Coram, NY, 11727, USA
13 hours ago
Youth Peer Advocate - CFT019 - Mon-Fri 10am-6pm
Youth Peer Advocate - CFT019 - Mon-Fri 10am-6pm Job Details Job Location Coram - Coram, NY Position Type Full-Time Education Level High School Salary Range $18.00 - $18.00 Hourly Job Shift Day Job Description About WellLife Network: WellLife Network is a leading health and human services organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families across New York City and Long Island. Recognized as a 2023 top-rated nonprofit, WellLife Network empowers people to overcome life’s challenges and achieve greater independence, well-being, and inclusion. We offer a comprehensive suite of programs spanning mental health, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, housing, and employment support, all grounded in a commitment to compassionate, high-quality care. Central to our mission is an unwavering dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) within our organization and in the communities we serve. As a trusted community partner, WellLife Network fosters a nurturing environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and realize their fullest potential. Position Summary: Youth Peer Support and Training (YPST) services are formal and informal services and supports provided to youth, who are experiencing social, medical, emotional, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges in their home, school, placement, and/or community centered services. These services provide the training and support necessary to ensure engagement and active participation of the youth in the treatment planning process and with the ongoing implementation and reinforcement of skills. Services are delivered in a trauma informed, culturally and linguistically competent manner. The need for YPST must be determined by a licensed practitioner and included within a treatment plan. Youth Peer Support and Training activities must be intended to develop and achieve the identified goals and/or objectives as set forth in the youth’s individualized treatment plan. The structured, scheduled activities provided by this service emphasize the opportunity for the youth 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. Skill Building: + Developing skills for coping with and managing psychiatric symptoms, trauma, and substance use disorders + Developing skills for wellness, resiliency and recovery support + Developing skills to independently navigate the service system + Developing goal-setting skills + Building community living skills Coaching:Enhancing resiliency/recovery oriented attitudes, i.e., hope, confidence, and self-efficacy + Promoting wellness through modeling. + Providing mutual support, hope, reassurance and advocacy that include sharing one's own "personal recovery/resiliency story" as the Youth Peer Advocating (YPA) deems appropriate as beneficial to both the youth and themselves. YPA’s may also share their recovery with parents to engage parents and help them “see” youth possibilities for future in a new light. Engagement, Bridging, and Transition Support:Acting as a peer partner in transitioning to different levels of care and into adulthood; helping youth understand what to expect and how and why they should be active in developing their treatment plan and natural supports. Self-Advocacy, Self-Efficacy, & Empowerment: + Developing, linking, and facilitating the use of formal and informal services, including connection to peer support groups in the community + Serving as an advocate, mentor, or facilitator for resolution of issues + Assisting in navigating the service system including assisting with engagement and bridging during transitions in care + Helping youth develop self-advocacy skills (e.g., may attend a Committee on Preschool or Special Education meeting with the youth and parent, coaching the youth to articulate his educational goals). + Assisting youth with gaining and regaining the ability to make independent choices and assist youth in playing a proactive role in their own treatment (assisting/mentoring them in discussing questions or concerns about medications, diagnoses or treatment approaches with their treating clinician). The YPA guides the youth to effectively communicate their individual perspective to providers and families. + Assisting youth in developing skills to advocate for needed services and benefits and seeking to effectively resolve unmet needs. + Assisting youth in understanding their treatment plan and help to ensure the plan is person/family centered Community Connections and Natural Supports:Connecting youth to community resources and services. The YPA may accompany youth to appointments and meetings for the purpose of mentoring and support but not for the sole purpose of providing transportation for the youth. Helping youth develop a network for information and support from others who have been through similar experiences, including locating similar interest programs, peer-run programs, and support groups.'' OTHER RESPONSIBLITIES + Support youth in the identification and pursuit of personal interests through resources and connections. + Focus on the developmental stage of the youth and work with them towards achieving age appropriate developmental tasks. + Help the youth to identify current strengths and strategies for acquiring desired ones. + Demonstrate knowledge of childhood psychiatric disorders. + Demonstrate cultural competency, family driven, youth guided, strength based and trauma informed care. + Closely collaborate with the youth’s CPST and/or OLP worker. + Complete progress notes for each visit and phone call within 24 hours as it relates to treatment plan goals utilizing an Electronic Health Record. + Follow client’s treatment plan goals. + Conduct individual home/community visits. + Remaining aware and in compliance with allowable billable visit times (minimum of 15 min up to 2 hour a day for individual billing and minimum of 15 min up to 1.5 hour for group billing ). + Lead groups for youth who receive YPST, as scheduled and complying with 1:4 ratio. + Complete theMandated Reporter Training + Adhere to all confidentiality laws and guidelines. + Track all paperwork due dates and submit by assigned deadlines. + Recognize and report suspected and known child abuse. + Report any potential youth high risk behaviors/concerns to supervisor. + Maintain awareness of any incident reporting guidelines. + Schedule client visits and monitor weekly Direct Service Units + End each quarter at a minimum of 65% direct service units of hours worked, as well as end with an overall Annual percentage of at least 65% DSU. + Participate in supervisions as scheduled. + Submit weekly schedule to Supervisor (any changes to schedule must be reported to Supervisor as they occur). + Utilize Paycom to indicate accurate hours worked. + Track and submit mileage. + Participate in Division-wide trainings, staff events and program meeting. + Attend workshops, conferences, OMH trainings, etc. + Transport youth with agency vehicle and personal vehicle, as needed. + Responsible for having access to a personal vehicle throughout the course of the work day. + Submission of auto insurance policy before expiration date. + Adhere to protocols of agency Safety Policy. + Attendance and participation at the Family Bonds Retreat Weekend. + Other duties as assigned Qualifications YPST is delivered by a New York State Youth Peer Advocate Credential. To be eligible for the Youth Peer Advocate Professional Credential, an individual must: + Be an individual 18 to 30 years old who has self-identified as a person who has first-hand experience with social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges + Be able to use lived experience with a disability, mental illness, juvenile justice, special education, substance use disorder, and/or foster care to assist in supporting youth in their resiliency/recovery and wellness + At a minimum, have a high school diploma, high school equivalency preferred or a State Education Commencement Credential. This educational requirement can be waived by the certifying agency if the person has demonstrated competencies and has relevant life experience sufficient for the peer certification. + NYS Drivers License for 2 years Benefits and Perks: At WellLife Network, we prioritize our employees' growth and well-being with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, vision, and dental insurance, 401(k) matching, and flexible spending accounts. Enjoy perks like Summer Fridays, gym passes, and life insurance options. Our commitment to career advancement includes tuition assistance, mentorship, leadership training, and more. As a qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, WellLife Network supports your career and financial goals while helping you make a meaningful community impact. Join us to experience a workplace that invests in your success and well-being!
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