Youth Support Specialist

Reports to: Housing Services Manager

Summary:

The role of the Youth Support Specialist is to provide focused, individualized, youth-driven, strengths-based services and supports that help youth ages 18 to 26: locate safe and affordable housing; identify employment and/or enroll in an educational program; address healthcare needs, mental health and substance abuse issues; obtain identification; access childcare; manage interpersonal relationships; learn daily living skills; access community based supports and public benefits such as SNAP. 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. The Youth Support Specialist encourages engagement of youth, supports youth to accomplish their goals and gains a deep understanding of available local and regional resources to reduce and remove barriers to housing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

· 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.

· Produce written court reports, attend all family court hearings and case reviews

· Collaborate with DCYF YDS workers, clinicians, family, caregivers, and other providers as appropriate to help support youth in attainment of goals.

· Complete intakes and Homeless Coordinated Entry assessments with youth ages 18 to 24 at the Homeless Youth Drop-in Center when the Peer Support Specialist is not available.

· 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 and provide supportive services to young people who have housing vouchers

· Empower youth to engage and complete educational programs as appropriate.

· Work with youth to enroll them in the ASPIRE financial capability program and the Works Wonders program, as needed.

· 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.

· Build authentic, caring, and affirming relationships with youth.

· Provide a trauma informed approach to youth, colleagues, and self that reflects the values of Foster Forward.

· Build and maintain strong working relationships with landlords.

· Seek out and attend relevant trainings and events that enhance skills, bodies of knowledge

· Provide services on a 24/7/365 basis either in person or via text/phone/social media

· Maintain all casefiles – electronic and paper – as required – inclusive of Foster Forward and the CoC’s data systems.

· Participate in staff trainings, agency events, and promotional opportunities as required.

· Other duties as required.

Required:

· Regular access to a car for community-based case management services (i.e. home visits).

· A bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.

· At least two years of case management (or equivalent) experience.

· Proven experience relating to adolescents and adults from a variety of backgrounds

· Lived experience in foster care or with homelessness and/or experience working with youth/people experiencing homelessness.

· Welcoming demeanor and strong oral and written communication skills.

· Ability to set and maintain boundaries.

· Attention to detail; organized and able to accurately plan work and tasks; adaptable

· Familiarity with the housing market and related resources.

· Must be a self-initiator and be able to problem solve various life issues.

· Must be able to pass a background check.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 - $47,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $45,000 - $47,000