Employment Opportunities at NIYLP

Web of Life - Program Manager (Teen Pregnancy Prevention) -FT

The WOL PM will be responsible for management of a 5-year cooperative agreement with the Office of Adolescent Health. Based in Gallup, NM, the successful candidate will have 5 years experience in public health or as a health educator. A Bachelor's Degree is required for this position. Experience working with Native American youth is strongly desired and preference will be given to Native American candidates. Experience with outdoor education, experiential education, positive youth development, understanding of curriculum, budgets and the ability to develop strong community relationships is desired. $40k plus benefits. Must have valid drivers license and ability to pass local, state and federal background checks. Anticipated start date is January 17. Evenings, weekends and conference travel is required.

To apply: submit your resume and cover letter to hr@niylp.org Include your first initial, last name and the words "WOL Project Manager" in the subject line. Example: B Wonson, WOL Project Manager . Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Licensed Independent Social Worker or Licensed Eligible Therapist

The ideal candidate for this position will be a Native American clinician with training and experience working with Native American youth in an outdoor, experiential education program. The incumbent will be working at New Sunrise Regional Treatment Center in Acoma, NM with Native American youth from all areas of the Southwest Region. This position will coordinate and lead a team of Experiential Educators, Recreational Therapists and Probation Officers in the implementation of NIYLP's program model. This position requires in-school, after-school and weekend and overnight wilderness trips. Experience in Adventure Based Counseling is strongly desired. Required: Master's Level degree or higher within fields of Social Work, Psychology or Counseling. Valid NM Driver's License, ability to pass state and federal background checks. Clinical supervision is available by a Licensed Psychologist. Position requires strong leadership, flexibility, organization, desire to learn Project Venture model and strong interest in skill in outdoor education activities. Salary $46k and benefits. Anticipated start date: asap. This position is funded for approximately 18 months.

To apply: submit your resume and cover letter to hr@niylp.org Include your first initial, last name and the words "LISW" in the subject line. Example: B Wonson, LISW . Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Project Venture Community of Practice On-line Learning

Congratulations to the 14 communities who finished the first ever Intro to Project Venture on-line training series. Sponsored by SAMHSA and the National Network to Eliminate Disparities in Behavioral Health, the training happened over eight 2-hour sessions. Participants learned about the history of NIYLP, the Guiding Principles of Project Venture and the Full Value Commitment. They practiced creating PV Activity Plans and began developing year-long program plans.

Starting in December, the 20 participants will come together one time per month for technical assistance and consultation.

The sessions were facilitated by NIYLP Director of Operations, Beth Wonson. Presenters from the NIYLP team included Mac Hall (founder & Executive Director), Bart Crawford, Dr. Susan Carter, Devin Seowtewa, Ben Soce, Raelynn Cachini, Neal Ferris and Beth Wonson.

NIYLP is deeply appreciative to the NNED and to SAMHSA for support of this project.

To learn more about the NNED Community of Practice contact Rachele Espiritu respiritu@changematrix.org .

CDC identifies "Connectedness" as Strategic Direction for the Prevention of Suicidal Behavior

The Center for Disease Control has determined that promoting and strengthening “connectedness” is important in the prevention of suicidal behavior.

Suicide is the 3^rd leading cause of death in 15-24 year olds. For Native youth, the death rate is 1.8 times higher than the national average. For every 1 person who takes their own life, a minimum of six survivors are struggling to cope. In 2007, there was an equivalent of 94 suicides per day in the US.

Components of Connectedness as identified by the CDC:

· BBetween individuals: Greater degrees of social integration (number of friends or social interactions; lower levels of social isolation).

· BBetween individuals and family/community: Positive attachments fostering a sense of belonging and value and access to larger support group.

· BBetween community organizations: Collaboration and partnerships between youth servicing agencies.

The National Cross-Site Study of High Risk Youth Demonstration Programs, funded by SAMHSA, indicates that Project Venture ( an evidence-based program NREPP) focuses on “Connectedness Building” through outdoor education, team building, trust building, service to community and nature, meaningful relationships, caring and cooperative community building, connection to culture and tradition.

In addition to supporting the implementation and sustainability of PV programs, NIYLP’s consultation team is a resource to communities to build capacity/collaborations for readiness to implement evidence-based prevention approaches.

PV is currently being implemented as a component of a community wide suicide prevention program. A new PV implementation is being planned in Thoreau, NM and funded through OptumHealth New Mexico, a small community which has suffered a high number of teen suicides in 2010.

NIYLP founder and PV developer McClellan Hall has been appointed to the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, Executive Committee.

For more information, info@niylp.org