Young Adult Peer Mentor

Overview

Summary: The Youth and Young Adult (YYA) Access Center (AC) Young Adult Peer Mentor (YAPM) is a young adult who supports YYA to engage in services, supports, and community activities; promotes YYA self-determination; and supports a shift in decision‑making to the YYA. YAPMs help YYA through life transitions such as educational/vocational pursuits, relationship changes, getting housing, and other aspects of transition to adult roles, aligning with each YYA’s goals. The AC YAPM is essential in welcoming new YYA to services and to the activities offered at the AC, and offers ongoing engagement and support to YYA.

Responsibilities

Job Duties and Responsibilities: The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to the information listed below:

• Works with the YYA (if chosen) to enhance skills of self‑direction and empowerment.
• Shares personal experiences; provide non‑directive support, coaching, and modeling to support and improve engagement in services and assist with identifying and accessing existing and new services, service providers, and recovery tools and resources.
• Provides individual 1:1 peer mentoring to 5‑10 YYA. Uses the Young Adult Peer Mentoring Practice Profile to define role.
• Provides the core staffing for the AC and engages YYA during drop‑in hours. Staffs activities and events held by the AC, supporting the full participation of YYA.
• Works collaboratively with TIP Facilitators and other AC staff to welcome YYA "dropping in," offer peer support, and orient to services available at the AC.
• Facilitates a regular schedule of peer support groups that address topics relevant to YYA while fostering a non‑judgemental, open, and mutual environment.
• Assists Peer Leadership Coordinator (PLC) and collaborates with other AC staff to recruit for and support the YA Leadership Council.
• Supports PLC and collaborates with other AC staff to plan events and training opportunities for the AC staff, YYA, and the community‑at‑large based on identified needs of the YYA at the AC and the communities served.
• Provides outreach and marketing efforts to educate YYA and other stakeholders in the community about the program and services, including by reaching out directly, creating and distributing marketing materials, and collaborating with other AC staff.
• Attends community events and activities to engage with YYA and explain the benefits and supports available to YYA at the ACs.
• Assists the AC leadership, clinician, and TIP Facilitator staff with the identification and accessing of existing and new services and service providers that will benefit the YYA.
• Helps the YYA to develop supportive relationships and community connections.
• Promotes the development of healthy lifestyles and wellness practices, including addressing substance use.
• Supports the YYA in the development of self‑sufficiency and positive employment behaviors.
• Helps the YYA to identify their needs and goals relating to education, employment, family relationships, spirituality, and social recreation, and ensure they are integrated in their service planning.
• Helps YYA in communicating and working effectively with service providers, employers, natural supports, family members, and others to achieve their goals.
• Helps YYA in developing life skills, finding their voice and identifying and using their strengths.
• Uses Gathering and Inspiring Future Talent, Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), motivational interviewing, harm reduction, and other evidence informed/based and best practice models, as trained.
• Promotes discovery and recovery as they use their own lived experience in a purposeful, strengths‑based way to support YYA.
• Inspires hope and future focus in YYA.
• Attends in‑service trainings and staff meetings.
• Helps YYA develop self‑advocacy skills, in groups or individually.
• Serves as a bridge between the child/young adult‑serving mental health service systems on behalf of the YYA.
• Helps maximize choices available to YYA as well as their self‑determination, and participation and decision‑making in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of their services.
• Models effective coping techniques and self‑help strategies.
• Provides crisis intervention, when needed.
• Works collaboratively as a cohesive unit with all other AC staff, both within the AC and collaboratively with other area ACs, to deliver services under the leadership of the AC Program Director (PD).
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

About Vinfen

Why Vinfen? We are committed to you! We offer great training, great benefits, career growth and job security!

About Us:

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a leading provider of community‑based services to individuals with mental health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and behavioral health challenges. Our services and advocacy promote the recovery, resiliency, habilitation, and self‑determination of the people we serve. Vinfen's 3,500 dedicated employees are experienced, highly‑trained professionals who provide a full range of supportive living, health, educational, and clinical services in over 550 sites throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. For more information about Vinfen, please visit

My Job. My Community. My Vinfen.

Vinfen is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Skills:

• Competent in the use of the Young Adult Peer Mentoring Practice Profile
• Knowledge of both the DMH Child Youth and Family and Adult services systems
• Ability to assist YYA in participating in service planning to meet YYA expressed goals
• Skilled in mediation and conflict resolution
• Willing to use and share their personal, practical experience of recovery process, wellness management, and the personal effort and commitment required for YYA to have a full and satisfying life in the community
• Strong commitments to the right and ability of people served to live, work, have meaningful relationships, and receive the resources and supports needed in their community of choice
• Knowledge of person‑centered, strengths‑based, recovery‑oriented values, principles, and modalities
• Knowledge of Peer Support practices and ethical standards
• Ability to learn and use evidence‑based approaches
• Ability to create and maintain supportive, trusting relationships with YYA served by the AC
• Commitment to maintain confidentiality of YYA
• Knowledge of engagement and participatory planning techniques
• Sensitivity to the cultural, religious, ethnic, disability, and gender/gender identity differences of YYA
• Knowledge of advocacy techniques
• Respect for and knowledge of legal, civil, and human rights of YYA
• Knowledge of community resources, supports, and services
• Ability to work independently as well as a part of a team
• Ability to use crisis intervention techniques and relapse prevention techniques
• Ability to balance competing priorities
• Ability to make independent judgments and decisions
• Knowledge of personal computer applications and equipment

Typical Requirements:

• Personal, first‑hand experience (not just having a friend or family member) being a recipient of the mental health system, which encompasses experiences such as psychiatric inpatient hospitalization, outpatient services/therapy, experience with psychiatric medications, and/or participating in mental health groups in the community. While a formal mental health diagnosis is not required, your involvement with mental health services must be related to your experience with mental health, emotional health and/or trauma resulting in significant life disruption.
• Must become a Certified Peer Specialist OR complete the "Core Elements of Young Adult Peer Mentoring" training within 6 months of hire. Must become a Certified Peer Specialist within 1 year of hire.
• One year of experience working with YYA.
• Bi-lingual/bi-cultural applicants encouraged to apply.

Preferred /Required Education: A high school diploma or equivalent is required; Bachelor’s degree in a human services discipline preferred. In some cases, experience may be substituted for academic training.

Driving Requirements: Driving is a requirement of this position. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least one year, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check. Must maintain a safe driving record, which is subject to annual checks. If using a personal vehicle, must possess and maintain adequate insurance.

Physical Effort: Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position. Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two‑person lift. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as calculator, copier, and printer. Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways. Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living. Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Required Certifications:

• CPR required within two weeks of hire
• First Aid required within two weeks of hire
• NET required

Required Credentials/Licenses: Certified Peer Specialist credential required within 12 months of hire

Pay Range

USD $21.21 - USD $21.21 /Hr.