Title Peer Support Representative (Thibodaux Region)
Location Houma Area
Job Information

Essential Functions:

According to DCFS requirements Goodwill Industries is seeking a former foster youth for Peer Support in the Thibodaux region. This person will serve on the state Youth Advisory Board and Review Committee for Youth in Extended Foster Care, as well as coordinate a Peer Mentoring Youth Engagement Program. Applicants who are positive, motivated, and wanting to offer support to youth in foster care are welcome to apply.

Responsibilities:

This job requires substantial knowledge of coaching and mentoring to build successful program participants who possess creativity, leadership ability and oral & written communication skills. The Peer Support Representative is responsible for outreach and development & implementation, with the support of the Program Manager and Life Skills Trainers, of a youth engagement program with a leadership framework.

 General Duties: Participate in 80% of the in-person and phone state board meetings which are held on weekdays and weekends.

  1. Participate in program planning and development and serve on related boards and/or task force to improve supportive services for youth and families as requested.
  2. Provide feedback regarding the Good Transitions Program, DCFS program development, and the peer support role.
  3. Keep the Program Manager informed of unusual and/or crisis situations as they arise.

Youth Engagement (All ages): Organize a regional youth engagement program with other staff support to discuss challenges and strengths of the IL program, provide a peer support network, and discuss challenges and strengths of the foster care program within a leadership framework.

  1. Conduct monthly meetings to include meeting time and social opportunities.
  2. Identify yearly goals of the board to include service projects, socialization activities, review and feedback of DCFS policy, and projects to change and strengthen the Independent Living and foster care programs.
  3. Obtain feedback from monthly meetings for program manager.

Young Adults (18-21): Assist in completion of National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) surveys for all required follow up youth to age 21, if time allows and required duties are completed.

  1. Contact youth according to the bi-monthly contact plan.

  Skills and Abilities:

  1. Must have excellent organizational skills and be able to complete projects efficiently and independently.
  2. Must have excellent communication skills including verbal, phone, word processing, email and internet.
  3. Must have good public relations skills and the ability to work with employees and the public.
  4. Must establish and maintain effective working relationships with, and among, all personnel.
  5. Must be able to read, write and communicate clearly in English.
  6. Must be able to work occasionally long or extended hour, including weekends.
  7. Must be able to function in a hectic work environment with occasional periods of high stress.
  8. Must maintain strict confidentiality of all information.

Requirements:

  1. Must be 18 years old.
  2. Minimum of High School Diploma or equivalency is required and foster care experience.
  3. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  4. Must be proficient in operating a computer and experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), and other social media applications.
  5. Must provide own transportation.
  6. Must be ambulatory.

Physical/Mental Demands:

Must be able to tolerate frequent periods of high stress, heavy workload and multiple priorities.   Must be able to see, hear, speak and otherwise communicate effectively.

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