Youth Peer Advocate

Position Summary

The Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) provides critical support services to youth who are experiencing social, emotional, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges. Candidates must be between the 18 and 30 years of age and self-identify as a person who has first-hand experience with social, emotional, medical developmental, substance use, experience in the juvenile justice system, special education and /or foster care. The position will be an essential member of the FYPS Program and will be based at the PHS SRH Centers.

Specifically, the Youth Peer Advocate will:

· Will carry a caseload of 85 unduplicated children and youth annually.

· Will assist youth with identifying needs, strengths, challenges, and goal and develop individualized care plans (ICP).

· Facilitate groups and hold individual one-on-one peer support sessions focusing on engagement, bridging and transition support to help increase participants’ strengths to navigate systems and better respond to caregiver.

· Provide Youth with the tools needed in order to learn how to self-advocate and manage systems.

· Encourage and support the youth involvement in their treatment plan and use of community resources.

· Coach and Model shared decision-making and skills to support collaborations.

· Accompany youth and families to meeting and appointments as needed.

· Support and encourage family and youth participation in community, regional state, national activities to develop their leadership skills. Encourage civic stewardship.

· Provide groups and workshops on Youth Skill Development and teaching youth how to learn and practices strategies that encourage positive behavior.

· Provide education on wellness and resiliency.

· Encourage youth to stay in school, and the importance of an education. Attend school meetings as needed.

· Connect youth to support systems within their own community.

· Conduct outreach and participate in community events.

· Help youth to improve social skills and become more involved in leisure and recreational activities as well as connect them to faith-based institutions and cultural activities and organizations.

· Make referrals for needed services and additional supports as needed.

· Will help develop clients’ support systems and integrate them into community services.

· Document and report on all outcomes and goals of the program Supervisor and Alliance Coordinator.

· Participate in community level committees/forums to represent the youth's perspective and influence policy.

.Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

· Must have a minimum of a High-School degree or GED.

· Two years of relevant experience and be a Certified Peer Leader within 18 months of hire.

· Must be between the 18 and 30 years of age and have self-identifies as a person who has first-hand experience with social, emotional, medical developmental, substance use, experience in the juvenile justice system, special education and /or foster care.

· Computer proficient.

· Bilingual preferred.

.Salary: $41, 241.00- $41,241.00.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Work Schedule.
• Generous Paid Time Off and Holidays.
• An attractive and comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental and Vision.
• Flexible Spending Accounts and Commuter Benefits.
• Company Paid Life Insurance and Disability Coverage.
• 403 (b) + employer matching and discretionary company contributions.
• College Savings Plan.
• Ongoing trainings and continuous opportunities for professional growth and development.

Reporting Relationships

· Reports to Lead Social Worker.

· This is a team-based position and will require extensive and on-going collaboration with the Lead Social Worker and the FYPS Family Peer Advocate.

· The YPA will also work in partnership with the PHS SRH Centers administration.

Hours of Operation Flexible

· 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday with at least one evening until 8PM, some Saturdays and Holidays.

At PHS, we place immense value on diversity within our teams, understanding that varied backgrounds and experiences significantly enhance our community and propel us toward our goals. If you find you don’t have experience in all the areas listed above, we still encourage you to apply and share your background and experiences in your application. We are eager to discover how your unique perspective can bring positive transformations to our team and help advance our mission of creating healthier, more equitable communities. We look forward to learning more about you!

PHS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals, and veterans.