Youth Peer Mentor

Founded in 1867, the Sacramento Children's Home is the oldest active charity in Sacramento and among the most highly respected. SCH is an equal opportunity employer who values an inclusive work environment that celebrates and recognizes the diversity of its employees. At SCH, we appreciate that having employees of many different backgrounds strengthens our organization, and we strive to create a workforce that reflects the diverse and culturally rich communities that we serve.

OVERVIEW: The Youth Peer Mentor (YPM) serves as a voice for youth receiving treatment in one of the SCH mental health programs. As a part of the child and family team, the YPM provides assistance and support to Sacramento Children's Home youth including peer coaching/mentoring, in-home support, accompanying youth and parents to meetings, providing community resource information and advocating for services. The YPM works in collaboration with each mental health program and ensures a youth voice in the system of care to improve the quality of services at SCH.

DUTIES:

• Peer Advocacy/Service
• Provides individual mentorship and support to youth being served within the agency's various mental health programs.
• Communicates, represents, and advocates on behalf of the youth perspective within the clinic setting. Works in collaboration with team members in the mental health programs.
• Engages and guides youth to explore and articulate their own values, beliefs, and to find their own voice.
• Provides services individually, in groups, in diverse clinic and community settings that meet the needs of youth and families.

• Helps youth identify their personal and cultural strengths and determine how these assets can be part of their treatment plan.

• Identifies information and resources in local communities which are useful to youth within those communities.

• Participates in the intake process/interview meeting as assigned.
• Participates in staff trainings and presentations regarding peer advocacy, as required.
• Provides orientation to staff on the role of the Youth Peer Mentor and philosophy.

• Advocates, educates, makes referrals to clinical staff, and supports youth without providing clinical advice.

• Mentors youth by using self as a positive role model while maintaining professional boundaries.

• Assists youth in developing and maintaining healthy peer and adult relationships.

• Consults on treatment and outreach approaches for youth.

• Participates in policy planning meetings with Family Partner and Program Managers as needed.

• Participates in treatment planning and case conferences as part of the child family team.
• Shares personal experiences and firsthand experiences to support a strength-based and client/family friendly atmosphere.
• Participates in at least one county community advisory meeting per quarter which can be determined in concert with Program Coordinator. Examples include: Mental Health Board Children's Stakeholder Committee, Mental Health Services Act planning meetings, and Division focus groups.

• Attends Youth Advocate Committee (known as YAC) which includes Youth Peer Mentors from other provider agencies throughout the county.

• Attends Child Family Services Provider meetings and Service Provider meetings which meets quarterly.

• Documents interventions with youth and/or families in a thorough and timely manner.

LOCATION: 2750 Sutterville Rd. Sacramento, CA 95820

SCHEDULE:Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

SALARY: $ $25.26 per hour to start, PLUS up to $8,400 annual productivity bonus

Plus $100 monthly stipend for bilingual candidates in Spanish, Russian, Hmong, Cantonese, Farsi (Dari), Vietnamese, or Arabic.

Education and Experience:A High School diploma or GED is required.

The completion of at least 12 units in Child Development, Psychology, Social Work, Early Childhood Development, or similar field is preferred.

Must have received recent direct services through the public mental health system as a youth.

The YPM cannot have worked for the same agency where services are/were being received. (Working with youth who received public mental health services is not a substitute for this requirement).

Driving is an essential function of this job. As such, employees in this position will be required to furnish their own vehicle to be used in the course of employment. A valid driver's license and minimum insurance coverage is also required. Must be at least 21 years old.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• Ability to coordinate meetings, including developing agendas, documenting conclusions, recommendations, actions and follow-up topics.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Word and Outlook.
• Proven ability to relate to youth and be seen as a positive role model.
• Ability to maintain positive discipline and group control.
• Excellent writing, organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to establish, develop and maintain appropriate boundaries with staff, youth and professionals.
• Skill to maintain a professional, confidential work environment.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks at one time in an efficient manner.
• Excellent problem solving skills.
• Must be able to function independently and be able to seek guidance when necessary to assist in working with the children and families.
• Ability to relate to children and families in a positive manner.
• Ability to work cooperatively with a culturally, economically and/or ethnically diverse client and staff population.
• Knowledge of child abuse issues and reporting mandates.
• Knowledge of confidentiality.
• Knowledge of substance abuse issues.
• Knowledge of team, family and group dynamics.
• Sensitivity to the cultural diversity of clients and employees.
• Knowledge of and/or the ability to locate community resources for meeting the needs of youth/families.
• Solution-focused problem solving skills.
• Diplomacy in resolving conflicts and integrating divergent perspectives.
• Ability to work constructively as a member of a team.
• Ability to represent SCH values and principles in a variety of settings.
• Ability to effectively communicate, establish, and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with a wide range of individuals and groups.
• Ability to maintain positive working relationships in a respectful and collaborative manner.

BENEFITS: Excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and accident insurance, short and long-term disability plans, retirement plan with company match, paid vacation, sick leave, 11 paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, professional development, and career advancement opportunities.

TO APPLY: Qualified employees must submit a completed Request for Promotion or Transfer form along with their resume to Human Resources. External candidates must complete our online employment application available at

PLEASE NOTE: Non-SCH employees who are made an offer of employment will be required to pass a post-offer, pre-employment background process that includes passing a drug test, including marijuana. Applicants who do not pass any part of this pre-employment process will have their offer of employment rescinded.