Young Adult Peer Mentor- YCCS-Youth Community Crisis Stabilization

The Youth Community Crisis Stabilization (YCCS) Young Adult Peer Mentor, based in Walpole, MA, will use their lived experience coping with behavioral health, to provide peer-to-peer education, support, mentor and engage youth who are referred to the YCCS program. Young Adult Peer Mentor will primarily be responsible for providing supportive services to youth by sharing their lived experience with purpose and intent to engage therapeutically and to support the development of self-efficacy in management of symptoms. The Young Adult Peer Mentor is expected to be knowledgeable of the program’s mission, treatment philosophy, and policies and procedures and to implement this understanding in their work.

How You'll Be Making a Difference

• Knowledge and application of program routines and structure. Maintain a general understanding of the population of youths with whom we work.
• Create a comfortable and welcoming environment in which youth and family are respected and valued.
• Share personal lived experiences with and engage youth in order to support their treatment goals and to offer short term support that may include active listening, finding their voice and envisioning their future.
• Provide hope, encouragement, information, and support to youth during their behavioral and mental health crisis and after.
• Offer life skill building and coping skill building which may include one-to-one instruction and leading/co-leading small groups.
• Participate in the assessment process by collecting current and historical family information with a focus on understanding the youth’s relationships.
• Facilitate/co-facilitate recreational groups and wellness activities such as physical exercise, nutrition, yoga, meditation and mindfulness.
• Provide opportunities for and supervise phone/virtual interactions between youth and approved contacts as appropriate.
• Work with youth to identify, understand, and plan for the strengths and needs of the youth by integrating their voice in decision making about services.
• Assist in collaborating and coordinating with the youth’s treatment providers.
• Attend family therapy sessions, and other meetings as needed to provide support to the youth, parents, caregivers, and family members.
• Foster healthy, appropriate relationships with our youths through daily interactions.
• Provide a therapeutic milieu environment for youths, maintaining a safe and healthy environment; meet the physical and emotional needs of youths.
• May plan and participate in activities with youths on an individual and small group level accordance with treatment plans and goals. Teach age appropriate life skills and social skills through modeling, counseling, and other techniques. Participate in groups and activities designed to enhance growth and development
• Provide First Aid appropriately as needed.
• Provide group and individual behavior support and intervention as trained, including the use of TCI appropriate physical restraint as necessary. Report and or coordinate medical and emergency situations to RN/LPN and supervisors on shift.
• Communicate through written documentation and verbal means with other program staff on positive skills and accomplishments as well as difficult or challenging youth issues.
• Complete all assigned paperwork including time sheet, incident reporting, required logs, shift notes and 51A’s in a thorough and timely manner.
• Attend all required meetings as necessary.
• Actively participate in supervision with supervisors and any required. training/professional development opportunities.
• Interact with all coworkers in a professional and respectful manner.
• Interact with all families, collaterals in youths in a professional, respectful, and appropriate way.

Qualifications

• High school diploma
• One year child care experience in a residential setting with similar population of youths
• Computer literate, including Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer, with the ability to learn new software applications
• Must have lived, personal experience in coping with behavioral health, mental health, substance use disorder and/or co-occurring disorders.
• Must be willing to share their lived experience with purpose and intent to support brief interventions that address a youth’s behavior and safety.
• An ability to communicate with the youth in a manner which promotes their growth, human rights, and integration into the community.
• Complete the Six Core Elements of Young Adult Peer Mentoring within the first six months of hire.

What The Home Can Offer You

In addition to the chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of the youth we serve, The Home for Little Wanderers offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Generous time off including up to 20 days per year for new full-time employees, plus 11 holidays, 5 sick days, and 2 personal days
• Health and Dental Insurance that is effective immediately upon hire
• Extensive training to new staff
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $2,400 per fiscal year
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer match
• Employer paid Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance, plus Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• And more!

Valuing Diversity

We are committed to excellence in diversity, equity, and inclusion, while simultaneously creating a culture that supports those values. We believe the differences we bring enhance our ability to provide exceptional service and care to diverse children, families, and communities. Moreover, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging align with our values and our mission to help vulnerable children and their families build permanent, positive change.