CCS Youth Advocate

Briarpatch Youth Services has an exciting job opportunity for a skilled professional. The agency is a dynamic non-profit community organization that has served Dane County since 1971. Briarpatch provides a broad array of services to more than 2,000 youth annually who have run away, are experiencing homelessness, are justice involved, or facing other challenges.

This position is contingent upon continued grant funding and Medicaid reimbursement.

Days/

Hours:

Full Time Monday-Friday 40 hours per week. Limited weekends as needed.

Type:
Full Time

Exempt/Non-Exempt:
Non-Exempt Salaried

Pay Range:
Starting pay is $21.50 per hour. Additional compensation may be available based on demonstrated bilingual abilities, job-related advanced degrees, and professional experience.

Work Location:

2720 Rimrock Road, Fitchburg, WI 53713 and various community locations. It is the expectation of the program that Service Facilitators (Advocates) shall be available to provide in-person services to CCS participants when needed.

Final date to receive applications:
July 23, 2026

(Agency may begin interviewing candidates upon receipt of resumes from qualified applicants.)

The Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) Youth Advocate is responsible for providing service coordination and support aimed at reducing the impact of serious mental health challenges in youth and young adults. CCS is a statewide program administered by counties for program participants who need ongoing services for a mental illness, intellectual, developmental and other disabilities, substance use disorder, or a dual diagnosis beyond occasional outpatient care, but less than the intensive care provided in an inpatient setting.

The program participant works with a dedicated team of service providers to develop a strengths‑based treatment and recovery plan to meet the participant’s unique needs and goals.

• Receive and review CCS referrals of youth and young adults that have been recommended to receive service facilitation services.
• Utilize effective strategies to engage program participants, enhance motivation, and encourage meaningful, collaborative, and strengths‑based goal planning and progress.
• Provide assessment, planning, linkage, and system‑wide service facilitation to assertively respond to the urgent and emergent needs of enrolled program participants.
• Provide screening and assessment, service linkage, service facilitation, skill development, and other allowable and appropriate services on the CCS service array in a manner that is person centered, trauma informed, culturally relevant, and non‑stigmatizing.
• Create individualized service plans with each consumer and have regular (at least every six months) team meetings with each consumer, their providers, and their support systems.
• Assist the program participants with identifying and establishing natural and professional support in the community.
• Maintain contact with program participants to a degree sufficient to support effective engagement as well as monitor and assist progress.
• Complete charting for all billable services and all other documentation within the CCS time frame.
• Complete all participant‑related and program‑related paperwork according to established timelines.
• Participate in weekly supervision, including individual and group supervision, and work collaboratively with teammates to ensure high quality of service.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Required:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in social, human services, and related field.
• Minimum 2-year experience working with culturally diverse individuals or families on issues related to mental health, intellectual, developmental, or other disabilities.
• Commitment to strength‑based, trauma‑informed, recovery‑focused programming with clients starting CCS with high needs and few resources.

• Proficient computer skills, specifically in current versions of Microsoft Office Suite; and willingness to learn new skills as needed or required.
• Demonstrated strong written, verbal, and organizational communication skills.
• Requires a detail‑oriented skill set with the ability to multi‑task in an organized and…