New Directions Youth & Family Services·City of Lockport, New York
Provide formal and informal support to youth with mental health needs to ensure their active participation in treatment planning and the development of independent living skills. Facilitate peer support groups and collaborate with community partners to bridge the gap between youth and service providers.
Youth Peer Support (YPS) services are formal and informal services and supports provided to youth with mental health needs in their home, school, placement, and/or community centered services. These services provide the support necessary to ensure engagement and active participation of the youth in the treatment planning process and with the ongoing implementation and reinforcement of skills. Services are delivered in a trauma informed, culturally and linguistically competent manner. Youth Peer Support should possess leadership skills and knowledge of advocacy. Youth Peer Support activities must be intended to develop and achieve the identified goals and/or objectives as set forth in the youth's individualized treatment plan. The structured, scheduled activities provided by this service emphasize the opportunity for the youth to expand the skills and strategies necessary to move forward in meeting their personal, individualized life goals, develop self-advocacy skills, and to support their transition into adulthood.
Department New Directions empowers caregivers through advocacy, education, support, and connection to community resources. Services help families navigate child-serving systems, build skills, strengthen natural supports, and improve outcomes for children and youth.
Agency New Directions is an equal opportunity employer committed to championing the principles of anti-racism, justice, and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds, for all positions, who will uphold our values and contribute to our mission. We aim to have a leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.
Location Lockport, NY
Professional Development Opportunities New Directions supports professional growth through credentialing opportunities, continuing education, supervision, training, and advancement pathways within the organization.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Special – Personal Skills, Qualities, Aptitudes and Physical Requirements New Directions Youth & Family Services, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable persons with disabilities to perform essential functions. Ability to work effectively with clients, families, staff and community contacts from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Ability to deal effectively with children/youth with behavioral, emotional and/or mental health challenges and their families Ability to accept supervision and perform as part of a team. Ability to be flexible and adapt to change. Must have a valid driver’s license, and meet the criteria for driving set forth in the New Directions Driver’s License policy and Auto Insurance policy. Must comply with Agency safety standards and be responsible for own actions and conduct concerning safety and healthy working conditions.
Experience Be an individual 18 to 30 years old who has self-identified as a person who has first-hand experience with, emotional (mental health), behavioral challenges, and/or co-occurring disorders Be able to use lived experience with a disability, mental illness, and involvement with juvenile justice, special education, substance use disorder, and/or foster care to assist in supporting youth in their resiliency/recovery and wellness Demonstrate qualities of leadership, including: o Knowledge of advocacy o Group development and/or facilitation of peer-to-peer groups or activities Education A high school diploma, high school equivalency preferred or a State Education Commencement Credential (e.g. SACC or CDOS). This educational requirement can be waived by the State if the person has demonstrated competencies and has relevant life experience sufficient for the peer certification. Preferred Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) Credential. We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleagues develop these preferred skills. We strongly encourage those who are passionate about fostering a diverse, inclusive and equitable human service organization to apply.
Market context
In New York, Youth Peer Advocate roles are often tied to youth mental health, child welfare, and community-based support programs, so demand tends to follow agency staffing needs in those settings. These roles are competitive because employers look for both lived experience with child-serving systems and practical skills in human services, education, or mental health. Review how your experience aligns with the required license and background, and use the platform’s AI-summarized requirements and benefits to quickly compare openings without reading every original posting.
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