Postsecondary Education Services

Service Description

Our Youth Peer Mentoring (YPM) Program is a dynamic, person-centered service designed to support students with disabilities as they navigate the transition from school to adult life. Through structured mentoring relationships, participants are paired with trained, certified peer mentors—young adults who share lived experiences with disability and have successfully navigated similar challenges in education, employment, and community settings. Together, mentors and mentees explore vital life skills, build confidence, and create an action plan that supports the student’s growth in areas such as self-advocacy, independent living, postsecondary education, and workforce readiness. Youth Peer Mentoring Program is a year long program that is administered virtually. Program requires a minimum of 20 hours hours per month. Schedule is flexible based on the schedules of program participants. Participants must have access to a computer or laptop with video capability and reliable Wi-Fi / internet. Tablets or phones are not recommended forms of participation as may not allow completion of the required activities and documents required to insure timely payment upon program completion. For participation in the program participants will receive the following incentive based on participant type. Mentor: $400 Visa Gift Card per month earned at a rate of $20 per hour completed and paid monthly. Mentee: $200 Visa Gift Card per month earned at a rate of $10 per hour completed and paid monthly. Eligibility: Mentee: • Must be between the ages of 14 and 21 years old; • Must be enrolled in a formal education program (secondary or postsecondary); and • Must have a documented disability (IEP, IPE, 504 Plan, or other acceptable documentation of the disability) Youth Peer Mentor: • Must be between 18 & 27 • Must be between the ages of 18 and 24 • Must have a documented disability or lived experience with disability • Must have successfully transitioned into adult life through: Employment, Postsecondary education/training, or Independent living • Must be able to relate to and support youth with disabilities • Must possess effective communication, problem-solving, and relationship-building skills • Must demonstrate reliability, professionalism, and maturity • Must pass a background screening, if required by the provider or VR • Must complete an approved Youth Peer Mentoring Certification Program to become a certified Make sure you complete referral form to secure your spot.