Mentor (Credible Messenger - Justice for Youth & Families)

Job Description

Job Description

About Rising Ground

Founded as an orphanage in 1831, Rising Ground has been at the forefront of evolving community needs. Driven by the belief that each of us can thrive when life has hope and opportunity, Rising Ground provides caring support and proven paths to positive change, helping children, adults, and families rise above adversity, and each year, Rising Ground is a positive force in the lives of more than 72,000 individuals annually. We do this through 101 programs across 138 sites, throughout New York City and Westchester. Our strong belief and commitment to diversity is shown not just through our work with supported persons but is integral to the building of a strong staff that reflects the communities we serve. Rising Ground is headquartered in New York City.

About the Role

The “My Next Move” Credible Messenger Mentor Program is a group-based mentoring program that helps young adults transform the attitudes and behaviors that led to their involvement with the criminal justice system by developing positive and appropriate relationships and supporting them in making safe decisions once back in the community. Youth come together twice weekly as a cohort of up to 12 youth, ages 12-18, with the My Next Move team supporting them. The mentors will utilize journaling and Rewire CBT techniques to support the youth to examine their feelings, evaluate their own behaviors and develop strategies for change. Mentors facilitate groups that are targeted to meet the needs of where the group and individuals are at and to ensure we are targeting services at risks identified in the YLS, as well as group builders, educational activities, anger reduction strategies, recreational outings, group-based community service activities, and family events to name a few.

My Next Move supports youth who are transitioning out of JYF residential facilities (NSP and LSP) and into the community. They support youth on Aftercare in applying the tools they learned in placement to the community, in meeting their conditions of release, and in making safer decisions in the community. My Next Move mentors are responsible to handle critical incidents that occur on aftercare, responding to youths when they are dysregulated, attend court, visit youths at the precinct or hospital, or work with families during challenging moments such as assisting families during emergencies. The mentors will be included on a rotating on-call list to provide 24 hours / 7 days a week support for youth.

What You’ll Do

The My Next Move mentor will facilitate two therapeutic groups per week (4PM-7PM) and work together with the team to prepare for dinner, group, clean-up and processing the group / individual progress. They will be available during these hours to provide one-on-one mentoring to the youth, as needed . The mentors will organize relevant group activities that include group building activities, educational activities, anger reduction strategies, motivational speakers, recreational outings, group-based community service activities, and family events based on the risk / needs / interests of the individuals and group. The mentors will also participate in family events and groups at NSP & LSP to begin relationship building and pre-engagement with potential group participants (youth in placement, prior to their release).

In addition to groups, the mentors will meet with youth for individual sessions, averaging one hour per week and more as needed. They will utilize Rewire CBT techniques to engage youth and support them in setting individual goals and taking appropriate steps to meet their goals. They will also be available to provide crisis intervention and assistance in following through with the goals they have identified for themselves and / or any aftercare / court-mandated services. Mentors are also responsible for the following tasks :

• Following up and stabilizing situations as needed, including providing support, guidance, mediation, referral, implementation of action plan, appropriate follow up in a timely matter. Make all reasonable efforts to conduct a face-to-face response with youth / family within 24 hours of being notified of a situation where youth’s safety / permanency is in imminent risk, or has experienced acute emotional / physiological distress, suicidal ideations, homicidal ideations, fatality, serious injury, domestic violence, arrest, or whereabouts unknown.
• Participate in weekly individual supervision as well as treatment team meetings to review youth’s progress / challenges and service plan goals.
• Collaborate and communicate with the My Next Move and Aftercare team members regarding case planning services and safety / risk concerns.
• Model reliable, supportive and positive relationships to help youth navigate challenges and achieve their goals. Build and maintain supportive relationships with the youth that focus on improving problem solving and decision-making skills starting at the time they are placed in LSP / NSP.
• Model professionalism and respectful behavior in both the community and in group.
• Participate in Release Conference and all Family Team Conferences while youth is on Aftercare to advocate for the youth’s progress and any safety concerns. Accompany youth to check-ins with PPS and / or Probation when necessary.
• Collaborate with other service providers as needed / appropriate for the youth on aftercare, including but not limited to PPS, school staff, therapists, coaches, etc. Support youth in making / following through with vocational and prosocial activities as needed.
• Maintain clear and concise documentation that includes engagement, assessment, child well-being and group progress. Include documentation of incidents, safety plan and follow-up tasks. Enter progress notes in Connections within 5 business days.
• Participate in all Juvenile Justice and Credible Mentor-related training.

Your Qualifications

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Supervisory Responsibility : No

Work Environment : Field / In-Office

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work : Per Diem / hours will fluctuate to meet the needs of the participants. The per diem mentors might be called upon to respond to a crisis / need of a youth and need to be flexible / available.

Additional Requirements :

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is the policy of Rising Ground that the Agency wholly complies with equal treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to an individual’s perceived or actual race, creed, color, national origin, alienate, citizenship status, gender, age, disability, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or veteran status in all employment decisions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training and apprenticeship, promotion, upgrading, demotion, downgrading, transfer, layoff and termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.