Youth and Family Advocate

Department: Juvenile Justice

Location: Chicago, IL (Clinton)

Schedule: Monday-Friday; occasional weekend days

Position Overview

Under the direction of the Program Manager, the Youth and Family Advocate will provide support for high-risk youth and their families. Specifically, the Youth and Family Advocate will: 1) assist with coordinating and administering required behavioral needs and strengths assessments; 2) provide support and coordination of services for referred youth and their families; and 3) coordinate and organize activities and supports for youth. The Youth and Family Advocate will also work closely with all YOS programs and external referral sources to facilitate provision of comprehensive aftercare services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: include but are not limited to the following.

• Engagement: Recruits and maintains a caseload of youth and their families residing in the YOS service area. Serves as a team member for youth on the caseload. Works closely with community providers, YOS programs and youth probation officers and judges to engage high-risk youth and families in appropriate and recommended services. Establishes and maintains key relationships with community agencies and other community partners through established networks and through community outreach. Helps identify emerging social/recreational needs and opportunities for youth in the community and helps develop strategies and partnerships to help meet those needs. Guides the youth in the development of prosocial recreational activities and opportunities. Maintains consistent communication with all team members involved with the youth and family to ensure that services are being adequately provided and progress is being made toward youth and family goals.
• Supervision/Meetings: Under the direction of the Program Manager, participates in youth and family staffings and regular community network meetings as directed. Helps to coordinate regular youth progress meetings and program graduation conferences. Continuously monitors youth activities and keeps the Program Manager informed of challenges, successes and possible areas of concern. Helps develop community networks and culture of partnerships to ensure that youth referred receives the services necessary to avoid negative consequences and develop prosocial behaviors.
• Operations: Maintains a strong knowledge and familiarity with the YOS service areas and existing and emerging issues that relate to all youth. Responsible for assisting with coordination and administration of required behavioral needs and strengths assessments. Responsible for helping implement, maintain and monitor youth-led activities and mentoring. Responsible for maintaining files, collecting data, and reporting as directed. Works with Program Manager to maintain quality of service delivery.
• Advocacy: Works with community partners and youth referred to the program to help navigate systems and ensure appropriate services are accessed. Helps advocate for improved prosocial opportunities for youth in the YOS service areas.
• Reporting/ Documentation: Responsible for collecting and maintaining data as directed by Program Manager. Ensures that all referrals and activities are entered in the system and that ongoing data is collected and reported out per contract requirements.
• HIPPA: Full access to client information. Confidentiality must be maintained at all times.
• Quality Improvement: Participates in ongoing quality improvements efforts of the agency.
• Diversity/Cultural Awareness: Ability to work effectively with diverse communities and constituencies. Intimate knowledge of and experience working with youth in the YOS designated service areas.
• Other Functions: The Agency may assign other functions to the job at its discretion.
  
  

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or related field preferred.
• Experience with case management and/or running programs serving youth involved in the juvenile justice system or at risk of becoming involved in the juvenile justice system; experience with community/youth organizing; knowledge of YOS service area.
• 2 plus years experience working with youth, preferred.
• Bilingual, preferred.
  
  

Benefits

• Health, Dental, Vision
• Life Insurance
• Short/Long-Term Disability options
• 403(b) Retirement
• Paid Time off (PTO)
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
  
  

Youth Outreach Services is a drug-free workplace and compliance with this policy is a condition of employment and continued employment.

Youth Outreach Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.