Youth Advocate

The Youth Advocate is responsible for case management, psycho-social assessment, development and implementation of intervention strategies. The Youth Advocate provides clinical leadership to a multi-disciplinary team and provide coaching to support each youth to achieve goals of housing stability, sustainable and sustaining employment, and educational achievement. The Youth Advocate is active in developing, supporting and implementing an individualized, strength ‘based, culturally competent, youth-centered approach. A Successful Youth Advocate understands how to motivate, influence, and mentor young adults to achieve goals while launching adult lives from foster care. Provide youth with individual counseling, crisis intervention, referrals, advocacy and life skills training. (70%)

Essential Duties and RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Care and Interventions:

• Develops partnership strategy with each youth
• Gathers and analyzes on-going information to ensure youth safety, well-being and progress
• Provides clinical leadership to multi-disciplinary teams consisting of youth, family and other natural supporters, county case managers, Employment and Education Specialists, Housing Specialists, and Intake Specialists to ensure seamless and effective service delivery
• Organizes, schedules, and facilitates youth and team meetings
• Provides on-going assessment of youth well-being and develops plans to ensure safety and
• De-escalate crisis as needed
• Provides direct support, coaching, mentoring and intervention to increase youth self-sufficiency and goal attainment.
• Participates on a rotating basis to provide on-call coverage
• Provides crisis counseling as needed.

Case Management/Coordination:

• Collaborates with community providers including county workers, courts, professionals, vocational and independent living skills programs, schools, family members and significant others
• Keeps key team members informed and Works with team members to identify and engage appropriate natural supporters.

Documentation/Administrative Duties (30%)

• Completes documentation including but not limited to Care and Services plans, needs assessments, and progress notes.
• Ensures all needed paperwork and consents are completed for each client at time of entry.
• Participates in agency committee as assigned.
• Provides on-going orientation and training to staff as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor

ABOUT YOU

• BA in social work, psychology, counselling or equivalent required with Minimum four years of experience working in a child welfare social services setting or with transition age youth with complex presentations including chronic trauma.
• Master’s Degree in a social work, psychology, counselling or equivalent preferred.
• Professional License is a plus.
• Must be comfortable working in community settings.
• Willingness to work collaboratively, but with the capacity to work independently
• Must be able to pass a Community Care Licensing background check
• Must have a car, a valid CA drivers license and auto insurance.
• Attention to Detail – Ability to work with high level of detail, work has high level of professional polish down to smallest details, documents and products are well thought out and clear, database is organized and up to date.
• Driven by Accomplishment – Clarity on project goals and the personal drive to accomplish goals, finished projects are thorough and delivered on time. High level of personal accountability for the quality and impact of work
• Computer Skills — Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including MS Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint, Project and Outlook. Experience with database systems
• Strong Communication Skills – Exceptional oral and written communication skills including the demonstrated ability to research, assimilate, and analyze information, compose engaging messages, and present data in a clear and inspiring manner.
• High Level of Professionalism – A high level of professionalism in work and interpersonal interactions with both internal and external contacts, presents to others as organized, informed, and friendly.
• Decisive Nature – Well-honed ability to independently anticipate and analyze situations, define problems and objectives, recognize viable alternatives, and formulate rapid solutions, with understanding of the inherent risks and the implications of making tough decisions.
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend work and some travel as needed.

BENEFITS

• Full-time position
• 15 days of vacation time in year one
• 12 days of sick time
• 2 flexible holidays
• 14 paid holidays
• Paid sabbatical
• Paid maternity and paternity leave
• Employee’s choice of Kaiser or UCH HMO/PPO
  • Up to 90% of premium covered by First Place
• Delta Dental Premium PPO
• VSP Vision
• Retirement opportunities

www.firstplaceforyouth.org