Youth Peer Support 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

Job Summary:Full time and Part Time afternoon positions available!

The Youth Peer Support Specialist for Transition Aged Youth (TAY) Drop-in Center (The PORT), uses relevant personal experiences to serve as a role model for the youth. They ensure Youth’s voices and choices are heard and help drive the TAY model of care. This person will themselves have received state-funded services from at least one child-serving agency and will demonstrate leadership and advocacy abilities in the field of behavioral health.

The Port is located in Henderson, KY and serves as a drop-in center offering mental health resources and other supports for transition age youth aged 16- 25.The Port provides youth with access to computers, recreational activities, gaming systems, exercise equipment, and laundry facilities, along with mental health counseling, job placement services, life skills training, and peer supports.

Essential Functions:

• Provides support to youth through sharing lived experiences in accessing mental health/ behavioral health supports.
• Uses lived experiences to teach through experience and serves as an appropriate role model for youth.
• Supports Youth who attend the PORT in making their voices heard.
• Supports and guides youth in understanding youth culture, developing self-advocacy measures, and developing relationships with community partners in order to eventually advocate for themselves and access services more fully.
• Maintains up to date knowledge of youth-related mental and behavioral health issues.
• Maintains timely completion of required trainings, supervisions, meeting attendance, etc., at state and organizational levels
• Meets requirements of being a transition aged youth or young adult, between 18to 25, but can continue providing services as a Youth Peer Support Specialist until the age of 35.
• Maintains, in a comprehensive manner, all required documentation pertinent to role, in written and/ or Avatar formats.
• Fosters collaborative working relationships among members of the leadership and management teams and programs.

455 Klutey Park Plaza Dr, Henderson, KY 4240