Drop-In Center Youth Peer Support Specialist - Port
RIVER VALLEY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Summary
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.
Job description
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 18 to 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.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications: Education and Experience
- High School diploma or GED.
- Meets the criteria as a youth having lived with an emotional, social, behavioral, and/or substance use disability.
- Must be between the ages of 18-35.
- Successfully completed the Kentucky Family Leadership Academy, or plan on completing the training if offered a position.
Knowledge and Skills
- Demonstrates experience with leadership and advocacy in the behavioral health field, both with individuals and groups.
- Demonstrates effort at self-directed leadership development.
- Good communication skills, both oral and written.
- Demonstrates relevant knowledge of pertinent community partners.
- Ability to make appropriate decisions and manage conflict.
- Ability to model appropriate behaviors for youth accessing service.
Requirements
- High School diploma or GED
- Meets the criteria as a youth having lived with an emotional, social, behavioral, and/or substance use disability
- Must be between the ages of 18-35
- Successfully completed the Kentucky Family Leadership Academy, or plan on completing the training if offered a position
- Demonstrates experience with leadership and advocacy in the behavioral health field, both with individuals and groups
- Demonstrates effort at self-directed leadership development
- Good communication skills, both oral and written
- Demonstrates relevant knowledge of pertinent community partners
- Ability to make appropriate decisions and manage conflict
- Ability to model appropriate behaviors for youth accessing service
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Telehealth
- Paid time off
- 9 holidays
- Retirement plan options
- Tuition reimbursement
- Free CEUs
- Clinical supervision
- Wellness program
- Employee assistance program
- Mileage reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Company overview
River Valley Behavioral Health is a comprehensive mental health care provider specializing in behavioral health services for individuals and communities. As a healthcare provider organization, it focuses on delivering evidence-based treatment and support services for mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and developmental disabilities. The organization typically offers a range of services including outpatient counseling, crisis intervention, psychiatric care, addiction treatment, and community-based support programs. River Valley Behavioral Health serves as a critical resource in its region, providing accessible mental health care to diverse populations through integrated treatment approaches. The organization emphasizes person-centered care, recovery-oriented services, and community partnerships to address the complex needs of individuals facing behavioral health challenges. With a commitment to improving mental wellness and quality of life, River Valley Behavioral Health plays an essential role in the healthcare ecosystem by bridging gaps in mental health services and promoting holistic well-being for the communities it serves.