SSN-RC-2019-055 - Youth Support and Peer Services

The County of Rockland Department of Mental Health is considering the issuance of a Sole Source award to The Children’s Village Inc. for the provision of Youth Support and Peer Services.
 
This award may be made on a sole source basis in accordance with the Rockland County Procurement Policy.
 
SCOPE
 
To develop the skill sets of children, youth and young adults with Serious Emotional Disturbance or Serious Mental Illness through youth advocacy, mentorships, youth voice and leadership.
 
PURPOSE
 
The Youth Engagement Specialist represents the voice of youth who have an SED/SMI and is responsible for infusing that perspective throughout the SOC.  This individual works with all System of Care (SOC) partners to inform program decision making and implementation with a family driven youth guided perspective.  Responsibilities also include developing programs for PSY young people to facilitate their involvement in the development programs for PSY young people to facilitate their involvement in the development, expansion and sustainability of the SOC.
 
QUALIFICATIONS
 

• Personal life experience in child serving systems (juvenile justice, behavioral/mental health, child welfare, and drug and alcohol, etc.)
   
• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.  High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
   

• Excellent coordination, presentation and organization skills
• Demonstrated understanding of SOC values
• Paid or volunteer experience as a youth advocate preferred
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to engage with diverse groups
• Familiarity with the children’s mental health system

• Provides advocacy by establishing and maintaining professional contacts with SOC partners and providers to fully integrate youth guided practices and partnerships.

• Participates in planning meetings at the Partnership for Safe Youth to ensure that the child, youth or young adult has a voice with their planning process.
   
• Develops community based activities to raise awareness to youth voice and the value of lived experience.  Creates partnership opportunities between youth and adults by hosting shared functions and participating in speaking engagements.
   
• Offers technical assistance/training to educate stakeholders and providers on the possibilities of effectively partnering with youth and young adults in program development and implantation.
   

• Works with evaluators and other staff to ensure the youth perspective is effectively reflected in evaluation and quality improvement activities.
   
• Works closely with CLAS Team Lead to ensure that all materials, programming and outreach meet CLAS standards.
   
• Works with the Social Marketer to identify marking strategies to effectively reach youth and identify best practices for engaging/involving youth at the community level.
   
• Serves as a member of the Implementation Committee, as well as the task lead for the Youth Advisory Board subcommittee which makes policy, procedure and practice recommendations for youth guided policies.
   
• Participates in weekly PSY team meetings.

• Creates and sustains a Breavehearts MOVE NEW York chapter for PSY youth within Rockland County that generates a connection to New York State’s youth advisory group with “Youth in Progress” and Youth MOVE National.  Provides bi-monthly (expand to weekly meetings to be held within Rockland County at a location provided by the SOC partners/providers at a date and time that the youth of Rockland County agree upon.