Mental Health Youth Advocate

Full-time

Description

JOB TITLE: Mental Health Youth Advocate

REPORTS TO : Access Center Site Supervisor

SCHEDULE : Monday-Friday (11:00 am-7:00pm)

LOCATION: Venice CA

STATUS: Full-Time 40 hrs/wk Non-Exempt

CELL PHONE : Reimbursement for use

DRIVER POSITION : Yes If yes see driving policy below

SALARY RANGE: $22.00/hr

Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is thrilled to be expanding our Access Center hours! Were serving more youth and expanding the impact of our drop-in services!

ABOUT US:

Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is the leading service provider for youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in West Los Angeles. Founded in 2011 our agency offers trauma-informed low barrier programs that support young people in exiting the streets and achieving stability so that they can thrive not just survive. Our robust continuum of care includes street outreach drop-in services health and wellness programming case management education and employment services and housing programs.

SPY is a unique social impact agency that is committed to overcoming structural barriers to equity community collaboration and innovative youth-focused programming. If you have the skills passion and collaborative spirit join our growing team of over 100 employees.

SPY strives to attract and develop individuals who reflect a broad spectrum of diversity including (but by no means limited to) racial ethnic gender identity and socioeconomic dimensions. We believe that inclusion of diverse perspectives is essential to achieving long-term systemic change. We explicitly seek applications from those who self-identify as coming from historically marginalized populations to enrich and elevate our equity-centered approach to problem-solving.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Mental Health Advocates are a part of a Network with the Department of Mental Health Initiative to function as leaders in designing and advocating for healthy and racially equitable communities. As a Mental Health Youth Advocate at SPY you will support the goal to improve young people holistically through different services activities and engagements. Utilizing an equity centered community design you will provide support and services to youth experiencing trauma.

WHAT YOULL DO:

60% Program Implementation

• Establish authentic positive and supportive relationships with members and provide/welcome feedback.
• Conduct thorough screenings of individuals entering the program to assess their mental health needs
• Serve as the point person for crisis de-escalations utilizing de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention strategies.
• Coordinate and facilitate safe exits from the property for individuals experiencing crises ensuring a supportive and respectful process.
• Conduct checks for weapons and unwanted substances in accordance with site safety guidelines.
• Promote and coach peers to engage in their mental health and develop mental health management plans and goals.
• Provide support and guidance to clients as they enter ensuring their comfort and addressing any immediate concerns.
• Work with staff and community personnel to maintain a safe environment for all program participants.
• Work closely with program staff including clinicians case managers and staff personnel to ensure a seamless and coordinated approach to client support
• Act as a liaison on behalf of community members to follow-up with health management/care plans and providers.
• Promote COVID-19 awareness; provide community education on prevention transmission and testing; encourage testing and clinical care for symptoms.
• Provide direct service support to young people at the Access Center through clothing laundry day to day operations and more.

25% Psychoeducation and Case Management

• Assist youth in understanding care plans language and instructions.
• Facilitate community members access to mental health related services including but not limited to: information and instruction on appropriate use of resources overcoming barriers to obtaining needed care and social services.
• Promote and coach self-love and care by supporting community members to engage in their mental health and develop management plans and goals.

15% Administrative

• Document activities service plans and results in an effective manner while strictly adhering to policy and procedure.
• Attend internal and external meetings; including the Dept of Mental Health.
• Other duties as assigned to support the mission of the program and organization.

Requirements

WHAT YOULL NEED:

• Bachelors Degree in Social Work Psychology Sociology or related fields is preferred.
• 1-2 years of experience in social services or related fields is required.
• 1 years experience providing direct services to high-risk youth including counseling and advocacy is required.
• 1 years experience providing direct services to high-risk youth.
• 1 years of experience working in an Access Center environment.
• Working knowledge of social emotional and cognitive
• development trauma informed care and harm reduction service model
• Individuals with mental health lived experience are encouraged to apply
• A commitment to and a passion for the mission vision values and culture of SPY
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment that requires attention to detail and effective collaboration with a variety of organizations and individuals
• Written and verbal communication skills
• Cultural responsiveness and humility
• Life and Lived Experience: have learned lessons from circumstances and others and applied to personal development
• Ability to work and communicate respectfully within a context of varying beliefs behaviors orientations identities and cultural backgrounds
• Experience using technology; social media database systems Google Suite
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends (some local travel required)

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Changes in the environment such as the office or outdoors.
• Physical effort/lifting such as sedentary- up to 15-20 pounds at times.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

Mandated Reporting Requirements: The person holding this position is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21 2017 as a condition of employment.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: Effective August 9 2021 the State Health Officer has mandated that all workers paid or unpaid in homeless services organizations must provide proof of vaccination. If eligible for a booster shot proof of booster is also required. If not fully vaccinated weekly COVID-19 testing is necessary depending on the program. Please submit proof of vaccination to To request a reasonable accommodation or exemption please get in touch with HR at the same email address. Its important to note that these accommodations are limited.

Driver Positions:

Applicants are required to provide a copy of their driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles along with a copy of their valid drivers license and proof of insurance. Job offers are contingent upon a satisfactory driving record. Examples of an unsatisfactory driving record include:

• Suspended or revoked license
• Three or more moving violations in the past 36 months
• Any violations including drugs alcohol controlled substances within the past 24 months
• Reckless driving including hit and runs within the past 24 months
• At fault accidents resulting in fatality or serious injury within the past 5 years

The motor vehicle record will need to include a review of all states listed on the individuals employment application and resume. See instructions on obtaining your driving record below:

driver positions driving is an essential job function and cannot be reasonably accommodated employment may be discontinued.

NOTE: All staff members will be considered introductory employees for the first three months of employment and will not be considered regular employees until the conclusion of this period. SPY reserves the right to extend an employees introductory period. In no way does the expiration of this introductory period change the fact that all employees are at-will. It is the supervisors responsibility to orient the employee and to communicate the expectations of the supervisor and SPY as well as to evaluate whether the employee has the necessary level of skill job knowledge motivation and attitude to become a regular member of the SPY staff. New employees are also encouraged to seek guidance and assistance during this period. Employees who fail to demonstrate the expected commitment performance and attitude may be terminated at any time during the introductory period. However completion of the introductory period does not change or alter the at-will employment status. Employees continue to have the right to terminate their employment/business relationship at any time with or without cause or notice and SPY has the same right. The organization in its sole discretion may change the job duties responsibilities and assignments of any position at any time.

BENEFITS & PERKS:

Safe Place for Youth offers a competitive benefit package including comprehensive health coverage 403b with agency contribution and vacation/sick time. We also offer unique perks including weekly meditation/mindfulness and professional development opportunities that are tailored to your individual career growth.

EEO STATEMENT:

All aspects of employment including the decision to hire promote discipline or discharge will be based on merit competence performance and business needs. Safe Place for Youth does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal state or local law.

Safe Place for Youth is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive addition the organization will consider employment-qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.

Please include references in your application