Position Title: Youth Peer Advocate

Department: Adolescent Skills Center

Reports to: Program Director

Location: New York, NY; Onsite

Schedule: Full-time; Monday-Friday 9am-5pm; 2 days in Queens and 3 days in Lower Manhattan

Pay range: $29.23 to $32.98/hour

Travel: 0-10%

Vibrant Emotional Health’s groundbreaking solutions have delivered high quality services and support, when, where and how people need it for over 50 years. Through our state-of-the-art technology-enabled services, community wellness programs, and advocacy and education work, we are building a society in which emotional wellness can be a reality for everyone.

Position Overview:

To advocate for youth participants and ensure that their voices are heard and goals clearly articulated. The Peer Youth Advocate will be responsible for engaging youth in order to assist them in identifying their needs as well as achieving their goals. The Peer Youth Advocate will be an integral part of the Adolescent Skills Center team and will participate in supportive, recreational and educational activities offered to youth participants. The main focus will be to advocate for youth in all aspects of the work and supporting them through a strength-based approach.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Serves as a role model for Adolescent Skills Center program participants
Work in collaboration with ASC staff in engaging youth in planning their own care and advocating for their voices to be heard.
The ability to share personal knowledge and experiences about the youth serving systems and resources available to youth in NYC.
Provides support to ASC staff with co-facilitation of daily group activities.
Provide support to youth at appointments, community and family meetings when necessary
Provides youth with public health and psycho-education regarding mental health and topics that directly relate to youth or hot topics in the community.
Assists in the organization of social, recreational and educational activities
Represent the interests of participant youth with emotional/behavioral challenges in a variety of public forums and advisory groups.
Promote problem solving and decision-making skill development, particularly in the three domains of the ASC, (education, vocation and social-emotional wellness)
Carry a case load of Vocational and D-75 Students. Manage charts and ensure all documentation is up to date.
Additional duties as assigned

Required Skills/Abilities:

Decision Making:

Identifies multi-faceted problems affecting achievement of individual goals and provides solutions.
Decisions have minor organizational impact that may require consultation with internal and external stakeholders regarding issues, possible solutions and implementation of alternatives.
Analyzes and interprets issues, realigns responsibilities, commits resources and proposes alternative solutions.
Implements solutions for minor projects after approval; held accountable if no action is taken.
Multi-factor decision- making requiring research and analysis, subject to supervisory guidance.

Required Qualifications:

Experience with the mental health system as a consumer, family member or educational experience
Completion of a High School Diploma or GED; Some college or college intentions preferred
Basic knowledge of Microsoft office
Ability to develop new skills in public speaking
Basic knowledge of the child/youth serving systems of NYC
Basic advocacy and empowerment skills
Bilingual and bicultural candidates are encouraged to apply
Candidates possessing exceptional skill but not all of the qualifications are also encouraged to apply

Physical Requirements:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer

We determine base pay through a comprehensive review of skills, experience, education, certifications, geographic location, and other relevant factors. The range listed reflects the compensation parameters for the role and does not represent the full compensation package. A complete overview of compensation and benefits will be provided by the Talent Acquisition team during the hiring process.

Full time employees will be eligible for excellent comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, supplemental income insurance, employer paid disability insurance, employer paid life insurance, pre-tax FSA for medical and dependent care, and 401K available.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. Vibrant will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Vibrant Emotional Health is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to veteran status, uniformed service member status, race, creed, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, marital status, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, caregiver status or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Please be aware that fictitious job openings, consulting engagements, solicitations, or employment offers may be circulated on the Internet in an attempt to obtain privileged information, or to induce you to pay a fee for services related to recruitment or training. Vibrant does NOT charge any application, processing, or training fee at any stage of the recruitment or hiring process. All genuine job openings will be posted on our careers page and all communications from the Vibrant recruiting team and/or hiring managers will be from an @vibrant.org email address.

