Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Catholic Community Services

Title: Youth Partner Date Open: 7/6/2015 Date Closed: Until Filled
Department:
Family Preservation-St Pats Reports to: Service Director
Status:
Full time position w/benefits FLSA: Non-exempt Starting Salary/Hourly Rate: $15.89 - $ 17.54 DOE

Program
Description:

The Family Preservation System provides an integrated and flexible array of strengths-based therapeutic services and supports to families and children with complex therapeutic needs. Family Preservation Services are delivered primarily in the client’s home or community and are designed to reinforce the strengths of the family to prevent the out-of-home placement of a child or prepare for the return home of a child from out-of-home care. Services focus on empowering the family to effectively use their strengths and abilities to address their needs and challenges with the primary goals of supporting them to become self-sufficient and to strengthen their relationships with community and natural supports that can sustain their long term success.
Position
Description:

Peer Youth Partners are individuals with a recent personal history of receiving mental health, child welfare or juvenile justice services who use that personal experience in building support to youth currently receiving services. The primary focus of the Peer Youth Partner is to build a strong partnership with youth based on mutual respect, shared experience and relatable history. Secondary functions include working collaboratively with other staff including Parent Partners who are providing support, service and intervention to other family members and assuring that other system partners understand the youth’s perspective. This position is not a role model position but a position that builds a positive connection that allows the young person to have support, skill and resources necessary to influence the direction of their own life. Successful applicants must have first person experience receiving system services and be prepared to disclose about their personal experiences with youth and others.
Essential
Functions: * Review personal history receiving services and disclose common elements to youth being served. * Identify self as a peer rather than a provider. * Find ways to relate personal experience to the experience of the youth as both a connection strategy for the young person and education strategy for other involved with the young person. * Provide supportive connection rather than becoming a change agent focused on correction. * Work with young people in home, school and community settings in order to gain an understanding of their situation. * Empower young people to communicate about their own position and perspective while avoiding speaking for them. * Attend team staffings as necessary to represent a youth’s perspective. * Maintain contact with therapist/care coordinator responsible for youth participants’ service plans. * Work collaboratively with other staff, including Parent Partners, who are providing support, service and intervention to other family members and assure that other system partners understand the youth’s perspective. * Seek assistance and report incidents when appropriate. * Assure that adults can understand the young person’s perspective, even if they disagree. * Collaboratively function as part of a multi-service team.
* In working with other staff, assure that the young person’s perspective is understood and considered in programmatic decisions. * Complete documentation that reflects a stance of respect for the young person. * Other duties as assigned.
Job
Requirements:



* Non-professional personal experience as a recipient of social or community services within the past 10 years. * High school diploma/GED. * Age 21 or older per DSHS requirements. * Excellent written and oral communication skills. * Complete peer counselor certification through DBHR within 6 months of being hired. * Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, auto registration and automobile insurance. * Must have an acceptable driving record per CCS’ driving policy (required to provide current driving abstract). * Applicant must successfully pass required background checks prior to an offer of employment. * Availability to work flexible hours (evenings, nights, weekends). * Proof of negative TB test within past 12 months. * Ability to work independently in addition to working as a member of a team. * Demonstrates the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills to deliver culturally competent services and work effectively in multi-cultural situations. * Support and uphold the mission, beliefs and values of Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services.
Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Please let us know if you need special accommodations to apply or interview for this position.


APPLICATION PROCEDURE Please go to https://careers-ccsww.icims.com/
to submit your resume, cover letter and application for this position.