Services Youth Advancement Coordinator

Summary

The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) and the Child Placement Accountability Commission (CPAC) are tasked with administering the Ivyane Davis Memorial Scholarship fund. This fund was established to provide scholarships for post‑secondary education to Delaware youth who experienced foster care. The OCA, on CPAC’s behalf, also administers the federal Chafee Educational and Training Vouchers (ETV) Program, a federal funding resource for scholarships.

In addition, the OCA is responsible for administering the Tuition Waiver program established by the passage of the Fostering Independence Through Education Tuition Waiver Program in 2022. This program supports qualifying youth who spent time in Delaware’s foster care system to access higher education by waiving tuition, fees and, where offered, room and board at Delaware State University, Delaware Technical Community College and the University of Delaware.

The OCA is also responsible for implementing the Driver’s License and Insurance (DLI) Program for youth and young adults who experienced foster care in Delaware, a program that provides resources and supports to break down barriers associated with obtaining a driver’s license and automobile insurance.

Applicants who do not possess the preferred qualification will still be eligible if job requirements are met.

• Proficient in Excel.
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications.
• Excellent verbal and written communication.
• Awareness of the child welfare and foster care system.
• Experience working with teens and young adults.
• Experience writing policy, procedure and reports.
• Ability to travel statewide.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. The SYA Coordinator shall serve as one of the two staff persons to oversee the DLI program. This includes on‑going updates to the DLI application process, oversight of public‑facing education material, data input, stakeholder trainings, CPAC report‑outs, coordination of services with youth participants, their support team and community partners, collaboration with state agencies such as the Department of Education, the Delaware Department of Transportation and the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families and management of the program’s budget.

In addition, the SYA Coordinator will manage the ETV and Ivyane Davis Memorial scholarship program and the Tuition Waiver program, attend work groups, trainings and conferences.

• Administering the scholarship application process for the Ivyane Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund, Chafee ETV Program, Tuition Waiver Program and the Driver’s License and Insurance Program.
• Preparing reports related to the scholarship and DLI activities and regularly reviewing both application process, policy and procedure to determine if updates are needed.
• Working directly with youth to complete the applications together with all needed documentation.
• Assisting students with their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and all other aspects of the college or trade school application process.
• Collaborating with Independent Living Providers, who support youth, ages 14 and older, in out‑of‑home placement, to promote the scholarship and DLI opportunities and to coordinate the applications from youth and to determine the appropriate awards and services under the different programs.
• Interviewing youth applicants for scholarships.
• Preparing and issuing award letters to students.
• Coordinating with partnered organizations to connect youth with DLI services.
• Submitting monthly invoices.
• Maintaining regular contact and communication and support of youth participating in the programs.
• Management of a budget that includes adhering to state and federal fiscal rules on different spending plans.
• Staffing the CPAC Services for Youth Advancement Committee, which administers the scholarships, Tuition Waiver and DLI programs.
• Supporting Delaware’s Youth Advisory Council, HOPE, by attending meetings, sharing input and providing guidance to youth.
• Coordinating…