2 jobs found

Ignite stands with youth on their journey to a home and a future with promise. We are a leading non-profit, human services organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty for youth, ages 10-26. While Ignite has a long-standing history that dates back to 1976, we continue to create new ways to serve our community. Today, we have more than 63 full-time and part-time staff as well as over 100 volunteers who contribute to our mission.   Through housing, education, employment, career planning, financial empowerment, mental health support, and community connection, we enroll more than 800 youth per year, on the path to reaching their full potential. Following their time with Ignite, many of our youth achieve financial stability and move into their own long-term home. Ignite intends to be the last program our youth will ever need, but the family and place they can always call home. As a 2025 Chicago Innovation Award winner, Ignite is leading the way in creating new housing and service models that help youth put homelessness behind them for good. At Ignite, we envision a world where all young people have the support they need to be defined by their potential, not their circumstances. Function: Responsible for providing stabilization support, advocacy, and guidance to young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Drawing on personal lived experience, the specialist builds trust, supports emotional well-being, and helps youth navigate mental health and housing-related challenges. The role emphasizes trauma-informed engagement, emotional regulation support, and connection to essential resources that promote safety, stability, and long-term housing retention. By providing consistent, relationship-based peer support, the Peer Support Specialist plays a key role in helping youth maintain engagement in services, access to mental-health care, and successfully transition into and remain stably housed. Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to the mission and core values of Ignite. Reports directly to the Behavior Health Therapist, Supervisor.   Duties : The following duties are the essential functions of this position. The Peer Support Specialist will perform these essential functions with or without requested reasonable accommodation.   Schedule: Full-time, hours of operation may include the hours of 9am – 7pm to meet client needs. Flexibility may be required.   Key Responsibilities Promote engagement, stabilization, and housing retention for Aftercare participants and other youth receiving support. Use lived experience to build authentic, trusting relationships with youth. Provide peer mentoring, emotional regulation support, and trauma-informed guidance. Offer support in navigating mental health systems, attending appointments, and following through on treatment recommendations. In coordination with case management team, assist clients in obtaining identification, vital documents, and other materials needed to support stability. Support youth with applications for housing, benefits, and assistance programs (e.g.,SNAP, Medicaid, SSI). Help clients access community resources related healthcare and mental health. Collaborate closely with Ignite’s behavior health team, case managers, and housing/navigation staff while maintaining clear peer support boundaries. Assist in leading Ignite’s youth leadership initiatives and support participants in ongoing recruitment and development. Encourage client self-advocacy, coping skill development, and progress toward personal goals. Provide immediate peer support during crisis situations and coordinate with behavioral health staff on crisis protocols. Maintain accurate and timely documentation of contacts, services, and stabilization efforts. Participate in staff meetings, individual supervision, and all required trainings (including mental-health and crisis response training).       Youth Engagement & Relationship Building   Create a supportive environment that empowers young adults to advocate for their needs and take active roles in their care. Engage youth in decision-making about referral options and service preferences. May be called upon to support Community Programs as necessary. Be knowledgeable in milieu shift requirements which may occur during morning and/afternoon hours. Provides general supervision and appropriate intervention in the community supported space. Participate in youth educational and personal development groups on the milieu incoordination with other staff and/or volunteers. Completes all required shift and activity documentation. Provides life skills training on the units both formally (in groups) and informally. Works with each client on basic life skills and daily issues impeding their progress toward self-sufficiency. Manages any crisis and/or emergency that may occur on the units with clients. May accompany youth on activities and presents proper activity documentation to include receipts. Assists youth with maintaining cleanliness, completing daily chores, and cooking. Writes clear and concise shift notes and maintains daily logs on all youth.   General Works as part of a team environment by providing support and assistance whenever needed. Timely prepares and submits all required forms and statistical reports. Maintain documents regarding participant’s cooperation, daily activities and other records incompliance with agency and external policies, procedures and applicable licensing standards. Follows agency policies and procedures for the obtainment of information and provision of services to clients. Participates in program planning and evaluation. Participates in and contributes to regularly scheduled supervisory and team meetings. May be called upon to participate in agency interviews. Provide on-going support and supervision for all volunteers and their tasks. Performs other duties as assigned.   Qualifications: Education and experience High School Diploma or GED required. Lived experience with homelessness, housing instability, behavioral health challenges, trauma, or system involvement. Former Ignite or other youth serving agency participant, preferred Strong interpersonal, communication, and active listening skills. Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality. Demonstrated empathy, reliability, and non-judgmental engagement. Familiarity with peer support ethics, trauma-informed care, and youth-centered practice Knowledge of local community resources.   Automation: Ability to use computer equipment and Microsoft office applications, e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook. Must be able to learn and understand the system that retains the electronic records on all clients, and complete timely and accurate data entry as directed.   