About the company

Vibrant Emotional Health provides mental health support and advocacy, offering crisis hotlines and online tools to help people manage emotional well-being. It grew from the Mental Health Association of New York City and now uses technology to deliver support and reduce stigma, aiming to make emotional health a normal part of everyday life. In 2024, it expanded by acquiring Stars of HOPE, adding a therapeutic arts program for disaster survivors to reach people in more difficult times. The organization is distinguished by its long history of advocacy, its broad national reach, and its combination of direct services with digital resources and partnerships. Its goal is to provide accessible, reliable support for mental health and crisis needs, wherever and whenever it is required.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

1969

Get referred to Vibrant Emotional Health

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

SAMHSA awarded Vibrant $255 million on May 15, 2026, extending the 988 contract.
B-LINE launched February 3, 2026, opening a new vertical with Backline.
September 8, 2026 HHS grants added $252 million for 988 capacity and mobile crisis services.

What critics are saying

Vibrant depends on federal SAMHSA funding for nearly all core revenue through 2031.
Grassroots Crisis Intervention layoffs in August 2026 show subaward renewals can vanish abruptly.
Interim 988 Program Director Wendy Martinez Farmer, named August 27, 2026, signals operational turnover; losing 988 would be existential.

What makes Vibrant Emotional Health unique

Vibrant runs the national 988 Lifeline under SAMHSA’s five-year agreement starting May 15, 2026.
It combines hotline operations, georouting, and 200-plus local crisis centers into one network.
Its crisis infrastructure spans 988, Disaster Distress Helpline, Veterans Crisis Line, and NYC 988.

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Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Disability Insurance
Life Insurance
Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

16%

1 year growth

16%

2 year growth

16%

Cases

Oct 15th, 2026

CASES welcomes Lisa Jones and Mandy Tenner to Board of Trustees.

CASES welcomes Lisa Jones and Mandy Tenner to Board of Trustees. CASES is excited to welcome two new members to the CASES Board of Trustees: Lisa Jones, a behavioral health executive who has led crisis services for more than 20 years, and Mandy Tenner, executive vice president and chief legal officer of Amalgamated Bank. Both bring experience that speaks directly to its work. Jones has built and overseen crisis and behavioral health systems, including clinical quality for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Tenner brings nearly a decade of legal and governance leadership at a mission-driven bank. "Lisa and Mandy bring exactly the kind of experience CASES needs in the years ahead," said CASES CEO Jonathan McLean. "Lisa has spent her career building crisis and behavioral health systems that meet people at their hardest moments, and Mandy brings deep legal and governance expertise from a mission-driven financial institution. Together, they will help us strengthen the services that keep New Yorkers out of jail and connected to care." Lisa Jones. Jones, a licensed clinical social worker, is founder and principal of AC Standard PLLC, where she provides interim executive leadership, governance advisory services and executive coaching. She currently serves as interim chief program officer for 180 Turning Lives Around, a New Jersey agency serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Jones spent a decade at Vibrant Emotional Health, rising to chief compliance and quality officer and head of equity. There, she helped grow the agency's behavioral health hotline and contact center from $1.2 million to more than $30 million, built its first corporate compliance department and led clinical quality oversight for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Earlier in her career, Jones directed a community residence for adolescents licensed by the New York State Office of Mental Health at the Institute for Community Living. She also audited psychiatric facilities in several states as a clinical compliance consultant and provided clinical care to children and adolescents in hospitals in New York, Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Jones earned a master's degree in social work from Howard University and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Pennsylvania State University. She completed the Executive Leadership in the Not-for-Profit Sector program at the NYU Silver School of Social Work. She also maintains a private psychotherapy practice in Brooklyn and Queens. Mandy Tenner. Tenner has served as executive vice president and chief legal officer of Amalgamated Bank since December 2023. She joined the bank in April 2016 as assistant general counsel and was promoted to deputy general counsel in 2018 and to executive vice president and general counsel in 2022. Before joining Amalgamated, Tenner served as counsel for ContourGlobal, a global power company, from 2010 to 2016. Earlier in her career, she worked in the Leveraged Debt Group at Guggenheim Partners. Tenner serves on the advisory board of Bank on Women, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing the number of qualified women in community banking leadership. She holds a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Brandeis University, a master's degree in French from Middlebury College and a law degree from Brooklyn Law School. Please join CASES in welcoming Lisa Jones and Mandy Tenner to the CASES Board of Trustees.

