Ambassadors For Christ Youth Ministries, Inc. (AFC) is a model 501(c)3 nonprofit organization formed in 2006 for the purpose of providing multifaceted prevention and intervention programs for at-risk, underprivileged, and displaced youth. AFC has provided service as an outlet and platform for growth to over 16,000 at risk youth in partnership with schools, churches, and other community serving youth programs throughout the Houston, Texas, and Pine Bluff/Little Rock, Arkansas areas for more than 15 years. AFC's overarching goal is to inspire excellence and promote leadership in youth, regardless of their backgrounds, through the implementation of multifaceted youth development programs centered around homelessness prevention, mental health and substance use prevention/intervention, and the overall reduction of sexual and other risky behaviors.

We are presently seeking candidates with excellent skills and experience working with at-risk youth to serve as Case-Managers for all of our youth prevention, intervention, treatment, and referral programs. The Case Managers will facilitate intake and assessments, referrals, outreach, recruitment and retention efforts, and will report to the programs’ Project Managers. All positions are salary/full-time .

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conducts client screenings for service needs and potential program participation
• Accomplishes clients’ care by assessing treatment needs; developing, monitoring, and evaluating treatment plans and progress; facilitating interdisciplinary approaches.
• Determines clients’ requirements by completing intake interviews; determining need for therapeutic medical, psycho-social, and psychiatric evaluations; reviewing therapist evaluations, treatment objectives, and plans.
• Establishes treatment programs by setting schedules and routines; coordinating services being provided; arranging resources, including transportation and escort.
• Monitors cases by verifying clients’ attendance; observing and evaluating treatments and responses; advocating for needed services and entitlements; obtaining additional resources; intervening in crisis; providing personal support.
• Maintains clients’ records by reviewing case notes; logging events and progress.
• Communicates clients’ progress by conducting weekly interdisciplinary meetings and evaluations; disseminating results and obstacles to therapeutic team and family; identifying treatment influences.
• Prepares clients’ discharge by reviewing and amplifying discharge plans; coordinating discharge and post-discharge requirements; orienting and training family members; providing resources.
• Improves community competence by providing educational workshops and resources; balancing work requirements with learning opportunities; evaluating the application of learning to changes in treatment results.
• Improves treatment results by studying, evaluating, and re-designing processes; implementing changes; rewriting policies and procedures.
• Work collaboratively with our partners to identify homeless youth that need assistance in accessing services and housing.
• Actively engage known youth on the streets to build rapport and provide basic needs supplies. Also, seek out and build trusting and healthy relationships with youth who are not yet accessing other services at AFC.
• Explore new and known outreach spots in order to introduce youth to resources and AFC’s spectrum of services.
• Implement outreach strategies to high-risk trafficking areas such as parks, front of convenient stores, bus stations, community centers, motels, gas stations at interstate corridors, etc).
• Utilize a trauma informed approach in all interactions with youth, maintaining client confidentiality as required.
• Provide survival aid and health/hygiene kits.
• Provide de-escalation and crisis intervention, phone counseling and support to clients as needed.
• Maintain program statistics and participate in ongoing program evaluation and reporting procedures by ensuring to initiate, document and complete client follow-ups, outcome evaluations, case note entries and client contact sheets.
• Organize the dissemination of Be Proud, Be Responsible evidence- based curricula

Education and Experience Requirements: The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in a human service field from an accredited university (preferred) and one (1) year relevant experience working with the target population or Associates degree (minimum) and 3 years relevant experience However, we will consider a candidate with a High School Diploma who is at least 25 years of age .

• MUST meet requirements for Central Registry Background Check.
• MUST have a valid Texas driver’s license, a vehicle for travel and verifiable insurance.
• Must be able to pass comprehensive criminal, sexual offender
• Must be able to handle confidential matters with appropriate discretion.
• Must have strong interpersonal skills, possessing the ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships and work effectively in a team environment.
• Knowledge of community resources and experienced in providing referral services to clients
• Ability to learn and interpret specific rules, laws, and policies and apply them with good judgment in a variety of situations.
• Ability to manage task and activities, work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines despite the competing priorities presented daily.
• Ability to be observant and take initiative to address issues presented while engaging with our clients.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite.
• Ability to communicate both orally and written form and possess the ability to write clear and decisive planning documents both on a strategic and near-term basis.
• Ability travel to various locations utilizing personal transportation and maintain insurance coverage to transport clients as needed.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, working an evening shift a couple of days per week.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is required to stand and walk, and occasionally drive a car. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move 10 - 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: TBD

HOURS: Full Time. Some evenings and weekends required.

EXPERIENCE : Minimum of two (2) years case management experience preferred.