Physical : Must be able to climb stairs and short ladders on frequent, daily basis. May be required to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs.   Benefits : BCBS PPO and HMO insurance options Unum dental insurance, free short-term and long -term disability Ameriflex FSA, commuter/parking, and dependent care accounts 403b with 1% of salary matching EAP program   Ignite is an Equal Opportunity Employer and as such, all applicants and/or employees seeking promotional opportunities will be considered without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. Additionally, as dictated by the state of Illinois, employment with Ignite is at will. This means your employment is for an indefinite period of time and it is subject to termination by you or Ignite, with or without cause, with or without notice, and at any time.   Manages any crisis and/or emergency that may occur on the units with clients. May accompany youth on activities and presents proper activity documentation toinclude receipts. Assists youth with maintaining cleanliness, completing daily chores, and cooking. Writes clear and concise shift notes and maintains daily logs on all youth.   General Works as part of a team environment by providing support and assistance wheneverneeded. Timely prepares and submits all required forms and statistical reports. Maintainsdocuments regarding participant’s cooperation, daily activities and other records incompliance with agency and external policies, procedures and applicable licensingstandards. Follows agency policies and procedures for the obtainment of information and provisionof services to clients. Participates in program planning and evaluation. Participates in and contributes to regularly scheduled supervisory and team meetings. May be called upon to participate in agency interviews. Provide on-going support and supervision for all volunteers and their tasks. Performs other duties as assigned.   Qualifications: Education and experience High School Diploma or GED required. Lived experience with homelessness, housing instability, behavioral health challenges,trauma, or system involvement. Former Ignite or other youth serving agency participant, preferred Strong interpersonal, communication, and active listening skills. Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality. Demonstrated empathy, reliability, and non-judgmental engagement. Familiarity with peer support ethics, trauma-informed care, and youth-centeredpractice. Knowledge of local community resources.   Automation: Ability to use computer equipment and Microsoft office applications, e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook. Must be able to learn and understand the system that retains the electronic records on all clients, and complete timely and accurate data entry as directed. Physical: Must be able to climb stairs and short ladders on frequent, daily basis. May be required to occasionally lift up to 25 lbs. Benefits: BCBS PPO and HMO insurance options Unum dental insurance, free short-term and long -term disability Ameriflex FSA, commuter/parking, and dependent care accounts 403b with 1% of salary matching EAP program   Ignite is an Equal Opportunity Employer and as such, all applicants and/or employees seeking promotional opportunities will be considered without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. Additionally, as dictated by the state of Illinois, employment with Ignite is at will . This means your employment is for an indefinite period of time and it is subject to termination by you or Ignite, with or without cause, with or without notice, and at any time.

Youth Care Professional PROGRAM - Baltimore, Maryland Position Summary: The Youth Care Professional at Everstand provides trauma informed direct care services, ensures that day-to-day supervision of residents is consistent with agency standards and effectively works as a member of an interdisciplinary team. Essential Functions: Model and act in accordance with Everstand’s core values: safety, empathy, relationships, and impact. Honor differences, acknowledge uniqueness, and amplify all voices. Partner with Everstand’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) committee to build (and participate) in trainings and group experiences that strengthen Everstand’s commitment to EDI. Model the use of inclusive language. Demonstrate and practice Everstand’s leadership mindset, “Choose kindness.  Solve problems and learn together. Make it happen.”         Engages in a trauma informed model of programming to provide physical and emotional safety for residents and the families they serve.  Utilizes program approved and youth guided techniques to support the development of a healthy, trusting relationship with the resident.   In Everstand’s Theory of Change, this relationship is the vehicle for recovery and building durable skills. Consistently implements each resident’s individualized plans and completes documentation as required, such as, shift logs, bed checks, and serious / significant incident reports. Promotes effective communication through the timely submission of documentation. Obtain and maintain certification as a “user” in Everstand’s electronic health record software system.    Model and teach life skills that will assist the development of interpersonal relationships and social skills, including, but not limited to:        empathy, effective communication, conflict resolution, friendship formation, peer pressure resistance. Promotes and supports the development of a positive self-image of the residents. Assists with the development of personal care routines and a clean and orderly environment.  The YCP is ultimately responsible for ensuring that housekeeping expectations for the living unit are in line with agency standards and identifies and reports items that  needs to be replaced or repaired.   Assist youth with their ADLs (Activities of Daily Living), which could include toileting.  Follows Everstand guidelines for completing searches, as designated by program standards.   Adheres to program expectations for resident supervision, including providing enhanced supervision and line of sight and sound monitoring as indicated by clinical and / or program requirements. Observes methods/techniques of clinical staff and participates in treatment of residents in interaction, limit setting, and implementation of safety and treatment plans. Responsible for co-facilitation and involvement in group meetings.  