Youth Peer Support & Advocacy Specialist

Henderson Economic Development; Henderson (KY); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The PORT drop-in center in Henderson, KY seeks a Youth Peer Support Specialist for Transition Aged Youth to serve as a role model and advocate for youth. The role emphasizes lived experience with state-funded services and the ability to guide youth in navigating mental health resources.

Candidates should be a transition aged youth (18–25) but may continue providing services until age 35, and will support youth in developing self-advocacy, relationships with community partners, and access to

Qualifications

• Must have received state-funded services from at least one child-serving agency.
• Ability to serve as a role model and advocate for youth.
• Knowledge of youth-related mental/behavioral health issues.
• Must be a transition aged youth (18–25) but may continue until age 35.

Responsibilities

• Provides support to youth through sharing lived experiences in accessing mental health/behavioral health supports.
• Uses lived experiences to teach through experience and serve as a role model for youth.
• Supports youth who attend The PORT in making their voices heard.
• Supports and guides youth in understanding youth culture and developing self-advocacy measures.
• Maintains up to date knowledge of youth-related mental and behavioral health issues.
• Completes trainings, supervision, and meetings as required at state and organizational levels.
• Maintains comprehensive documentation in written and/or Avatar formats.
• Fosters collaborative working relationships among leadership and program teams.

Skills

Lived experience as a youth

Advocacy skills

Behavioral health knowledge

Job description

The PORT drop-in center in Henderson, KY seeks a Youth Peer Support Specialist for Transition Aged Youth to serve as a role model and advocate for youth. The role emphasizes lived experience with state-funded services and the ability to guide youth in navigating mental health resources.

Candidates should be a transition aged youth (18–25) but may continue providing services until age 35, and will support youth in developing self-advocacy, relationships with community partners, and access to