Description

Job Summary: As a Youth and Family Advocate (YFA) this person would work with families experiencing homelessness to increase family attachment, and to stabilize the child(ren)’s lives, both within and outside the family.

This position is Full-time, located in Shoreline, WA.

REPORTS TO: Shoreline Site Supervisor

Our new Youth and Family Advocate will enjoy the following pay and benefits:

• $20-$23 per hour DOE
• Health insurance for Employee only: Medical $80/month, Dental $11/month, and Vision $1/month. Separate rates for spouses/dependents.
• Retirement plan with up to a 3% matching employer contribution
• 12 days of vacation (increases with tenure)
• 13 days of paid holidays
• Generous sick-leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Childcare Tuition Assistance

As a Youth and Family Advocate your responsibilities will be:

• Meets with children, parents and families to assist and support family with goals and individual development.
• Assists families in finding childcare, support services for children and other community resources.
• Facilitates and develops activities that promote and increase in family attachment.
• Provides advocacy-based support for families.
• Assists parents in engagement with children’s school.
• Assists in the facilitation and supervision of children’s programming, including: Homework Lab/Tutoring, childcare during adult classes, monthly activity nights, holiday events, and field trips/out of school activities.
• Assist in the training and support of volunteers who serve in the Children’s program.
• Assist in the provision and maintenance of Youth and Family Program policies and procedures.
• Assist with the preparation of statistics, evaluations and other program data if needed.
• Collaborates with other organizations to ensure best practice for residents needing community based support services.
• Participate in weekly supervision and case staffing meetings.
• Report to Site Lead any observed or second-hand information regarding resident rule violation or concerns with individual children.
• Maintain confidentiality of resident families per Program policies/procedures.
• As a mandated reporter, report observed or suspected child abuse or neglect to Child Protective Services.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Youth and Family Advocate candidates should have the following qualifications:

• A.A. degree in social services, education, or comparable field preferred
• Experience working with children and families who are at risk and in crisis.
• Experience working with diverse and/or special needs population and knowledge of homelessness, domestic violence, physical, sexual and emotional abuse and the effects on children.
• Experience with administrative support.
• Understanding of trauma-informed care.
• Ability to discuss sensitive and difficult issues with parents.
• Ability to provide a safe and welcoming atmosphere.
• Personal characteristics: approachable, empathetic, flexible, discerning, creative.
• Computer skills: Word, Excel, Outlook. client/case note software experience (Apricot)
• Valid Washington State Driver's License, good driving record and reliable transportation.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff in a participatory environment.
• Ability to work two evenings each week and have some flexibility in order to meet with families when children and parents are at home.
• CPR and First Aid Certification
• Must be able to lift and move 25 pounds.
• Must be able and willing to drive children to field trips/activities in an 11-passenger van.
• Active Christian faith and the ability to sign our Statement of Faith.
• MUST BE WILLING TO WORK A FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE.(Varied days and evenings – will discuss)