Youth Peer Advocate

The Youth Peer Advocate is responsible for providing Youth Peer Support and Training Services to youth who experience social, emotional, developmental, medical, substance abuse, and/or behavioral challenges in their home, school, placement, and/or community. The Youth Peer Advocate will function as a member of a triad team including a Family Peer Advocate and a High-Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) Care Manager. Full-time. Travel between locations in the Capital District/Troy area required.

• →Work closely in collaboration with the other members of the triad team.
• →Engage the child/family to begin the partnership and connection to service delivery.
• →Conduct youth assessments to determine youth strengths and needs to inform the child’s CANS-NY and comprehensive assessment.
• →Assist the youth in carrying out specific tasks to meet the youth’s plan of care goals.
• →Provide Service components including:

• →
  • →Skill Attainment Assistance and Skill Building.
  • →Coaching.
  • →Self-Advocacy, Self-Efficacy and Empowerment.
  • →Engagement, Bridging, and Transition Support.
  • →Community Connections and Natural Supports. 

• →Demonstrate qualities of leadership:

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  • →Knowledge of advocacy.
  • →Group development and/or facilitation of peer-to- peer groups or activities.
• →Participate in regularly scheduled supervision.
• →Perform all reasonable, related duties as assigned.

• Must be between the ages of 18 and 30.
• Self-identify as having personal experience with mental health, juvenile justice, special education, or foster care and/or is in recovery from substance abuse.
• Use lived experience to assist in supporting youth in their resiliency/recovery wellness.
• High School Diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Completed or be able to complete Youth Peer Advocate required training and credentialing.
• Must have valid NYS Driver's license and clean MVR. May be required to complete an online Defensive Driving course.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Demonstrate active listening skills.
• Ability to facilitate meetings with a large number of participants.
• Ability and willingness to share personal knowledge and experience with youth-serving systems.
• Comfortable making home visits and working with a broadly diverse population.
• Knowledge of basic computing systems such as Outlook, Word, Excel, and the ability to learn and navigate proprietary systems.

• Must be available to work a 40-hour work week.
• Must be able to lift 25 pounds.
• Requires sitting for long periods of time, as well as: standing, stooping, squatting, kneeling, and climbing stairs.
• Use of hands and fingers to execute daily tasks
• Must be able to stand and run for moderate periods of time.
• Must be able to perform restraints and maintain TCI certification.
• Willingness to respond to the needs of a culturally 

Compensation: $20-$22 an hour based on education.

Vanderheyden is committed to the National Sanctuary Model - a blueprint for clinical and organizational change which, at its core, promotes safety and recovery from adversity through the active creation of a trauma-informed community.  The Sanctuary Model's focus is not only on the people who seek services, but equally on the people and systems that provide those served.

 Vanderheyden, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of gender, race or ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, military or marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, prior arrest or conviction record or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.