Portage County Mentoring

Description

Northwest Community Partners in a collaborative effort with a county Department of Human Services (DHS) provides Mentoring, Daily Living Skills Education and Respite services for children and families that reside within the respective county.

Mentor Job Description

The Mentor meets with a designated youth in a structured partnership that focuses on the needs of the mentored participants while fostering a supportive and positive relationship. Within the mentoring relationship, the goal will be for the Mentor to facilitate and promote connections to the youth’s natural supports in his/her community and encourage independence in daily living skills. The Mentor is responsible for assisting in developing the Mentor Plan with the team and implementing the plan. The goal is for the relationship to last at least a year; however, matches can be for the duration of the school year if you are unavailable in the summer.

Mentors meet one to two times per week with their mentee doing various activities in the community, including, but not limited to, bowling, miniature golfing, trampoline parks, hiking, movies, and baking while working on goals such as improving social skills, safety awareness, and the ability to manage emotions. You will collaborate with the program director to choose mentees that best fit your personality/interests/experience goals. This position is highly flexible in allowing you to choose as little or as many hours as you want, and shifts can be built around your other work/school/life schedules. Starting pay varies depending on child's needs and mentor's experience level. Minimum hourly rate begins at $18/hr. In addition to the hourly pay rate, there is a budget for activities as well as mileage reimbursement.

Mentor Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Meet with youth on a regular basis to increase functional capacities that will lead to independence and help connect them to natural supports in their community
• Attend the initial meeting with family, referring social worker, and Program Director to assist in creating the client’s Mentoring Plan
• Plan community outings and activities in cooperation with the mentee and his/her family.
• Understand and implement client’s Mentoring Plan
• Document each meeting with the mentee according to program standards
• Regularly communicate with mentee’s parent/guardian and Program Director
• May need to communicate with Social Worker—following conversation with the Program Director—regarding child’s progress
• Receive and participate in ongoing training with Program Director
• Participate in regular supervision with Program Director which will take place individually as well as in groups.
• Present yourself in a professional manner when representing Northwest Community Partners with the mentee, the mentee’s family, and within the community
• When transporting the child and/or adolescent, the Mentor is personally responsible for abiding by all state traffic rules and regulations and following agency transportation policies and procedures.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications - Education and/or Experience for Positions:

• Possess some educational knowledge of children with developmental disabilities (DD) and severe emotional disturbance (SED).
• Possess some work experience working primarily with children and families, including programs dealing with mental health, Autism, and DD.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of child mental health, adult mental health, and AODA services
• Knowledge of social, emotional, and physical behavior needs
• Ability to build and maintain rapport with clients and families
• Knowledge of community resources
• Knowledge of guidelines for ethical and professional conduct
• Ability to respond appropriately and effectively in crisis situations
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to communicate clearly in oral and written form
• Ability to relate with others in a credible and cooperative manner
• Ability to assess client problems and determine service delivery needs
• Ability to work well with a divergent group of people
• Ability to relate and work with co-workers and organizations
• Ability to maintain regular, consistent, and reliable attendance

Special Requirements:

• Must be a licensed driver and have access to an insured vehicle.
• Transport clients in personal vehicle as required.