Youth Well-Being Strategy Fellow

Full Position Description
Youth Well-Being Strategy Fellow

Overview: Over 115 community organizations supported by 12 funders have come together to develop a 10-year plan to improve outcomes for young people in Greater Cincinnati around youth mental health and well-being. To ensure youth and young adult voices are centered in the process, individuals between the ages of 14-24 are invited to apply for a paid fellowship opportunity to advance the development of a regional strategy in support of youth mental health and well-being in Greater Cincinnati.

Fellowship Key Details

Ages: 14-24

Numbers: Up to 15 Fellows will be selected

Duration: The Fellowship will be approximately 6 months from March - August 2024

Applicant Demographics: To ensure the strategy can improve youth well-being across the board, we are seeking to recruit an intentionally diverse group of Fellows from across the Greater Cincinnati Region to include urban, suburban, rural perspectives, with a priority to ensure the voices of Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, and young people who have experienced systems of care are included amongst the selected Fellows.

Hours/month: 20-25 hours per month

Rate: $20/hr

Facilitation Team: Youth At The Center, Shawn Jeffers & Tynisha Worthy

Application Information: www.youthatthecenter.org/fellowship

Application Deadline: February 4

Info Sessions: Jan 23, Noon (Virtual); Jan 24, 6pm (Youth At The Center Office)

Position Details/Typical Work Activities

Specific work activities and responsibilities will vary depending on the priority area(s) selected by the Fellows. Typical duties and projects for Fellows include:

·       Orientation and continued training to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to carry out the strategy development process

·       Meet at least once weekly for training and planning sessions to identify one or more priorities for the strategic plan

·       Provide feedback and perspective to the adults serving on the project Steering Committee and/or Workgroups and participate in joint strategy sessions with those groups

·       Conduct community outreach, surveys, focus groups, and engagement activities to collect information from other youth and young adults from the region

·       Make recommendations to ensure mental health systems are youth centered

·       Opportunities for personal and professional development through coaching, training, job shadowing, and hands-on experiences

·       Public Speaking & Advocacy opportunities to share findings with decision makers

Key Qualities

While each Fellow will bring their own background, beliefs, and experiences to share, below are key qualities Fellows should possess.

·       Interest in creating a healthier community for young people

·       Flexible schedule that allows for regular participation in meetings and events

·       Willingness to engage in courageous conversations around mental health, stigma, historical inequities

·       Desire to work collaboratively with other Fellows

·       Ability to engage peers and community members

Opportunities for Training and Skill Development

Fellows will receive training to develop their skills and equip them with the knowledge to aid their efforts in developing the strategy, including:

·       Community Building

·       Understanding Leadership Styles

·       Identifying Strengths

·       Project Planning/Event Planning

·       Conflict Management/ Giving & Receiving Feedback

·       Effective Communication/Public Speaking

·       Asset-Based Community Engagement/Asset Mapping

·       Grounding in Community Research Practices: Youth-Led Programs and Youth Participatory Action Research

Additional Opportunities

·       Fellows will meet monthly with Steering Committee and Workgroups to ensure alignment of strategies

·       Professional Development Opportunities – Fellows will have the opportunity to identify personal and professional goals and potential for job shadowing

·       Survey/Focus Group of Peers – Fellows will be working independently for a portion of their hours to collect data and feedback from peers

·       Community Building/Exposure Opportunities

Coaching/Check-Ins

Fellows will also be provided coaching and check-ins with facilitators/mentors to support their personal and professional growth

Meeting Locations/Timing

Applicants will be notified of acceptance late February. Orientation is tentatively scheduled for the week of March 4-9 held in Youth At The Center offices located downtown Cincinnati. Additional meetings will be held in person at locations around the region to allow Fellows to increase exposure and better understand the range of services available to our region. If needed, bus passes or transportation stipends can be provided to ensure transportation is not a barrier to participation