Youth Support Specialist

Youth Support Specialist

Reports to: Housing Services Manager

Full-Time Position

Overview

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. The Youth Support Specialist will work within the Your Way Home and ASPIRE programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

· Work with youth ages 18–26 to develop and achieve transition goals that increase stability, permanency, and self-sufficiency.

· Build authentic, caring, and affirming relationships

with youth while providing individualized, trauma-informed case management that

supports success across multiple life domains.

· Maintain regular, flexible, and community-based

contact with youth to support goal achievement. This includes being

available on occasional nights/weekends/holidays offering services through a

variety of engagement methods, such as in-person, text, phone, and social

media.

· Assist youth with finding safe, stable housing and

providing supportive services to maintain housing.

· Help youth identify, build, and re-engage supportive

connections across family, school, neighborhood, and peer networks.

· Build and maintain strong working relationships with

landlords, key community partners and stakeholders.

· Collaborate with clinicians, caregivers, families,

DCYF YDS workers and community providers to coordinate support services and

support youth in attainment of goals.

· Produce written court reports and attend all court

hearings.

· Provide backup support for our Drop-in Center for

youth experiencing Homelessness. Complete Intakes and Coordinated Entry

assessments as needed and assist with providing services as needed.

· Recognize that financial wellness is essential to

building stability and self-sufficiency, supporting success across multiple

life domains.

· Recruit and engage youth in financial education

programs using the "Keys to Your Financial Future" curriculum. Prepare

and deliver financial education classes, including scheduling, securing materials,

and tracking participation.

· Receive financial coaching training and then provide

one-on-one financial coaching to assist youth with budgeting, savings, and

asset-building goals.

· Assist youth in opening savings accounts, setting

goals, and overcoming barriers to financial stability.

· Maintain accurate, timely case documentation in both

electronic and paper systems, including Foster Forward, the CoC and Jim Casey's

data systems (OPDS and OPPS).

· Collect baseline and follow up survey data for all

participants enrolled in financial wellness. Achieve at least an 80%

participant response rate during survey months.

· Seek out and participate in trainings and events that

enhance skills and professional knowledge.

· Participate in agency meetings, staff trainings, and

promotional opportunities as required.

· Provide a trauma-informed approach to all work that

reflects the values and mission of Foster Forward.

· Perform other duties as required to support the

overall success of the program.

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: $50, $52,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person