Youth Support Specialist

EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Title: Youth Support Specialist, Behavior Health

FLSA Status: Salary, Exempt

Salary: $45,000–$50,000/year

Reports To: Behavior Health Therapist Supervisor

Function: Responsible for providing stabilization support, advocacy, and guidance to young adults experiencing homelessness or housing instability as part of the Behavioral Health team. The specialist builds trust, supports emotional well‑being, and helps youth navigate mental health and housing‑related challenges. The role emphasizes trauma‑informed engagement, emotional regulation support, and connection to essential resources that promote safety, stability, and long‑term housing retention.

By providing consistent, relationship‑based support, the Youth Support Specialist plays a key role in helping participants maintain engagement in services, access mental‑health care, and successfully transition into and remain stably housed. Demonstrates an understanding of and commitment to the mission and core values of Ignite. Reports directly to the Behavior Health Therapist, Supervisor.

• Promote engagement, stabilization, and housing retention for Aftercare participants and other youth receiving support through the HC‑MHC program.
• Use lived experience to build authentic, trusting relationships with participants.
• Provide mentoring, emotional regulation support, and trauma‑informed guidance.
• Offer support in navigating mental health systems, attending appointments, and following through on treatment recommendations.
• Assist clients in obtaining identification, vital documents, and other materials needed to support stability in coordination with the case management team.
• Support youth with applications for housing, benefits, and assistance programs (e.g., SNAP, Medicaid, SSI).
• Help clients access community resources related to healthcare and mental health.
• Collaborate closely with Ignite’s behavior health team, case managers, and housing/navigation staff while maintaining clear peer support boundaries.
• Assist in leading Ignite’s youth leadership initiatives and support participants in ongoing recruitment and development.
• Encourage client self‑advocacy, coping skill development, and progress toward personal goals.
• Provide immediate support during crisis situations and coordinate with behavior health staff on crisis protocols.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of contacts, services, and stabilization efforts.
• Participate in staff meetings, individual supervision, and all required trainings (including mental‑health and crisis response training).

• Create a supportive environment that empowers young adults to advocate for their needs and take active roles in their care.
• Engage youth in decision‑making about referral options and service preferences.
• May be called upon to support Community Programs as necessary.
• Be knowledgeable in milieu shift requirements which may occur during morning and/or afternoon hours. Provides general supervision and appropriate intervention in the community supported space.
• Participate in youth educational and personal development groups on the milieu in coordination with other staff and/or volunteers.
• Completes all required shift and activity documentation.
• Provides life skills training on the units both formally (in groups) and informally. Works with each client on basic life skills and daily issues impeding their progress toward self‑sufficiency.
• Manages any crisis and/or emergency that may occur on the units with clients.
• May accompany youth on activities and presents proper activity documentation to include receipts.
• Assists youth with maintaining cleanliness, completing daily chores, and cooking.
• Writes clear and concise shift notes and maintains daily logs on all youth.

• Works as part of a team environment by providing support and assistance whenever needed.
• Timely prepares and submits all…