Maintains developmental and age-appropriate rules and expectations for youth and promotes positive success with Everstand’s PBIS system.  Maintains professional boundaries between self and resident to ensure the appropriateness of a therapeutic relationship.  Ensures that each resident’s health needs are identified and met within the specified time frame.  Accurately administers medication according to physician and/or other orders, and documents the medication administration record (MAR), per program standards.  Actively encourages and supports each resident’s need to achieve academic success and explore their individual talents.   Provides safe transportation in agency vehicles for residents to keep scheduled appointments as required.  YCPs are you participate in the appointment, advocate for the youth’s health needs and communicate that information back to the Treatment Team and Health Suite.  This also includes any hospital coverage. Provides direct mealtime supervision to assure that residents are provided a balanced meal and that dining procedures are consistently followed. Completes assigned unit system responsibilities and documentation. Contributes to the prevention and management of challenging behaviors by implementing Everstand’s Behavior Management and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Techniques. Provides mandatory on-call coverage as required. Must be flexible and available to work various shifts during the week/weekend.   Completes mandatory training to align with the yearly anniversary date.   Caminos Only – WV Daytime YCP Accompany youth on medical appointments and communicate provider’s questions/concerns to ensure accuracy and patient safety. Obtain and maintain certification to support medical translation needs of the youth in the program. Non Essential Functions: Provides coverage, as needed, for direct care vacancies. Provides transportation support for youth intakes and discharges, to include but not limited to airline travel.   Competencies: Accurate Listening Appointment Coordination Attention to Detail Communications Conceptual Thinking  Handling stress Honesty  Following Directions Frequent Interaction with Others  Meeting Standards           Organizational Skills  Customer Service Taking Minutes Personal Accountability Problem Solving Professional Behavior Speaking to strangers Teamwork Learning and using Technology Telephone Protocol Time Management Flexibility Urgency Supervisory Responsibility: NA   Work Environment: This job operates in a treatment environment. This role can use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, and filing cabinets. In the nature of being at a residential and school living environment, there may be times you experience conditions in which challenging behavior can be exhibited from our youth to include but not limited to, physical agitation, physical violence and/or emotion outburst.   Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Due to the nature of the populations served, there is a physical component to behavioral interventions that requires the YCP to be able to safely perform physical restraints when necessary, as outlined and trained via Therapeutic Crisis Intervention and/or Safe Crisis Management.   Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time position. The hours may vary depending on shift.  Shift information is received from the Unit Supervisor.  This position regularly requires long hours and weekend work. This position is essential during inclement weather.      Travel Travel, if needed, is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected. Maryland YCP’s may be required to work at various sites in the state, such as Hagerstown, Lotus, Denton, Colesville, and Baltimore.  Everstand will assist with providing an agency vehicle for transportation (if not your usual location) or will provide milage reimbursement from your home Everstand location.    Education and Experience Standards  Residential Program MD, PA, WV YCP: Required Education and Experience Associate's degree plus 1 of year experience in related fields Or HS diploma plus 1 year of experience in related fields Preferred Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Human Services, or a related field from an accredited college or University. Experience is required if not in the related fields.   Caminos Program:  Required Education and Experience: High School Diploma One-year of child welfare experience working with children and/or adolescents. Preferred Education and Experience: Bilingual English and Spanish speaking ability. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited College or University   Additional Eligibility Qualifications Proven effective time management, planning, communication, and interpersonal skills Ability to problem solve. Ability to work independently.  Ability to pass RCYCP certification both at employee orientation and per the schedule outlined by HR thereafter-Maryland Only  Ability to pass TCI certification both at employee orientation and per the schedule outlined by HR thereafter- Maryland/WV only.  Ability to pass SCM certification both at employee orientation and per the schedule outlined by HR thereafter-PA only .  Ability to pass CPR/First aid certification both at employee orientation and per the schedule outlined by HR thereafter. Ability to pass the certification to dispense medication, per program and state requirements.   Ability to demonstrate the possession of a valid driver’s license prior to employment and ability to maintain the license and operate a motor vehicle thereafter.  Ability to pass CPS/UII background check both prior to employment and per the schedule outlined by HR thereafter. Ability to pass a Tuberculosis Screening both prior to employment and per the schedule outlined by HR thereafter.  Ability to pass a work-readiness physical performed by a certified medical professional both prior to employment and per the schedule outlined by HR thereafter.  Ability to pass a Federal and State Fingerprinting Background Check both prior to employment and per the schedule outlined by HR thereafter. Ability to pass a drug screen via urinalysis both prior to employment and randomly thereafter.   Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.   Everstand  is committed to the policy that all persons have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, national origin, genetic information, pregnancy, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, marital or veterans status. Everstand is a drug, tobacco and alcohol-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer by choice.