Care Coordinator – Project CHOICE

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our Mission: Since 1981, the Orangewood Foundation has passionately advocated for young people facing foster care, homelessness, and trafficking. Our mission is to empower these individuals by supporting the futures they envision, providing dedicated one-on-one support to help them achieve their dreams and goals.

Our Programs & Services: We provide programs and services in four essential areas: Basic Needs & Support, Education, Life Skills & Employment, and Transitional Housing & Support.

Our Vision: A community where every young person thrives. This is our long-term goal for young people in Orange County. We embody this goal every time we talk to a young person, a volunteer, a community member, and to each other. 

Our Commitment: Equal Opportunity Employer, Flexible Scheduling, Powerful Teamwork, Personal Fulfillment, Thriving Community, Professional Development, Mental & Physical Wellness, Competitive Compensation

Our Values: At Orangewood, recently ranked #27 in Best Places to Work 2025, we take pride in fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture. We ask all staff to uphold the following core values: Trust, Respect, Empathy, Inclusion, and Advocacy

JOB DESCRIPTION

All staff are required to be on call at least one week out of the month for the Project CHOICE Warmline. This includes managing the 24/7 line to support youth with safety planning and coordinating support to mitigate any immediate safety concerns. 

Position Title: Care Coordinator – Project CHOICE

Employment Classification: Full Time; Hourly, Non-Exempt, Shift: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9:30am – 6pm; Tuesday, Thursdays 11:30am – 8pm; and one Saturday a month from 12pm-4pm.

Reports to: Project CHOICE Supervisor

Department: Programs

Program Summary: Funded by the Orange County Social Services Agency (OCSSA), the Project CHOICE program provides engagement, assessment and support to youth (ages 11 to 21) who have been identified as having been commercially sexually exploited or at-risk of being exploited

Position Summary; Care Coordinator supports youth ages 11-21 who come into the drop-in center by assessing for their immediate needs, including but not limited to: safety and stability, housing coordination, mental health linkages and safety planning. Manages the daily environment of the drop-in center and coordinates services/workshops offered to the youth. Works to cultivate a survivor centered and trauma informed approach to service provision. Meets monthly 1:1 with youth enrolled in care coordination to create and update youth's case plans. Supports with tabling and outreach events as needed. 

When considering this job opportunity, please be aware that the role may involve high stress levels due to mitigating participant crises and potential exposure to vicarious trauma. It is essential to prioritize self-care and seek appropriate support when needed.

Major Areas of Responsibility:

Safety/Stability (40% of the time)

• Ensure the drop-in center provides a welcoming environment that supports and
• respects all youth regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or
• sexual orientation.
• Greet new youth into the Center, provide a tour, complete initial and on-going
• assessments.
• Assess participants for basic needs and provide youth with clothing from the resource
• closet, groceries, and hygiene supplies.
• Document youth participation into Apricot in a timely manner.
• Continually check in with youth who are in the Center, build rapport, use trauma
• informed approaches and creativity to encourage relationship building.
• Assess for risk behaviors and needs while using stages of change and motivational
• interviewing to provide further coaching and support.
• Create safety plans based on youth's voice and choice.
• Understand and be able to follow through on mandated reporting standards.
• Support drop-in center as a whole by checking in youth at the front desk, picking up donations off site and supporting to prep and serve lunch and dinner. 
•  Facilitate and participate in weekly workshops for youth to help teach coping skills, build self-esteem, and provide psycho-education on relevant topics. 
• Oversee/develop trauma-informed activities for youth and promote the center safety guidelines. 
• Be able to work as a team to communicate action plans during a crisis.
• Use appropriate crisis intervention techniques to support youth in times of high need and stress.
• Assess for youth and staff safety at all times.

Care Coordination (40% of role)

• Provide strength-based, survivor center care coordination services with a harm reduction, trauma informed care practice utilizing motivational interviewing. This includes but is not limited to: 
• Complete Freedom Life Map (FLM) Assessment with youth.
• Develop goals and steps with youth based on priorities set from FLM Assessment.
• Collaborate with community and therapeutic partners to enhance the youth's support team outside of Project CHOICE.
• Provide Linkages and Referrals to youth based on their needs.
• Collaborate with care coordinators from other programs within and outside of the agency according to the needs/goals of the youth.
• Provide advocacy for youth in the community.
• Empower youth by providing them autonomy in their decision making while providing non-judgmental care.
• Meet with youth 1:1 onsite or offsite in the community to follow up on care plans.
• Coordinate transportation for youth into the Center.