The Gazette

Sep 8th, 2026

Foundation 2 Crisis Services CEO to step down Sept. 25.

Foundation 2 Crisis Services CEO to step down Sept. 25. Emily Blomme is departing for another position after working with the organization for 12 years. * Fern Alling The Gazette * sep 8, 2026 updated 20 mins ago. The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced. CEDAR RAPIDS - Foundation 2 Crisis Services CEO Emily Blomme is leaving the organization Sept. 25, according to a Wednesday news release. In a post on LinkedIn, Blomme said she is leaving to become the assistant vice president of Vibrant Emotional Health, the 988 Lifeline national administrator. Foundation 2 Crisis Services is one of Iowa's two 988 providers. The other is CommUnity Crisis Services in Iowa City. Blomme said leaving the culture she's worked hard to build at Foundation 2 Crisis Services will be challenging, but the new position is a natural step in her career. "Leading this organization - it's my largest professional accomplishment, and it's been incredible to be here and watch it grow and change, and I'm so ridiculously proud of it," Blomme said in an interview. "My hope is that I'll be able to enact change on a national level that will positively impact Iowa centers and other centers across the country" COO Erin Langdon will serve as interim CEO while the Foundation 2 Crisis Services board of directors searches for a replacement. A spokesperson with the mental health and suicide prevention nonprofit said there is no set timeline for the search. Blomme worked at Foundation 2 Crisis Services for 12 years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 derecho in Cedar Rapids. Blomme helped grow the organization from 74 to 220 employees during her tenure, and increased its budget from an initial $2.2 million to $14 million. Blomme said her most meaningful accomplishment at Foundation 2 is the culture of support and transparency she helped to build. "There are so many things I can be proud of, but the culture we have built here is the thing I am the most proud of and the thing that will be most challenging for me to leave," Blomme said. Foundation 2 Crisis Services offers workplace mental health and suicide prevention trainings, runs an emergency youth shelter for people 11 to 17 years old and collaborates with other groups like local police departments to provide appropriate crisis response. It provides 24/7 crisis phone services at 319-362-2174. Fern Alling is a general assignment reporter for The Gazette. They can be reached at [email protected] or 319-398-8331.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

May 15th, 2026

SAMHSA awards $255 million to administer 988 Lifeline.

