Youth and Family Services Coordinator - Administrator IV

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

This position serves as the family engagement authority regarding services provided across the DYS continuum, including program and policy development and problem solving when conflicts arise. This position is instrumental in giving youth and families a voice in division-wide change initiatives and DYS policies and procedures. It allows families to work with a division employee who is outside of a facility and provides support at pivotal times in the youth’s detainment or commitment.

The position supports DYS staff in developing new avenues of inclusion for families and provides opportunities for professional development to better understand the youth and families served. It works to establish working relationships with families involved with the division as well as collaborating with CDHS agency partners to best serve our youth and families.

This position is a leadership role and representative of the Central Office when participating, supporting, or leading the committees and/or work groups affiliated with family engagement across the DYS continuum. The role conveys decisions to the Regional Services Administrator and Regional Leadership Team and facilitates next steps and additional addendums to decisions for both DYS and families. It serves as a pivotal decision maker in how internal committees proceed with statewide initiatives focused around youth and family engagement within the DYS continuum.

• Implement the risk, needs, and responsivity approach as related to youth and family services.
• Design and monitor case management tools and forms.
• Provide guidance to juvenile justice processes required for aggravated juvenile offenders, violent offenders, and offense‑specific youth.
• Involve family support systems and representatives.
• Apply motivational interviewing techniques.
• Maintain ongoing family engagement.
• Recruit and connect with community providers and other state agencies involved with youth and families.
• Adhere to laws and rules related to the Children's Code and DYS policies.
• Support youth rights and responsibilities.
• Develop policy related to family engagement, involvement, and visitation.

• Participate in external committees that partner with DYS or are within CDHS.
• Support communication and partnership in external partner agencies.
• Participate in community forums to inform the public about regional programs and services.
• Provide support to families that contract with DYS to assist other families involved with DYS.
• Represent DYS on external and internal committees specific to family engagement and involvement.
• Provide DYS representation when working with external agencies and other CDHS partnering divisions.
• Work within regions and youth centers with youth and families to prepare for returning to the community.
• Collaborate with transition specialists within youth centers to support youth and families.
• Coordinate the implementation of consistent youth and family‑centered practices in the division’s transition processes statewide.
• Collaborate with family representatives involved with the Family Advisory Council and Family Support Groups.
• Support families in understanding the multidisciplinary team process and meetings.
• Facilitate the Family Engagement committee composed of DYS professionals, CDHS representation, and family members.
• Develop an understanding of DYS and CYDC initiatives and procedures with the Regional Services Administrator.
• Gain familiarity with DYS staff interactions with families involved in the juvenile justice system.
• Build trust with families and seek engagement and feedback from families in Family Support Groups and Family Advisory Councils.

• Implement change management principles around youth and family support within DYS youth centers, regions, and CYDC.
• Take a leadership role in collaborating with regional and youth center representatives to lead change initiatives.
• Assist in creating curriculum for DYS staff with family engagement.
• Provide coaching and guidance to champions during change…