3. Outreach (20% of role)

• Collaborate with Orange County Grace Court, Juvenile Hall, Youth Guidance Center, and other community partners to connect youth with Project CHOICE resources. 
• Provide support and education to families and caregivers of youth at risk of or with a history of sex trafficking and exploitation.
• Participate in community tabling events, attend agency outreach/training opportunities.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in human services, Sociology, Social Work, Education, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or related field.
• One (1) year experience in direct or indirect service provision to CSEC youth, at-risk youth, youth with substance abuse addiction, and/or experiencing homelessness. 
• Completion of sixteen (16) hours of advanced CSEC training on Trauma- Informed care may be substituted for six (6) months of direct or indirect service experience.

OR

• Completion of eighteen (18) semester units or equivalent from an accredited college in psychology, counseling, sociology, social work, criminology, or other behavior related field. 
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working in a human services field, with a minimum of one (1) year experience in direct or indirect service provision to CSEC youth, at-risk youth, youth with substance abuse addiction, and/or experiencing homelessness. 
• Completion of sixteen (16) hours of advanced CSEC training on Trauma-Informed care may be substituted for six (6) months of direct or indirect service experience.

Applicants with lived experience in human trafficking, exploitation, and/or CSEC are invited to apply.

Additional Requirements

• Possess a strong understanding of adolescent and child abuse issues, human development, Trauma-Informed care, and the dynamics of sexual exploitation of children.
• Proficiency in English is required, and bilingual-Spanish, is strongly preferred. 
• Must be at least twenty-four (24) years of age per contract requirements.
• High tolerance and respect for youth survival actions, while promoting harm reduction strategies.
• Excellent listening and interpersonal skills and ability to establish rapport with CSEC and youth at-risk who may be difficult to engage within different community settings.
• Available to work weekends and evenings, as needed.
• Effective communication skills including writing, public speaking, and conflict resolution/mediation skills.
• Highly motivated, willing to learn, and able to work independently at times.
• Continually develops self-knowledge of issues of CSEC/human trafficking laws and best practices.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications; Outlook, Word, Excel and Power Point.
• Possess a valid California driver's license and proof of automobile insurance. 
•  Position requires DMV clearance.
• Pre-employment screenings include criminal background check, FBI/DOJ fingerprinting, TB test, drug screen, and previous employment verification. 
• A assessment is a required part of the application process, and your application will be reviewed after assessment submission. Visit this link to learn more

The above minimum qualifications and minimum experience is subject to review and approval by the funder, OCSSA.

Essential Qualities:

• Understanding of and passion for the Foundation's mission, vision, and values.
• Enjoys working directly with youth, volunteers, community partners, etc.
• Passion for and enjoys working directly with TAY population.

Working Environment/Physical Requirements:

• Position will require use of personal vehicle. 
• Physical requirements include standing, sitting, typing, bending, and lifting up to approximately 25lbs. (i.e. tables, chairs, food, water, etc.). 

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Benefits:

• Medical – Blue Shield HMO & PPO + HRA 
• Delta Dental 
• Vision (EyeMed Network) 
• FSA – Healthcare & Dependent Care
• Mental Health through Headspace (virtual & in person therapy included) 
• EAP – through Umum & Headspace 
• Life/Disability/Accident/Critical Illness 
• Pet Insurance 
• 403b with company match 
• Cell Phone Stipend

Time-off Benefits:

• 5 Sick Days per year 
• Up to 3 Floating Holidays per year 
• Year one - 15 Days of PTO accrued at 5 hours per pay period 
• 13 Company Paid Holidays 

Orangewood Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race (including hair texture and protective hair styles such as braids, locks, and twists), religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity (including individuals who are transgender and/or transitioning), gender expression, age, sexual orientation, reproductive health decision-making, military and veteran status, or any other protected group, in accordance with all applicable federal or State laws.