building and access to resources for the mentees
• Peer mentors will guide mentees towards greater self-advocacy, responsibility, independence and empowerment by acting as a bridge to resources and people in the community
• Peer mentors will work with their manager to build a mentor caseload
• Peer mentors will not act as counselors, therapists or other supports that a mentee should be connected to

A successful Peer Mentor must:

Be at least 18 years old

• Have an intellectual/developmental disability
• Successfully complete the LRC Peer Mentor Training program
• Participate in all required LRC trainings annually and as needed/assigned
• Participate in the Self-Advocacy Group
• Be willing to share personal stories combined with general knowledge of services and supports
• Possess strong interpersonal skills, listening skills and communication skills
• Devote the necessary hours to the position during training and ongoing as a helpful
• peer
• Be willing to navigate transportation systems, and other systems of support with the menteeIdentify recreational and social opportunities

• Good interpersonal skills
• Able to work cooperatively with other staff and programs
• Employment experience is preferred, but not required
• Able to use email, phone, video call, and other general forms of technology for the purposes of communication