MCC Youth Peer Mentor

The Wellspring; Monroe (LA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wellspring in Monroe, LA seeks a Peer Support Staff to promote youth voice in programs and lead regional youth advisory activities. The role includes facilitating focus groups and supporting administrative reviews with youth-centered approaches.

Ideal candidates have firsthand child welfare experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to coordinate with diverse communities, offering flexible in-person or remote options as needed.

Qualifications

• Firsthand experience in the child welfare system.
• Flexibility to work non-traditional business hours.
• Knowledge of community, job, financial, and social resources.
• Demonstrates ability to partner with youth using a strengths-based approach.
• Preference given to candidates reflecting the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic status of the neighborhoods served.
• Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and meet state required automobile insurance minimums.

Responsibilities

• Participate in up to 15 Administrative Reviews a month or as many as possible.
• Lead Youth Advisory Boards, including recruitment of youth and coordinating activities and training.
• Coordinate and lead Quarterly Youth Focus Groups with written feedback.
• Assist with Life Skills training for youth in foster care or eligible age groups.
• Provide peer mentoring and explain case plans, court expectations, services, and accompany families to court and meetings.
• Offer flexible support options (in-person, virtual, or phone-based) based on youth preferences.

Skills

Cultural sensitivity

Verbal communication

Written communication

Active listening

Customer service

Teamwork

Time management

Confidentiality

Non-judgmental

Case coordination

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Purpose: The role of the Peer Support Staff is to promote the inclusion of youth voice in
youth programing; lead regional youth advisory board; lead quarterly regional focus groups and

participate in Administrative Reviews.

Experience and Knowledge

• Firsthand experience in the child welfare system
• Flexibility to work non-traditional business hours
• Knowledge of community, job, financial, and social resources
• Demonstrates ability to partner with youth using a strengths-based approach
• Preference will be given to candidates who most reflect the racial, ethnic, and socioeconomicstatus of the majority of members of the neighborhoods being served
• Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and meet state required automobileinsurance minimums

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate with, be sensitive to the needs of, and develop and maintainrelationships with individuals from various cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external customers in a professional,tactful, and friendly manner
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to record with clarityand promptness
• Good listening skills and the ability to ask appropriate questions
• Maintains poise and self-control even under extreme stress and unexpected crises; handlesdelicate situations tactfully
• Appropriately assertive even in difficult situations
• Must demonstrate mature and objective, non-judgmental behaviors
• Ability to assess situations both within and outside the client system and determinepriorities
• Maintains positive work relationships with other staff, is cooperative and promotesteamwork
• Effective in planning and arranging work responsibilities including determining priorities,managing multiple projects, handling deadlines and changes in priorities
• Ability to identify and use community resources
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, Excel and Power Point
• Maintains personal appearance consistent with agency image
• Ability to work within the purpose, structure and constraints of the Agency and to makesuggestions for change in a responsible manner
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with regard to clients and agency business
• Commitment to continued professional growth

Core Values of Staff

• Service: I act with a servant’s heart to contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing ofothers.
• Teamwork: I willingly help my teammates.
• Respect: I recognize the dignity, worth and importance of others.
• Open-hearted: I am kind, caring and compassionate.
• iNtegrity: I am honest and ethical in all that I do.
• Growth: I embrace challenges and change with a positive attitude.

Job Related Training Courses & Programs

• Orientation
• Initial 40 hours Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault as required by Wellspring
• Initial and ongoing MCC training in the areas of protective factors that promote childwellbeing, individual and community level trauma and its impact, best practices in preventing child
  abuse and neglect, and disparities and disproportionalities in public systems
• Trust-Based Relational Intervention® and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) training
• 40 hours continuing education yearly
• On-going in-service workshops, conferences and self-study
• Monthly Agency Staff meetings, program delivery meetings and program area meetings

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Delivers services by
   • Participate in up to 15 Administrative Reviews a month or as many as possible.
   • Take notes during each review and send to the AR Coordinator
   • Offer suggestions and/or resources to the young adult when needed
   • Follow-up with youth to provide support regarding resources when needed
   • Provide feedback when needed during review
   • Develop and lead Youth Advisory Boards, to include recruitment of youth, coordinating activitiesand training opportunities to enhance youth voice and practice.
   • Meet with the statewide Youth Advisory Board as needed to discuss ideas, concerns, and progressreports from regional youth input that they have obtained.
   • Coordinate and Lead Quarterly Youth Focus Groups, to include written summaries offeedback.
   • Assist with the facilitation of Life Skills training to youth in DCFS foster homes 14-17 oryouth 18-21 not enrolled in EFC.
   • Providing peer mentoring to support youth involved in the child welfare foster care system,explaining case plans, court expectations, available services and accompanying families to court,family team meetings, etc...
   • Offering flexible support options (in-person, virtual, or phone-based) based on the youth’spreference and accessibility needs
   • Demonstrating a positive attitude through word and action
   • Demonstrating concern and respect for others by listening carefully and withoutjudgment
   • Establishing personal rapport with clients
   • Maintaining case records by documenting client activity and actions
   • Tracking and reporting required MCC qualitative and quantitative data