Youth Engagement Specialist; South-AmeriCorp Member

Overview

The Ameri Corps member will possess excellent communication and organizational skills and provide support to young people that is strength-based, trauma-informed and harm reduction focused. The member will model our mission of providing absolute respect and unconditional love to all young people and will value working within a multi-disciplinary team to create a safe, inclusive environment for all. The member is responsible for ongoing engagement and resilience-building activities, assessment and service planning with young people to meet their housing, health and wellness, employment and educational goals, as they move towards permanent housing.

Other functions include crisis intervention and de-escalation, documentation in multiple databases, facilitation of educational and group activities, community engagement and networking with local service providers.

Agency
:
Covenant House New Jersey (CHNJ) – You MUST list Covenant House New Jersey on your application as your Agency.

Provide unconditional positive regard to young people regardless of behavior, race, class, culture, country of origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, language capacity or ability to complete case plan requirements.

Provide Case Management Services and Relationship Building Activities with the goal of developing positive relationships with young people through the Case Management System, including:

• Welcome young people to the program, ensure they feel comfortable, safe and understand the program structure, opportunities for engagement and access to supplies that they might need.
• Build a supportive relationship with youth that encourages them to find their voice and connects them to opportunities, experiences and resources that enrich and enhance their lives.
• Conduct all required assessments and document in file and data systems.
• Develop a Success Plan with each young person upon completion of assessment.
• Revise and update the Success Plan routinely and as necessary.
• Maintain a calendar of the young people’s work schedule, appointments, etc., in conjunction with their Success Plan to support their journey.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of and connection to community resources.
• Make appropriate referrals for services within CHNJ and to community agencies.
• Engage in positive transition planning with the young people.
• Monitor young people’s progress of self-identified goals and coach them to plan, implement, and follow-through with tasks.
• Motivate young people to explore and improve wellness, education and employment, financial literacy and social navigation goals and any other areas that will impact their success plan.
• Monitor youth while taking medication and document accordingly in the Medication Logs.
• Engage with youth in daily House Activities, including assisting with chores, dining, cooking and other activities, bus tickets, and ongoing movement throughout the day.
• Provide crisis de-escalation and intervention as necessary according to training and best practices.
• Engage and meet with youth for their Success Planning meetings.
• Accurately document all interactions, assessments and interventions in ETO (Efforts to Outcomes) in a timely manner.
• Maintain current, complete, and confidential hard copy case files for all assigned youth.
• Complete and update intake and discharge documentation in the HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) in accordance with agency standards.
• Document pertinent information in Youth Incident Reports, Medication Logs and House Activity Logs.
• Deliver financial literacy support, including teaching budgeting and connecting youth to local banks or credit unions.
• Provide employment readiness assistance by helping youth build resumes and practice interview skills.
• Support youth in accessing stable housing opportunities through referrals, applications, and landlord engagement.
• Facilitate youth group activities which support the five resiliency objectives:
  Wellness, Social Navigation, Financial Literacy, Education and Employment, on a regular basis.
• Participate in community outings and local events alongside youth to foster social connection and life skills.
• Facilitate…