Northern Rivers Family Services

As a Youth Peer Advocate, you will amplify the youth's voices and choices. You will provide support and advocacy for young people enrolled in the OMH Community Residence: Miriam House and the Residential Treatment Facility. You will work parallel to the Family Peer Advocate and support the youth in their recovery to return to their home communities.

You will work with youth in many settings which include: home, school, and community. You will inspire hope and offer support to the youth and help communicate with others, advocate for their needs, build on strengths to achieve their goals, provide role modeling and coaching and self-care. You will work closely with the youth, the family, and both internal and external treatment team members. You will report to the Program Coordinator at the Miriam House and work onsite with community-based travel.

Responsibilities:

• Assist youth in advocating for service needs and benefits
• Assist youth in unmet needs
• Advocate by being the voice for the youth and represent the youth in meetings related to and about the youth
• Empower youth by sharing your own lived experience
• Advocate, especially in the absence of the youth, for youth and keep in mind the youth when plans are being discussed or established
• Engage the youth through outreach and support
• Empower youth through education
• Promote wellness through modeling and coaching
• Provide mutual support, hope, and reassurance which includes your own personal recovery story as the you deem appropriate and beneficial and share your recovery with the parents/caregivers as a means to engage them
• Connect the youth to community resources and services.
• Accompany youth to appointments and meetings
• Support youth to develop networks of support
• Help youth develop self-advocacy skills
• Maintain all documentation and tracking promptly
• Attend regular supervision, staff meetings, and other meetings
• Follow the team philosophy/approach in working with youth, families, and staff
• Follow agency Compliance Plan and Code of Conduct

Requirements and Education:

• A High School Diploma or GED required
• A valid NYS Driver's License required
• Certification as a NY State Peer Specialist/Peer Advocate required

Benefits

• Health care package: medical, dental, and vision
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Holiday Pay
• 401 (K) plan
• Life Insurance
• Loan repayment assistance
• Free training/CEU opportunities

Northern Rivers Family of Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. We cherish the unique contributions of our diverse staff and are building a culture where everyone has the opportunity to do the meaningful work.

Northern Rivers Family Services is committed to keeping a safe and healthy working environment for all employees and the clients we serve. As an employee of Northern Rivers Family Services, you will be expected to perform your job in the safest possible manner and to acknowledge that safety is an important part of everyday performance. As an employee of Northern Rivers Family Services, you will adhere to all safety procedures and take part in safety program activities.