Youth and Family Engagement Specialist

Youth and Family Engagement Specialist (YAFES)

The Youth and Family Engagement Specialist (YAFES) will provide and support direct services to youth and their families aimed at promoting health, wellness, and academic success in our service area. The role focuses on prevention, early identification, intervention, and ongoing support for students impacted by social determinants of health using trauma‑informed approaches. Most services are delivered within the school setting both during and after school, supporting the School Based Health Center (SBHC), while also engaging in community outreach and engagement.

• Lead and facilitate group sessions based on evidence‑based curriculum focused on reproductive health, prevention, peer support, and leadership development that address social determinants of health.
• Collaborate with internal (HFC clinical teams and program directors) and external (student support teams) to design and update youth programming and services based on data and best practices.
• Provide necessary referrals, care coordination, point‑of‑care testing, and follow‑up services to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of students.

• Provide individual and collective youth groups for students identified by intervention and student success groups to provide peer support, life skills, and resources.
• Conduct and facilitate group assessments to identify and address emerging needs of youth participants and their families.
• Support development of processes, procedures, workflows, and policies that streamline coordination between the school, student/families, and Health Finders.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of all contacts, referrals, and interventions complying with HIPAA, organizational policies, and state minor consent laws.

• Support and conduct outreach and engagement events and community‑based programming to increase awareness and participation of youth and families, including evening and weekend shifts.
• Serve as key staff in supporting outreach and engagement efforts and be an active participant on the Community Engagement team.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with students, families, school staff, community organizations, and health system partners to promote health, wellbeing, and academic success.
• Attend collaborative meetings with student support teams to discuss opportunities to address risk factors youth may experience and consult with teachers and staff regarding social needs that students may present.
• Provide ongoing educational support within the school and community as it relates to family and community services/programming.

• Manage program records, attendance tracking, supply organization, and other administrative duties as assigned.
• Assist SBHC in maintaining confidential student records and data entry to ensure accurate tracking of services and follow‑up.
• Obtain and maintain MNsure certification to assist youth and families with health care enrollment.
• Support grant program goals including documentation, data collection, and reporting.
• Engage in continuous professional development to apply evidence‑based practices in youth development and engagement.

• Attend regular HFC staff and departmental meetings and participate in training and other educational opportunities.
• Complete documentation of work in accordance with data tracking and management requirements.
• Maintain clear professional boundaries with students and families as well as with school staff.
• Maintain certifications and training that support all the above job responsibilities.
• Other tasks and duties as assigned by supervisor to support the SBHC and youth development.

• Strong belief in the organization’s mission.
• Fluency in Spanish or Somali cross‑cultural and linguistic skills.
• Educational and community organizing experience preferred but not required.
• Strong computer skills and ability to multitask.
• Excellent customer service skills, strictly maintain client privacy and confidentiality.
• Able to work independently, some evenings and weekends.
• Ability to pass a thorough background check with the Department of Human Services.