1. Youth Peer Advocate Training and Credentialing December 6, 2018
Brianna Gower, Director
Bianca Logan, Youth Peer Development and Training Manager
YOUTH POWER!

2. Youth Peer Advocate Training & Credentialing
YOUTH POWER! | December 6, 2018

3. Agenda Training/Credentialing Overview Updated Timeline for Release
Technical Assistance Available Through YP!
Examples of Support
Q&A

4. Base Qualifications
In order for an individual to be eligible for the YPA Credential, they will need to:
Be an individual 18 to 30 years old who has self-identified as a person who has first-hand experience with social, emotional, medical, developmental, substance use, and/or behavioral challenges
Be able to use lived experience with a disability, mental illness, juvenile justice, special education, substance use disorder, and/or foster care to assist in supporting young people in their resiliency/recovery and wellness
HS Diploma, HS Equivalency, or a State Education Commencement Credential. (In exceptional cases, documentation of comparable skills may be accepted.)
Agree to practice according to the Youth Peer Advocate Code of Ethics.
Be able to demonstrate qualities of leadership, including:
Knowledge of advocacy
Group development and/or facilitation of peer-to-peer groups or activities

5. 6 Steps to becoming a credentialed YPA
Complete Level One of the YPA Training
Apply for the YPA Provisional Credential
Complete Level Two (Online) of the YPA Training
Complete Level Two (In-Person) of the YPA Training
Complete Consultation Calls
Apply for the YPA Professional Credential
*20 hours of continuing education required every two years to renew the credential*

6. Step 1: Level One - Online
Modules:
Introducing the YPA Service
Developing Self-Efficacy Skills
Cultural Competence
Professional Expectations
Small Group Facilitation
Navigating the System
Documenting Your Work
Accessed through the YP! Website
Hosted on the CTAC Self-Learning Center

7. Step 2: YPA Provisional Credential Application
In addition to successful completion of the Level One training, the provisional application requires
Two letters of recommendation
Signed Youth Peer Advocate Code of Ethics
Statement of lived experience
Resume
Proof of age
The Youth Peer Advocate Provisional Credential is valid for 18 months and cannot be renewed.

8. Step 3: Level Two - Online
Modules:
Working Across Systems
Part 1: Service Systems
Part 2: Service Systems
Education Into Career
Understanding Marginalized Populations
Modules:
Working Across Systems
Part 1: Service Systems
Mental Health, Developmental Disability, Dual Diagnosis, Health
Part 2: Service Systems
Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, Addiction Recovery
Education Into Career
Understanding Marginalized Populations
LGBTQ+, Pregnant & Parenting, Immigrant, Homeless & Runaway, Youth with Special Healthcare Needs, Rural Youth

9. Step 4: Level Two – In-Person
Topics:
Introduction
Clarifying the YPA Role
Building Positive Connections
Mentoring & Coaching
Cultural Competence
Interdependence
Professional Expectations
All About You! (Wellness, Self-Care, YPA Career Track)
Trainings will be offered regionally.
Completion of online prior to attending in-person preferred, but not required.
Must complete in-person to gain access to consultation calls.

10. Step 5: Consultation Calls
Upon completion of Level 2 In-Person, YPAs will be provided information by their training facilitator to participate in consultation calls.
A minimum of 3 consultation calls must be completed.

11. Step 6: YPA Professional Credential Application
In addition to successful completion of Level 2 online and in-person trainings, the Professional application requires:
Letter of Recommendations from a supervisor
Signed Youth Peer Advocate Code of Ethics
600 hours of paid or formal volunteer work as a YPA
The Professional Youth Peer Advocate Credential is valid for 2 years and requires 20 hours of continuing education credits for renewal.

12. YPA Credential set to go live January 2019
Timeline Update
YPA Credential set to go live January 2019
Stay tuned for more details!

13. Support Available through YOUTH POWER!
Technical Assistance, Training, Networking

14. Technical Assistance Networking Education and support
What does YP! provide?
Technical Assistance Networking Education and support
MICA
*detailed in following slides

15. Technical Assistance
YP! Provides Technical Assistance in three key areas:
Supporting Self-Advocacy
Implementing Youth Peer Services
Increasing Youth-Guided Practice
MICA

16. YOUTH POWER! has supported YPAs and agencies to integrate services by:
Providing trainings to agencies on Youth Guided Practices
Supported the creation of the YPA job description
Supported agencies with interview questions and orientation of YPAs
Supported YPAs in structuring youth support groups
Collected feedback from YPAs to improve service
Brought agencies together to encourage strengthening YPA services
Created an assessment for the integration of YPAs into agencies
MICA

17. Regional Youth Partners
OMH
In five regions of the state YP! has one full-time employee that is a young adult with personal experience in receiving services from multiple state systems. The Regional Youth Partners are peer leaders that connect local youth groups, coordinate regional youth advocacy efforts and provide technical assistance and training on youth empowerment, youth-guided practice, and youth peer services. Check out YOUTHPOWERNY.ORG to contact any of the Regional Youth Partners!

18. Contact your local Regional Youth Partner for more info!
For Youth Peer Advocates:
Peer Leader Support and Development (PLSD)
The goal of PLSD is to offer support to Youth Peer Advocates (and those interested in becoming one) while building professional skills. This support should enhance each member’s ability to be an effective peer leader.
MICA
Contact your local Regional Youth Partner for more info!

19. Contact your local Regional Youth Partner for more info!
For Leaders of Youth Peer Advocates:
Youth Peer Advocate Leaders (YPAL)
YPAL brings together YPA supervisors, organizational leaders, and administration to address common issues in implementing youth peer services. Lessons learned and resources are shared across the region and statewide as a learning collaborative for implementation of Youth Peer Services.
MICA
YPAL Regional youth peer workforce coalition meetings (YPAL) for YPAs and their supervisors are also available across the state. Contact your local RYP for more information.
The goal of PLSD is to offer support to Youth Peer Advocates (and those interested in becoming one) while building professional skills. This support should enhance each member’s ability to be an effective peer leader.
Contact your local Regional Youth Partner for more info!

20. June 2019
Premiere youth peer conference
4 day conference modeled after the college experience
Major in Systems Advocacy or Peer Advocacy
Leaders’ Dinner with state government officials
Will be an opportunity for Continuing Education credits
Many networking opportunities with other YPAs!

21. www.youthpowerny.org Tip sheets Do’s and Don’ts of System Advocacy
Starting a Youth Advisory Council
Supporting and Fostering Youth Involvement
Guides
Youth Involvement toolkit
Supporting Self Advocacy
The How To’s of Youth Guided Practice
Webinars
Videos
MICA

22. Check out previous webinars:
Recordings of previous webinars are available on the CTAC website. How Can a YOUTH POWER! Help Your Organization Implement Youth Peer Services? Effectively and Employing and Supervising Youth Peer Advocates What is the Role of a Youth Peer Advocate?

23. Questions?
Brianna Gower Director of YOUTH POWER! Bianca Logan Youth Peer Development and Training Manager

24. Questions?

25. Thank You