SUMMARY: Collaborate and advocate with great people! We are a team of talented and diverse people, who are passionate about building innovative solutions to challenges facing kids and families. With community agencies as our partners, we are empowering families to raise Ohio’s next generation of leaders. Join us!
Founded in 1973, the Ohio Children’s Alliance is a non-profit statewide mission-driven organization based in Columbus, Ohio. The Alliance offers employees a challenging and rewarding work environment that fosters teamwork and inspires professional excellence. The Alliance provides educational and professional services to community child and family service agencies and it advocates on public policy issues to government agencies. During the last three years, Alliance membership has grown by 28%, while membership projects and grants have grown exponentially. Today the Alliance manages an innovative statewide program that equips former foster youth for success in adulthood as well as a children’s behavioral health care provider network which cultivates and manages projects that advance health care improvements.
AMERICORPS - PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST POSITION DESCRIPTION: In support of the mission of The Ohio Children’s Alliance, the AmeriCorps Peer Support Specialist will work to mentor youth that have already or are preparing to age out of the foster care system to support their transition with post-emancipation plans, goal setting and resources. Peer Support Specialists will also assist in spreading awareness of the program and assist their mentees in overcoming barriers and challenges to help ensure a successful transition to adulthood. Additionally, mentors will receive professional development training.
SERVICE LOCATION: Columbus, OH Area. Members will work a hybrid of from home and the office.
DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Tina Jacob, MPH, CHES-- Program Manager
SERVICE DATES: September 7th, 2021- July 1, 2022
SERVICE POSITION TYPE/ REQUIREDMINIMUM SERVICE HOURS: Part-time/900 hours
GENERAL SERVICE SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday 20hrs/week. Specific work hours and days are flexible based on mentee needs with fixed training days weekly that are mandatory.
DUTIES INCLUDE:
1. Contact young people who either have or will soon be emancipating from the foster care system to:
a. Create a peer support relationship
b. Encourage participation in various resources such as CCMEP, PES, and Bridges.
c. Provide connection or referrals to other resources as needed
d. Create goal sheets with young people to help guide relationships
e. Assisting with additional projects as assigned
f. Speaking engagements to support/encourage foster youth
g. Attending conferences, health fairs, and info sessions
h. Assisting with the creation or facilitation of life skills groups or materials.
3. Maintain accurate recordkeeping of all contacts in system of record
4. Process any crisis/emergent situations with supervisor
5. Assist with any other office duties as assigned and appropriate (copying, sorting, attending meetings etc.)
6. Participate in fully developing a “career passport”
a. Setting career aspirations and goals/objectives
b. Researching the career pathway
7. Participate in other life skills development and training activities.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- At least 18 years of age
- Ability to pass criminal background check and drug screen
- Working knowledge of Microsoft office software and data entry programs
- Positive and professional written and oral communication skills
- Lived experience in the foster care system
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Working towards a career in the field of social work or a similar field
- Highly organized and detail oriented
- Experience and comfort with speaking on the phone
MEMBER/PROGRAM BENEFITS:
- Living Stipend up to $10,800 for the duration of service
- Education Award up to $3,172.50 upon completion of program requirements
- Career passport and training