Youth advocate job description

: Work with clients, ages 16-20, in an 18 month residential program. Also working
with youth in the community that need services. Assist residents with daily routine including hygiene
and self-care issues, planning personal schedules and leisure time, teaching daily living skills and
providing transportation when necessary. Help facilitate resident house meetings. Participate in weekly
meetings with residents conducting their service plans, obtaining their documents, assisting with
education plans. HMIS data entry. Assist in observing all health, fire and safety regulations as well as
assuring all resident medical and safety needs are met.

Hours : 40 hours a week. Advocate will be required to work a mix of day/evening hours, as well as
midnight shifts, weekend shifts and some holiday hours when needed. Schedule is determined by
current residents and monthly schedule. We are open 365 days a year and never close.

Pay: Salary is compensatory upon education and experience. Medical and Dental benefits after 90
days. 15 leave days a year after 90 days and 10 Vacation days a year awarded after 6 months. The
company also reimburses work related travel mileage and provides a 10% match into employees 403b
retirement account.
Training: Advocate must complete at least 50 hours of paid training required by state licensing as well
as additional hours of training required by Family Youth Interventions/Transitional Living Program.
Position Requirements: Staff must have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in working with adolescents,
Bachelor’s Degree preferred in a human services field. Experience in residential programs is preferred.
Individuals must have a negative TB test result and have 3 satisfactory professional reference checks.
Must pass criminal and child abuse/neglect background checks and possess a valid Michigan driver’s
license.
Candidates need to be mature, patient and good at working as a member of a team. Individuals need to
be good at multi-tasking, and have excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Want to make a difference? Want to help support young adults in goal setting for their education and future? Then come work for First Place for Youth!
ABOUT US
First Place for Youth is the largest provider of housing and comprehensive services for transition-age foster youth in the state of California. We're giving young people the tools, support, and opportunities they need to take control of their own lives and create the futures they want. We've built a 20 + year record of success , measured not just by the number of youth who walk through our doors, but by the outcomes they achieve.

JOB SUMMARY
The Youth Advocate/ Social Worker 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.
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
• Master's Degree in a discipline to be eligible to register with the BBS required.
• Professional License is a plus.
• Experience working with transition age youth with complex presentations including chronic trauma preferred. Experience does not substitute for professional degree and certification.
• Must be comfortable working in community settings.
• High level of personal accountability for the quality and impact of work
• Excellent communication skills, professional demeanor, sound judgment, and strong organizational skills
• Willingness to work collaboratively, but with the capacity to work independently
• Must be able to pass a Community Care Licensing background check


If First Place for Youth is the organization you are looking for then apply today! Our team will be excited to meet you. Review the attached job description for position details.
www.firstplaceforyouth.org



PI193495833

Why Work For Simpson?


Our Mission is to house, support and advocate for people experiencing homelessness. We believe that everybody has the right to safe and affordable housing; we strive to strive to create a collaborative community with the individuals we serve, within Simpson, and with the greater community; and we advocate against the injustices of society that cause homelessness and poverty. On a daily basis, we celebrate and embrace the uniqueness and dignity of every person and encourage people to draw upon their strengths and promote the power of self-advocacy.


Simpson Housing Services began as an emergency overnight shelter in the basement of Simpson United Methodist Church in 1982. Simpson has since become a leading nonprofit providing assistance to people experiencing homelessness. In response to un-met community needs, our programs have grown to include emergency shelter, single adult supportive housing, and family supportive housing. We work across the metro area, partnering with landlords and developers to find affordable housing for all families and individuals. At any given time, we provide supportive services to 100 individuals and 200 families with over 400 children.






COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & RACIAL JUSTICE


Simpson Housing Services is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to the principles of diversity. Diversity continues to be our primary focus in staffing and hiring, as it is important to us that our staff demographics be representative of the population demographics whom we serve. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.






How Can You Contribute?


The Youth Advocate will provide case management services to youth experiencing homelessness. This position works with youth to improve the quality of individual lives through safe stable housing, employment, community connections, leadership, education and wellness. Through building trusting relationships and focusing on youth’s unique strengths, the Youth Advocate guides youth towards independence.


The Youth Advocate is part of the Youth Housing team at Simpson Housing Services. The goal of the team is to provide effective support services to homeless youth in transition. This position handles an intensive caseload of approximately 10-15 youth. They will be located in non-time-limited housing at 66 West in Edina. The position hours will be primarily during M-F business hours, but will require some evening and Saturday hours. Participant populations may include those with chemical abuse issues, criminal histories (drug charges, prostitution, fraud, etc.), and/or other disabilities.


