Youth Peer Advocate ( YPA )

Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) at Sunshine Care Network

Join our team at Sunshine Care Network in Brooklyn, NY and make a difference in the lives of youth in need through out NY state. As a Youth Peer Advocate, you will have the opportunity to provide support, guidance, and advocacy to young individuals expeiencing similiar struggles as you have.. At Sunshine Care Network, we are committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all our clients, and we are looking for a dedicated individual to join us in this mission.

Sunshine Care Network, a division of Clinical Staffing Resources, is seeking Youth Peer Advocates for work in the five boroughs of NY as well as Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties

Part-time (20-25 hours per week) after school, nights and weekends required,

Hourly position $20-$25 per hour depending on experience and case load

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) is a young adult who self-identifies as having experience with social, emotional, or behavioral health challenges as a young person, and/or has received services in any one of the child-serving systems (juvenile justice, foster care, special education, or addiction recovery).

YPAs use their “lived experience” to promote resiliency, recovery, wellness, and self-efficacy in young people, and support the practice of youth-guided and family-driven approaches. The Youth Peer Advocate position is community-based. Services are delivered in a variety of settings that meet the young person’s individual needs and schedule.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

 • Establish structured, strength-based, supportive relationships with youth and their families for the benefit of the young person. Meet youth in the office, at home or in the community as requested;

• Connect youth to community resources and services;

• Provide mutual support, hope, reassurance and advocacy which includes sharing one’s own “personal recovery/resiliency story” as appropriate;

• Facilitate meetings as needed and serve as an advocate and mentor;

• Assist in navigating the service system, including engagement and bridging during transitions in care and developing skills to independently navigate services;

 • Using an electronic database, document demographic data on all individuals seen, track all services provided and monitor progress towards identified goals;

 • Complete all documentation in compliance with agency policy and funding regulations in a timely fashion. This includes, but is not limited to case records, time sheets, mileage forms and expense reports;

• Participate in all agency quality improvement activities.

MUST-HAVE:

High school diploma plus two years’ experience working directly with children and youth. Be between the ages of 18-30 years old.

Lived-experience with social, emotional, or behavioral health challenges as a young person, and/or have received services in any one of the child-serving systems (juvenile justice, foster care, special education, or addiction recovery).

  Good verbal, written and computer skills.

Be able to complete the Youth Peer Advocate certification process within one year of hire.

Valid NYS driver's license, safe driving history, and access to a vehicle that is properly insured and registered in accordance with NYS DMV regulations.

Satisfactory clearances from the Child Abuse Registry and Criminal History Information Tracking System.

Ability to work with diverse social, cultural, and economic groups; bilingual candidates encouraged.

Flexible schedule.