Youth Support Specialist
Youth Support Specialist for youth in foster care. BA degree or related experience required. www.fosterforward.net for details. Cover letter/resume by 9/2 to victoria.ferrara@fosterforward.net EOE
The Youth Support Specialist will work with youth ages 18-21 who are part of the Voluntary Extension of Care with DCYF to assist DCYF in meeting youth’s transition plan goals by providing resources and opportunities to increase permanency and self-sufficiency as the young people transition into adulthood. The role of the Youth Support Specialist is to provide focused, individualized, youth-driven services and supports that help youth: locate safe and affordable housing; identify employment and/or enroll in an educational program; address healthcare needs, mental health and substance abuse issues; manage interpersonal relationships; learn daily living skills; access community-based supports. The Youth Support Specialist will provide these supports in a developmentally appropriate way, helping youth to build protective and promotive factors, while simultaneously reducing risk factors. The Youth Support Specialist will help youth build on their own strengths, encourage youth to make informed decisions, and help them navigate various complex social systems.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Meet with youth and their self-identified team when newly assigned to help youth develop timelines for transition plan goal achievement.
- Collaborate with DCYF YDS workers, clinicians, family, caregivers, and other providers as appropriate to help support youth in attainment of goals.
- Work with youth to identify current and past connections that help the youth know where they can build on or re-engage with existing connections. Work with that youth to successfully reengage as appropriate, building social capital across four communities – family, school, neighborhood, and peers.
- Assist youth with finding and maintaining safe housing.
- Empower youth to engage and complete educational programs as appropriate.
- Coach youth in establishing and sustaining employment experiences that help build self-sufficiency skills.
- Work with youth to enroll them in the ASPIRE financial capability program, serving as the financial coach for youth to open an IDA, set savings goals, and save and match for durable assets.
- Produce written court reports and attend all family court hearings
- Attend DCYF VEC 6 month case reviews
- Maintain regular contact and meeting schedule with youth in a manner that is flexible, community-based as much as possible, and that supports the youths’ achievements of goals.
- Provide services on a 24/7/365 basis either in person or via text/phone/social media
- Work as part of a team to offer other educational and/or health or behavioral health services for youth as needs are identified.
- Maintain all casefiles – electronic and paper – as required – inclusive of Foster Forward and DCYF’s data systems.
- Participate in staff trainings, agency events, and promotional opportunities as required.
- Other duties as required.
Required: Bachelor’s Degree in social services/education or related experience; proven experience relating to adolescents and adults from a variety of backgrounds; ability to navigate complex systems; experience working one-on-one with clients helping to set and achieve goals; ability to set and maintain boundaries; attention to detail; organized and able to accurately plan work and tasks; adaptable; pass a criminal background check; flexible schedule and reliable transportation, travel around state is required to meet with clients in the community.
We are an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act) with respect to employment opportunities.