What is the Role of a Youth Peer Advocate? January 22, 2018 PRESENTERS: AZARIA WITTEKIND AND ALEX FRISINA YOUTH POWER!
What is the Role of a Youth Peer Advocate?
Peer Support A man falls into a hole so deep he can’t get out. A doctor walks by, and the man calls for help. The doctor writes a prescription, tosses it into the hole, and walks on. A priest walks by, and the man tries again. The priest writes a prayer, tosses it into the hole, and walks on. Finally a friend walks by, and again the man asks for help. T o his surprise, the friend jumps in with him. “ Why did you do that? ” the man asks. “ Now we’re both in the hole. ” “ Yes, ” the friend responds. “ But I’ve been in this hole before, and I know the way out. ”
What is a Youth Peer Advocate? • Share Recovery/ Resiliency Peer Story • Empower to be self- S upport directed • Empower to speak up for Peer themselves • Advocate for them Advocacy From: “New York State Office of Mental Health, HCBS Waiver Program Youth Peer Advocate Training Manual” YOUTH POWER! & Cornell University, 2015.
Youth Peer Advocate Expertise Knowledge of t he provider syst em Knowledge of Communit y Resources and opport unit ies Knowledge of peer movement s & resources for self-advocat es Personal Recovery/ Resiliency St ory
Benefits of having YPAs Y out h Families Adult Allies Organizat ions Communit ies
NYS Credentialing Peer S upport Hist ory Y out h Guided Pract ices Trauma informed Pract ices Cult ural Compet ence Professional expect at ions S mall group facilit at ion skills S yst em navigat ion S upport ing skill development Wellness and Recovery Advocacy Goal set t ing Independence
What do YP A’s report as barriers? Ageism S t igma Fear, discomfort , misunderst anding Lack of clarit y in t he role as Y out h Peer Advocat e (Expect at ions? ) Underst anding responsibilit ies of self and ot hers Frequency of meaningful t raining Lack of needed supervision & support Regulat ing st rong emot ions & wellness (secondary t rauma) Defining words like “ S afet y” and “ Boundaries”
Youth Guided Practice The First Step for Integrating YPAs Recognizing the continuum of power “Youth Guided means that young people have the right to be empowered, educated, and given a decision making role in the Creating safe care of their own lives as environments well as the policies and procedures governing care for all youth in the Giving young people a sustainable voice and community, state and then listening to that nation.” voice - Youth M.O.V.E. National
Setting the Stage Partner with youth led groups including YP! Evaluate readiness – (t ools are available!) Have a flexible plan t hat leaves room for problem solving and creat ivit y Prepare Staff and Clinicians – make sure t hey are aware of t he purpose, role and act ivit ies t hat are t o come. Ask t hem t o help creat e an environment where yout h are meaningfully engaged
Pre-Hire Considerations Defining the position Have a j ob descript ion wit h clear expect at ions of t he role. Sample descriptions available Code of ethics Transport at ion Ident ify peer support opport unit ies
Pre-Hire Considerations Recruiting YPAs Build an underst and of and connect ion t o our social- j ust ice & civil right s movement Ut ilize exist ing movement event s and act ivit ies t o draw in new people Init iat e Y out h Advisory/ Leadership Groups – t he young people you serve may very well be t he next YP A! Part ner wit h ot her organizat ions and agencies Recognize t he effect s of st igma and discriminat ion Ensure approaches are cult urally compet ent and address current yout h cult ure
Pre-Hire Considerations Interview Process & Onboarding Int erview process Diverse team including a young person to provide the youth perspective S ample interview questions Structured orientation/ onboarding Topics t o consider: HR and program orient at ion, overview & underst anding t he YP A role, work place expect at ions, boundaries, effect ive communicat ion, st rat egic sharing, role plays, HIP AA, mandat ed report ing, cult ural compet ency, t rauma informed care, self-care & support , safet y planning, syst em navigat ion
Pre-Hire Considerations Supporting the position Supervision & Coaching Professional Development Nat ural ment orship opport unit ies Reasonable accommodat ions Clear expect at ion on safet y and boundaries
Pre-Hire Considerations Respecting the person Don’ t make assumpt ions Support ing flexible posit ions while holding t o high st andards Respect ing t he right t o choose what t o disclose and t o whom
YPA interviews Dec 2016: S upervision- laid back style, holding YP A ’s accountable, check in on personal and professional life, regular supervision, encourage applying for full time positions and advancement when ready Having clear expectations of position and education on population working with YP A ’s need to be in a good place in their own recovery with the right supports in place before becoming a YP A
YPA interviews Dec 2016: YP A ’s want to be treated as young professionals Negative perception of YP A position has led to YP A ’s not feeling valued, not getting hired into full time positions within the agency and even hired into other agencies. S ome YP A ’s feel supported by their agencies while others feel looked down upon or not taken seriously due to their position.
Agency & Supervisor training & support YOUTH POWER! Technical Assist ance Y out h Peer Advocat e Leaders Fut ure CTAC t rainings Ut ilize Local and Nat ional resources Please send us recommendat ions or quest ions you would like explored in t he fut ure.
What YOUTH POWER! can offer you! Peer Leader S upport and Development Professional Development for YP As Y out h Peer Advocat e Leaders Meet ings S upport and collaborat ion for S upervisors of YP As The How To’s of Y out h Guided Pract ice Online resources; Tip sheet s Guides Webinars Videos
Ale Alex Frisin ina Long Island R YP Mica G a Gonzal alez AFrisina@ youthpowerny.org 631-245-5289 Central R YP MGonzalez@ youthpowerny.org 315-679-1476 Open p posit itio ion A motivated peer New York City R YP between the 1-888-326-8644 ages of 18-30 Open p posit itio ion A motivated peer Western R YP between the 1-888-326-8644 Brenna nnan W n Williams ages of 18-30 Hudson River R YP BWilliams@ youthpowerny.org 518-322-2096
Questions or Technical Assistance Requests Contact YOUTH POWER! Toll Free: 1-888-326-8644 info@youthpowerny.org www.YOUTHPOWERNY.org /YOUTHPOWER.NY @YOUTHPOWERNY
Q & A
Thank You
Recommend
More recommend
