Peer Advocate Youth Engagement Specialist

About the role

The Peer Advocate and Youth Engagement Specialist assists the people we serve by teaching them independent living skills, helping to secure services and resources, and encouraging personal empowerment and self-determination. You'll also assist families and professionals in securing resources and services that meet the needs of transitional aged youth (18-25).

Responsibilities

• Maintain a current and working knowledge of systems, issues and legislation at both a local and statewide level which affect the persons we serve, this includes but is not limited to Social Security Benefits, Dept. of Social Services, Mental Hygiene Law, Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as Independent Living philosophy.
• Network with mental health providers and community support services to maintain an integrated support system for young adults with psychiatric disabilities.
• Absorb and share ideas and experiences about living with a disability in order to gain greater awareness and control over one’s own life.
• Teach independent living skills that help people become self-sufficient in areas such as housing, travel transportation, personal self-management, employment, financial management and self-advocacy.
• Provide information and referral services with resources and options that are necessary in making informed choices about living, learning, and working independently. Encourage independence and autonomy by offering information, experiences and opportunities to make informed choices.
• Provide individual and systems advocacy to address access to equal opportunities in exercising social, economic, educational, and legal rights. Work with individuals, community organizations, state/national networks; to promote full inclusion of people with disabilities, and to improve the implementation of existing laws: federal, state, and local.
• Offer employment readiness services to support consumers in their efforts to prepare to enter or re-enter the workforce (i.e. help with preparing resumes and completing job applications).
• Complete all reporting and record keeping as required.
• Attend and actively participate in all meetings and training sessions provided by the agency.
• Provides screening, navigation, and care coordination through the Social Care Network, connecting individuals to appropriate services and documenting outcomes.
• Actively contribute to the Emerging Adults Committee, supporting initiatives and cross-agency collaboration

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must complete approved advocacy training programs within the first six months of employment.
• Personal “lived” experience within the foster care system.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize the need for and facilitate connections between consumers and IL and other disability related services.
• Knowledge of local, statewide and national disability related issues and community dynamics.
• Excellent written and verbal presentation skills.
• Must have good time management skills and be self-directing, especially if there is any downtime.
• Must possess an unrestricted valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services plus two years of advocacy experience preferred.
• Experience as a “peer” and a working knowledge of the mental health system and recovery process (including but not limited to 12 step programs, Self Help and other alternative methods) are preferred.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) capabilities a plus.
• Knowledge of ASL also desirable.

Skills

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

Benefits

• Paid holidays from the first day of employment
• Paid lunch break
• Paid time off
• 401(k) with company match
• Health, Dental and Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company provided Life, AD&D and Short- and Long-Term disability insurance
• Voluntary insurances including Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity