ABOUT AKIN:
Akin partners with children, families, and communities to build relationships and support well-being so everyone can thrive. Through our early learning programs, we create inclusive, nurturing environments where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn.
POSITION SUMMARY
The WISe Youth Partner is a Certified Peer Specialist who draws on their own lived experience as a young person who has navigated trauma, emotional or behavioral health challenges, and involvement in child-serving systems. In this role, you are a trusted bridge between the youth you serve and the WISe team — ensuring that the voice and choice of each young person is genuinely heard, respected, and reflected at every stage of the process.
Many WISe participants are reluctant to share their perspectives, hopes, and concerns — particularly those who have been marginalized or unheard in previous system of care experiences. You will build the kind of authentic, peer-based relationship that makes it safe for youth to speak up. Your work ensures that each young person’s perspective is captured with honesty and dignity in the Cross-System Care Plan (CSCP) and the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) tool, so that the plan truly belongs to them.
Services are provided in homes, schools, and other community settings with a flexible schedule that meets youth where they are.
This position has access to protected healthcare information (PHI) or confidential identifiable information (CII), both paper and electronic, as necessary, to perform related job duties and responsibilities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Amplify Family Voice & Choice
- Serve as the primary champion for the voice and choice of each WISe participant, ensuring their perspective is articulated and honored throughout every phase of the WISe process
- Build trusting relationships with youth who may be reluctant to share their views, especially those who have been marginalized or dismissed in previous system experiences
- Ensure each young person’s hopes, concerns, strengths, and goals are captured respectfully and clearly in the Cross-System Care Plan (CSCP) and the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) tool
- Assess and support the youth’s ability and confidence to communicate their own perspective and preferences, and actively work to strengthen that capacity over time
- Advocate for the youth’s needs, interests, and goals within the Child and Family Team and the broader community
Building Trust & Connection
- Meet with youth regularly, bringing authenticity, consistency, and genuine care to every interaction
- Draw on your own lived experience to build rapport, establish trust, and demonstrate that recovery and a meaningful life are possible
- Listen to each young person’s story and, with them, identify their strengths, needs, preferences, and goals
- Work with youth to identify and engage natural supports in the wraparound process
Coaching, Skill Building & Empowerment
- Coach youth to develop communication, self-advocacy, and self-regulation skills that help them take an active role in their own treatment and goal-setting
- Model effective ways to engage with systems, services, and team members
- Share de-escalation strategies for managing difficult moments, developed and reinforced collaboratively with the whole team
- Help youth understand their rights within the systems they are involved in and how to exercise those rights
- Encourage youth to give feedback to team members and celebrate progress toward their goals
System Navigation & Community Connection
- Draw on lived experience to help youth navigate complex systems — including mental health, education, child welfare, and juvenile justice — in practical and empowering ways
- Participate in Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings, providing youth-centered perspective and supporting youth participation and voice in those meetings
- Connect youth to community resources, activities, and natural supports that align with their interests and goals
- Brainstorm and co-develop strategies with youth that build on their strengths and expand their sense of possibility
- Participate in rotating after-hours crisis on-call coverage, providing timely response and support to youth and families outside of regular business hours
Team Collaboration & Documentation
- Collaborate with CFT members and complete assigned tasks on the care plan relevant to this role
- Communicate with the team about progress and completion of assigned tasks
- Provide a range of supportive interventions and activities as agreed with the youth and documented in the cross-system care plan
- Coordinate strategies and approaches with clinicians and other team members to ensure consistency
- Maintain productivity standards for direct service as established for the position
- Ensure timely collection of statistical information for funding sources and program evaluations
- Ensure compliance with all Akin policies, applicable contracts, and Federal, State, and local confidentiality requirements
- Perform documentation reviews and self-audits as required by the WISe Coach or as needs arise
- Participate in scheduled supervision, team meetings, and administrative meetings; utilize reflective supervision to support professional growth and quality client care
- Remain current with all professional development and licensure requirements
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Lived experience as a young person who has navigated trauma and/or significant emotional or behavioral health challenges, with personal involvement in at least one child-serving system (e.g., mental health, child welfare, juvenile justice, special education)
- A demonstrated ability to connect authentically with youth who may feel unheard, distrustful, or disengaged from services
- The ability to draw on your own story to build hope and trust without centering your experience over the youth’s
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with warmth, patience, and genuine enthusiasm for young people’s growth
- Commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and belonging; demonstrated openness to learning and contributing to an equitable workplace
- Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook and Word; strong typing skills
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
- This position requires a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends to accommodate families’ needs
- Services are performed throughout the community including in family homes, schools, and Akin offices
HYBRID WORK ARRANGEMENTS:
Hybrid work is a benefit of Akin’s flexible workplace but cannot be offered for all positions. Some positions require daily presence in the office. Hybrid work arrangements may be adjusted or rescinded based upon business needs.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard; occasionally to reach, stoop and kneel
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work
- Regular, predictable attendance is required
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Have or obtain the Peer Counselor Certification from the State of Washington within 6 months of hire (Akin will support with the process to obtain this certification)
- Proof of CPR and First Aid Certification is required within 30 days
- A one-step Mantoux TB skin test prior to start of employment. For those who have previously tested positive, documented proof of treatment from a doctor, or a negative chest x-ray must be provided
- HIV/AIDS and blood borne pathogens training required within 30 days
- A valid driver’s license and a favorable driving record, with no more than three violations within the past three years
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Prior experience in a peer support role
SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS:
We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including competitive pay, medical, dental and retirement benefits and paid time off. As required by various pay transparency laws, we share a competitive range of compensation for candidates hired into each position.
The target starting pay for this position is $23.636 - $27.7685 per hour, typically within the first half of these ranges. Actual offers will be based on individual qualifications relevant to the role and will not take an applicant’s pay history into account.
The range above allows our employees room for growth during their tenure in the position.
WHY JOIN AKIN?:
- Make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families
- Work in a collaborative, mission-driven environment
- Access ongoing professional development and growth opportunities
- Be part of a team committed to inclusion, belonging, and community
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION:
Akin is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage individuals who bring lived experience and diverse perspectives to apply.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