Non-Time-Limited Housing Program goals


Youth will develop self-advocacy skills that will allow them to reach goals of:


locating and retaining stable, affordable housing increased economic resources increased wellness increased community connections






Responsibilities


Provide effective case management to program participants:


Complete intake and partner with property management to facilitate move in. Orient participants to service polices/procedures. Meet with youth in their home or in the community weekly to support youth to achieve their goals. Build trusting relationships with participants and create an environment that fosters independent living and community building. Assess participant needs and assist participants in developing goals focused on improving stability and self-sufficiency; monitor progress and ensure follow-through. Support and advocate for youth by connecting them with appropriate community resources. Provide transportation and accompany residents to appointments related to their goals. Follow SHS guidelines regarding participants’ program agreements with SHS. This can include setting up youth support meetings when necessary.


Assist participants to increase wellbeing:


Support and refer youth who are struggling with mental health concerns that are impacting their housing. Support youth to identify ways to improve their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, and provide on-going support and guidance. Initiate and participate in collaborative meetings with individuals from other community support programs who are providing services to youth. Be mindful of youth’s family situation, incorporating follow up from foster care or repairing family relationships as desired.


Assist participants with housing stability:


Collaborate with property management to ensure thorough communication and documentation. Provide tenancy education to participant youth regarding housekeeping, care of property, and expectations of their leases. Support youth to navigate conflict and crisis in their housing to ensure housing stability. Assist participants to address barriers to housing: such as a lack of proper ID, evictions on record, etc. Assist participants with the location of permanent housing, including housing search and moves as needed. Support youth to make their house a home with household items.


Assist program participants to increase financial stability:


Work with participants to prioritize spending to ensure rent is paid monthly. Assist participants to access and maintain needed government benefits such as health care, food stamps and GA. Assist participants to connect with education, training, and/or employment. Assist participants to develop and achieve financial goals (examples: creating spending plans and budgets, accessing free credit scores and paying off debt).


Work as part of an effective team to meet goals of program:


Communicate and coordinate services with all team members. Attend weekly team meetings, other required meetings. Communicate effectively with property management regarding tenant behaviors, tenancy concerns, and property issues. Sort and distribute in-kind donations. Answer inquiries into SHS through answering the phone or greeting people at the door. Employee may provide back up for advocates during periods of absence or during times of increased workloads.


Provide community leadership around Education:


Seek out, build and maintain relevant community relationships to provide opportunities for youth. Host community events and activities to provide opportunities for all participants to engage in education. Seek out innovative ways to keep education relevant for youth. Demonstrate leadership around education through knowledge and initiative.


Complete accurate and thorough documentation and record-keeping in a timely manner:


Maintain individual files, including case notes, signed data privacy, intake and discharge summaries, and Release of Information. Compile statistical reports for funding sources and program management including entry into data systems. Maintain accurate records including employee time sheets and travel expenses. Participate with funding reports, grant writing and site visits. Other duties as assigned.


Provide positive representation of SHS through public relations and networking:


Interpret and promote the program to constituents, speak to community organizations and other stakeholder groups. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with staff, volunteers, participants and other stakeholders. Network with providers of similar services. Participate in professional meetings, workshops, and staff meetings.


Demonstrate essential knowledge, abilities, and skills:


Ability and willingness to learn and incorporate agency philosophy into service delivery. Ability to work very well independently, with excellent skills in teamwork and collaboration. Ability to be flexible and manage time effectively. Knowledge of Harm Reduction/Housing First Model and commitment to that model. Ability to communicate effectively, positively and professionally with participants, providers, family members and others. Ability to work with individuals from very diverse backgrounds. Ability to perform non-traditional tasks while meeting participant needs. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Adhere to a standard framework of boundaries in all interactions with guests, volunteers, staff and public.






Scope of Position


Job Requirements:


Bachelor’s degree in human service or equivalent experience in relevant field Driver’s License and working vehicle


Desired:


Minimum of 1-year experience in providing direct social services to young adults Knowledge of human and adolescent development Training in working with low-income youth, young adults, diverse populations, and those who are homeless Knowledge of positive youth development, mental health, chemical dependency, trauma, physical or sexual abuse