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Mental Health Promoter – Transition Age Youth Street Outreach & Community Engagement
Work Arrangement : Hybrid

The Mental Health Promoter – Transition Age Youth (TAY) serves as a vital bridge between young people ages 16–25 and the mental health resources they need to thrive. Working primarily in non-traditional settings including streets, shelters, schools, parks, encampments, drop-in centers, and online spaces. This role focuses on building trust with young people who face significant barriers to accessing conventional mental health care, including those experiencing homelessness, aging out of foster care, involved in the juvenile or criminal justice system, navigating substance use challenges, or facing social marginalization.

The ideal candidate is compassionate, resilient, and deeply committed to meeting young people where they are — both literally and figuratively — using a harm reduction, trauma-informed, and youth-centered approach that honors their autonomy, identity, and emerging adulthood.

Responsibilities

Street Outreach & Direct Engagement

• Conduct regular, scheduled street outreach in assigned geographic areas to identify and engage Transition Age Youth in need of mental health support. 
• Build authentic, trust-based relationships with TAY experiencing homelessness, housing instability, mental health crises, or substance use challenges — with particular sensitivity to the unique vulnerabilities of young people in transition. 
• Provide immediate, compassionate support during mental health crises and facilitate warm handoffs to crisis intervention teams, youth-specific emergency services, or appropriate care as needed. 
• Distribute harm reduction supplies, hygiene kits, and youth-relevant informational resources on mental health services, housing, and basic needs. 
• Conduct informal wellness checks and consistent follow-up visits with young people already engaged in outreach. 

Mental Health Education & Promotion

• Facilitate psychoeducation conversations and informal workshops tailored to TAY on topics including stress management, coping skills, identity and self-worth, healthy relationships, trauma awareness, and available resources. 
• Develop and distribute culturally responsive, age-appropriate educational materials suited to the literacy levels, languages, and communication styles of the young people served — including digital and social media formats. 
• Reduce mental health stigma through youth-led community conversations, peer storytelling, and awareness campaigns that resonate with TAY culture and experience. 
• Promote protective factors such as social connection, self-care, community belonging, and future-orientation among young people. 

Resource Navigation & Case Support

• Screen TAY for mental health needs and connect them to appropriate services including counseling, psychiatric care, transitional housing, substance use treatment, primary care, education, and employment support. 
• Assist young people in navigating complex service systems including insurance enrollment, benefit applications, Medi-Cal/Medicaid transitions, and appointment scheduling — recognizing that many TAY are doing this for the first time without family support. 
• Maintain ongoing communication with case managers, school counselors, probation officers, social workers, foster care liaisons, and clinical staff to ensure continuity of care across systems. 
• Advocate on behalf of young community members to reduce barriers to access and prevent service gaps during critical transitions. 

Community Engagement & Partnerships

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with youth-serving organizations, schools, community colleges, workforce development programs, faith communities, juvenile justice agencies, foster care systems, and government partners. 
• Represent the organization at community events, health fairs, youth coalition meetings, and stakeholder convenings focused on TAY well-being. 
• Mobilize young people as partners and leaders in mental health promotion efforts, amplifying youth voice in program design and advocacy. 
• Engage community leaders, influencers, and trusted adults in young people's lives to extend mental health messaging and resource awareness. 

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate and timely records of outreach contacts, services provided, referrals made, and follow-up actions in the designated data management system. 
• Prepare regular reports on outreach activities, service trends, and the evolving needs of TAY in the community. 
• Participate in team meetings, case conferences, and supervision sessions. 
• Contribute to program evaluation and continuous quality improvement efforts with a TAY equity lens. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, Human Services, or a related field preferred; equivalent lived and professional experience considered. 
• Minimum 2 years of experience in community outreach, youth services, peer support, or a related role working with adolescents or young adults. 
• Lived experience as a Transition Age Youth, including experience with foster care, juvenile justice, homelessness, mental health challenges, or substance use, is highly valued and strongly encouraged to apply. 
• Strong interpersonal, active listening, and de-escalation skills — with a natural ability to connect with young people and build trust quickly. 
• Understanding of adolescent and young adult development, including identity formation, risk-taking behavior, and the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). 
• Ability to work independently in dynamic, unpredictable field environments while maintaining professional boundaries appropriate for work with young people. 
• Proficiency in basic computer applications, data entry, and digital communication platforms commonly used by youth. 
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation (if applicable). 
• Bilingual or multilingual candidates strongly encouraged to apply. 
• Familiarity with local social services landscape, youth housing programs, TAY-specific mental health systems, and transition-age resources.