Specifications include, but are not limited to: Youth Advocate • Be familiar with youth who experience mental health challenges and with the Juvenile Justice system, unique population; • Provide crisis safety planning in the community; • Possess the ability to connect young people to resources in the community, including creative ideas on how to keep youth connected to their community long term; • Possess the ability to develop trusting relationships with this population; and • Possess the ability to encourage and motivate young people to engage in services and be a liaison between mental health services and the young person. Peer to Peer Support Services • Develop and implement peer support programs tailored to the unique needs of justice-connected youth; • Train and certify peer mentors to facilitate support groups and one-on-one interactions. • Establish communication channels (online platforms, helplines, etc.) for peer-to-peer engagement; and • Regularly assess the impact and effectiveness of peer support programs. Parent Advocate • Ideally, be someone with lived experience and/or knowledge of mental health and JJ systems; and • Possess the knowledge of community resources. Family to Family Support Services • Develop and deliver resources for parents or caregivers of justice-connected youth with mental health challenges; • Provide training sessions, workshops, or support groups for parents to share experiences and insights; • Establish a helpline or online forum for parents to seek guidance and support; and • Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of parent-to-parent support initiatives. Family Support Specialists • Work with families to strengthen familial bonds and address any challenges; and • Provide parenting skills training and support to enhance family dynamics. Mental Health Services • Provide assessments and counseling services to address underlying mental health issues; and • Assist in developing strategies to enhance the youth's emotional well-being
