The Mental Health Association of Westchester (MHA) is a community-based not-for-profit committed to recovery-focused mental health services through advocacy, community education and direct services.  We are recognized as the leader in Westchester in providing person-centered services that involve collaborating with each individual to achieve his or her goals.   

MHA facilitates recovery by providing services that reflect our deeply held values that include the recognition of individual rights of self-determination, choice, shared decision-making and collaborative work. Our highly trained staff utilize evidence-based practices throughout our comprehensive array of trauma-informed and recovery-oriented services.  

Through our robust services, as well as our advocacy programs and community events, MHA is able to meet the needs of thousands of men, women, children and families each year, helping them live independent lives in the community.

Join Our Team! We have an exciting new opportunity for Youth Peer Advocate in our Youth ACT Program located in Westchester County.

The Youth ACT Team serves children/youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), who are returning home from inpatient settings or residential services, at risk of entering such settings, or have not adequately engaged or responded to treatment in more traditional community-based services. Youth ACT team delivers intensive, highly coordinated, individualized services and skilled therapeutic interventions through an integrated, multi-disciplinary team approach to better achieve success and maintain the child in the home, school and community. 
 
SUMMARY of DUTIES
The Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) is a Youth ACT Team member, aged 18 to 30 years old, who self-identifies as a person who has first-hand experience with mental health and/or co-occurring behavioral health challenges. Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) services are formal and informal services and supports provided to Youth ACT Team clients who are experiencing social, medical, emotional, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges in their home, school, placement, and/or community. These services provide the support necessary to ensure engagement and active participation of the youth in the treatment planning process and support the ongoing implementation and reinforcement of skills. Services are delivered in a trauma informed, culturally and linguistically competent manner. Services offer positive youth development-centered services with a resiliency/recovery focus. The YPA will promote skills for coping and managing psychiatric symptoms and will facilitate the use of natural and community supports and resources.  In addition, the YPA will promote wellness through modeling and will assist with gaining and regaining the ability to make independent choices and playing a proactive role in their own treatment. 
The YPA will support recovery by providing services that reflect our deeply held values that include the recognition of individual rights of self-determination, choice, shared decision-making and collaboration.  When possible, the Youth Peer Advocate will utilize evidence-based practices; always embracing a trauma-informed and person-centered approach.

SPECIFIC DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES
1.    Engage the youth in a variety of strategies to work toward identified goals, including but not limited to: strengthening problem solving skills; providing mentoring; engaging in community resource exploration; and providing life skills support
2.    Document client progress and maintain a permanent record of client activity according to established methods and procedures
3.    Practice with a person-centered, trauma informed philosophy in alignment with the values of MHA
4.    Help to shape the team’s culture to one that promotes person-centered, recovery-focused, strengths-based service delivery.
5.    Assist in engagement and retention activities to promote optimum involvement with the team, including helping team to maintain a youth-focused, recovery-oriented approach.
6.    Maintain appropriate professional standards
7.    Responsible for adhering to all standards and guidelines established by applicable regulatory authorities.
8.    Participate in daily morning team meetings.
9.    Follows the established agency policies and maintains appropriate professional standards.   
10.    Due to the nature of the position, ability to work a flexible schedule is desired.
11.    Other designated and related duties.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS
1.    Knowledge of the signs of psychiatric crises, peer engagement skills, de-escalation techniques.
2.    The YPA should have a demonstrated ability to relate well to children/youth and young adults.  
3.    Familiarity with and ability to use an Electronic Health Record system.
4.    Experience understanding family systems based on diversity of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. 
5.    Highly organized, detail oriented, and self-motivated.

QUALIFICATIONS
1.    The Youth Peer Advocate must have a high school diploma, high school equivalency, or a State Education Commencement Credential (SACC or CDOS)
2.    Must be an individual 18 to 30 years old who has self-identified as a consumer of mental health services and/or co-occurring behavioral health challenges.
3.    Must be eligible for the Youth Peer Advocate Provisional Credential and be willing to participate in the training toward Youth Peer Advocate Professional Credential within required timeframes.
4.    Basic computer knowledge is required.
5.    Must be reliable and able to work independently and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality.  
6.    Must have a valid Driver’s License and a driving record that is satisfactory to our insurance carrier.
7.    Must be and maintain clearance through the NYS Justice Center through fingerprinting for a Criminal History Records search. 
8.    Must be and maintain clearance by the DCJS New York State Sex Offender Registry.
9.    Must be and maintain clearance by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs Staff Exclusion List (SEL) and the New York State Medicaid Exclusion List. 
10.    Must be and maintain clearance by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) for instances of child abuse and/or neglect. 
11.    Must be legally eligible to work in the United States.   

MHA of Westchester is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to cultural competency, diversity, and inclusion and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by the applicable law.

To apply, please send your cover letter and résumé by e-mail to employment@mhawestchester.org with "Youth Peer Advocate" as the subject line of the e-mail. Thank you.