The Youth Peer Advocate provides Youth Peer Support and Training services to children and young adults experiencing behavioral health challenges. Using relevant lived experience and a peer-centered approach, the Youth Peer Advocate supports youth in strengthening self-advocacy, resiliency, wellness, community connection, and confidence in navigating behavioral health and other child-serving systems.
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Engage youth through shared experience, mutuality, and strengths-based peer support.
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Assist youth with identifying personal goals, developing self-advocacy skills, and participating meaningfully in treatment and service planning.
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Support development of coping, communication, problem-solving, wellness, and independent-living skills.
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Help youth understand and navigate behavioral health, education, juvenile justice, foster care, and community-support systems, as applicable.
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Connect youth with natural supports, community resources, and age-appropriate social and recreational opportunities.
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Collaborate with families, providers, care managers, and other members of the youth’s service team while maintaining the distinct nonclinical peer role.
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Complete timely, accurate, and Medicaid-compliant service documentation.
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Participate in supervision, training, team meetings, and quality-improvement activities.
New York State Youth Peer Advocate credential or provisional credential required, or eligibility to obtain the credential within the timeframe established by the agency and New York State. The employee must possess relevant lived experience and demonstrate the ability to use that experience appropriately to support youth recovery, resiliency, and wellness. Strong engagement, communication, documentation, boundary-management, and community-based service skills are required.