SAMHSA awards $255 million to administer 988 Lifeline. WASHINGTON - May 15, 2026 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced today that it has awarded $255 million to Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant) to administer the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The 988 Lifeline is a national network of more than 200 local crisis contact centers managed by a SAMHSA-funded network administrator. The 988 Lifeline has received more than 25 million contacts via call, text, chat, and ASL videophone since its launch. "HHS is committed to making sure every American facing a mental health or substance use crisis can reach the 988 Lifeline and get immediate help," said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. "The 988 Lifeline saves lives, strengthens families, and reminds Americans that they are never alone in their darkest moments." "The 988 Lifeline Administrator plays a key role in ensuring reliable and effective service for anyone in crisis," said SAMHSA Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Christopher D. Carroll. "Every time someone reaches out to 988, whether it's a mental health crisis or seeking help for a substance use disorder, a direct connection to immediate support and resources is there to help them through their most difficult moments." Award grantee Vibrant is a non-profit affiliate of Mental Health America of New York City, which helped launch the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255 (TALK), in January 2005 through a federal grant from SAMHSA. In 2022, SAMHSA awarded Vibrant a five-year grant to manage the initial transition to 988 and to administer the Lifeline. In 2020, President Trump signed into law the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act that established 988 as the universal, 3-digit number for anyone in the U.S. experiencing a mental health, substance use or suicidal crisis to get help. After completing the preparation required to build out this national system, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline officially launched in July 2022. The 988 Lifeline offers an easy way for anyone to reach skilled, caring, culturally competent crisis counselors 24/7 for help with a mental health, suicide or substance use crisis. People can call or text 988 or use chat at 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need help. Individuals requesting ASL services can also directly dial 988 from a videophone through a video relay service provider. Studies show that after speaking with a trained crisis counselor, most people who contact 988 are significantly more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, and less overwhelmed. SAMHSA additionally announced more than $28 million in new funding opportunities, including the following: * $43 million for CMHI, a program that provides comprehensive community mental health services to children, youth, and young adults, birth through age 21 with a serious emotional disturbance (SED), which may include efforts to identify and serve children at risk, and their families. * $15.1 million for Garrett Lee Smith State/Tribal Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention, which supports states and tribes in implementing youth suicide prevention and early intervention strategies. * $8 million for Community Programs for Youth and Young Adults at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis (CHR-P), which identifies youth and young adults, age 25 and younger, at clinical high risk for psychosis and provides evidence-based interventions to prevent the onset of psychosis or lessen the severity of psychotic disorder. * $3 million for Providers Clinical Support System - Substance Use Disorder Treatment (PCSS-SUD Treatment), which combines two previous grants - Providers Clinical Support System - Medications for Alcohol Use Disorders (PCSS-MAUD) and Providers Clinical Support System - Medications for Opioid Use Disorders (PCSS-MOUD) - into a comprehensive program that focuses on provider education and support for substance use disorders. * $2 million for the Disaster Distress Helpline, a national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. The helpline, available via 1-800-985-5990 or www.samhsa.gov/ddh, provides 24/7, toll-free, confidential crisis counseling to individuals in the U.S. and its territories experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. Recent data from SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health underscore the critical need for crisis services, including 988, in the U.S. In the past year, an estimated 14.3 million adults, aged 18 and older, had serious thoughts of suicide, 4.6 million made a suicide plan, and 2.2 million attempted suicide. In addition, 8.2% of adults aged 18 and older (21.2 million people) experienced a major depressive episode, and 16.8% of individuals ages 12 and older (48.4 million people) had a past-year substance use disorder. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. To locate a treatment facility or provider, visit FindTreatment.gov. Last revised: May 15, 2026 Related press releases. Content last reviewed May 15, 2026

The Violin Channel

Mar 25th, 2026

A new 24/7 Mental Health and Crisis Support Line launched for the music industry.

A new 24/7 Mental Health and Crisis Support Line launched for the music industry. Vibrant Emotional Health and Backline has partnered to create a round-the-clock support line designed specifically for the music industry Two leading mental health non-profits Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant) and Backline, have now partnered to create B-LINE, a 24/7 Mental Health and Crisis Support Line for music industry professionals. Offering immediate confidential support from trained counselors who understand and can relate to the realities of working in music, B-LINE reflects Backline's work in expanding mental health support for a workforce that frequently operates on the road and outside traditional systems of care. Artists, crew members, staff, executives, and family members can connect to B-LINE by calling 1-855-BLINE99 or texting (254-639) BLINE9. Since 2019, Backline has invested $3.5 million in mental health and wellness initiatives for the music industry and has supported more than 84,000 people. The launch of B-LINE is a continuation of Backline's support for urgent situations requiring immediate support, and addresses the need for a real-time crisis line for the music community. In addition to B-LINE, Backline's trusted online resource hub will continue to be available here. The service offers ongoing mental health information, referrals, and support. B-LINE's programs complement Vibrant's broader portfolio of crisis response services and mental health programs - together, the organizations are working to strengthen the mental health safety net for the music industry, and ensure the accessibility of support. "Mental health crisis doesn't wait for business hours, and neither should access to care," said Cara A. McNulty, DPA, CEO of Vibrant. "This collaboration reflects our commitment to providing care that is compassionate, accessible, and responsive to lived experience. It is another example of how partnerships can close gaps in access." "Our teams worked closely with Backline to design and operationalize a support model that truly serves the music industry," added Michele Giordano, Vice President, Contact Services at Vibrant. "B-LINE brings together trusted partners and trained counselors to provide timely, informed support for individuals and families whenever they reach out." "This [collaboration] has always been the dream," expressed Backline's Co-Founder and Executive Director Hilary Gleason. "We've supported thousands of music industry professionals in their mental health and wellness journeys, but one critical piece was missing: real-time access to care. B-LINE changes that."

PR Newswire

Feb 3rd, 2026

Backline Launches B-LINE: A 24/7 Mental Health and Crisis Support Line for the Music Industry, in Partnership with Vibrant Emotional Health

Backline launches B-LINE: A 24/7 mental health and crisis support line for the music industry, in partnership with Vibrant Emotional Health. News provided by. New service offers phone and text-based support with direct pathways to care NEW YORK, Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant), one of the nation's leading mental health organizations, has partnered with Backline, the nonprofit dedicated to connecting music industry professionals and their families with mental health and wellness resources, to launch B-LINE, a 24/7 mental health and crisis support line designed specifically for the music industry. B-LINE offers immediate confidential support from trained counselors who understand the realities of working in music. Artists, crew members, staff, executives, and family members can connect by calling 1-855-BLINE99 or texting (254-639) BLINE9. The launch of B-LINE reflects Backline's commitment to expanding mental health support for a workforce that frequently operates on the road and outside traditional systems of care. "Mental health crisis doesn't wait for business hours, and neither should access to care," said Cara A. McNulty, DPA, Chief Executive Officer of Vibrant Emotional Health. "This collaboration reflects our commitment to providing care that is compassionate, accessible, and responsive to lived experience. It is another example of how partnerships can close gaps in access." "Our teams worked closely with Backline to design and operationalize a support model that truly serves the music industry," said Michele Giordano, Vice President, Contact Services at Vibrant Emotional Health. "B-LINE brings together trusted partners and trained counselors to provide timely, informed support for individuals and families whenever they reach out." Since 2019, Backline has invested $3.5 million in mental health and wellness initiatives for the music industry and has supported more than 84,000 people. Backline's team continues to encounter urgent situations requiring immediate support, reinforcing the need for a dedicated, real-time crisis line for the music community. Backline's Co-Founder and Executive Director Hilary Gleason said the launch of B-LINE represents a long-held vision becoming reality. "This has always been the dream. We've supported thousands of music industry professionals in their mental health and wellness journeys, but one critical piece was missing: real-time access to care. B-LINE changes that." As part of this effort, Backline's trusted online resource hub will continue to be available at backline.care, offering ongoing mental health information, referrals, and support for the music community. B-LINE complements Vibrant's broader portfolio of crisis response services and innovative mental health programs that collectively deliver life-saving support to millions each year through numerous lifelines, community-based initiatives, and system-level advocacy. Together, Vibrant and Backline are working to strengthen the mental health safety net for the music industry, ensuring support is accessible whenever it is needed. About Vibrant Emotional Health Vibrant Emotional Health is a non-profit organization that helps individuals and families achieve emotional wellbeing. For over 55 years, our groundbreaking solutions have delivered high-quality services and support when, where, and how people need it. We offer confidential emotional support through our state-of-the-art contact center and crisis hotline services that use leading-edge telephone, text, and web-based technologies, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Disaster Distress Helpline, and Veterans Crisis Line. Through our community wellness programs, individuals and families obtain the support and skills they need to thrive. Our advocacy and education initiatives promote mental well-being as a social responsibility. We help millions of people live healthier and more vibrant lives yearly. We're advancing access, dignity, and respect for all and revolutionizing the system for good. Visit vibrant.org. Follow Vibrant on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X. SOURCE Vibrant Emotional Health

Vibrant Emotional Health

Youth Peer Advocate

About the job