Community Connections YouThrive Specialist

Community Connections Youth Thrive Specialist

Job Category:
Children & Youth Programs

Job Status:
Part-time, non-exempt

Reports to:

Program Manager

Job Summary:

The Community Connections You Thrive (CCYT) Specialist provides one-on-one services in the community to young adults, ages 17-26, who are currently or formerly in the foster care system. CCYT Specialists assist young adults in determining goals for a successful transition from foster care to independent adulthood. Specialists then support young adults in reaching their goals via guidance and connections to community resources.

CCYT is a peer-to-peer model and as such, staff must have personally experienced any of the following during their childhood/adolescence: foster care, kinship or relative care, homelessness, or mandated family-centered services. This lived expertise helps Specialists to build trust, credibility, and meaningful connections with the youth we serve.

Responsibilities:
Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Receive and manage referrals from leadership, delivering timely assistance to support clients within program guidelines.
• Prioritize and manage multiple cases simultaneously while maintaining frequent, open communication with direct supervisor regarding services delivered, concerns or questions.
• Utilize trauma-informed practices to support and equip youth for adulthood.
• Assist youth in building competencies regarding critical life domains such as housing, education, transportation, employment, health, identity, social connections, and finances via a relational, strengths-based approach.
• Connect youth with community support services to improve their access to various resources including basic needs assistance, bill payment support, tutoring resources, recreational activities, scholarships, and other supportive programs.
• Consistently and proactively communicate with clients and conduct bi-weekly meetings in accordance with program guidelines to monitor progress toward goal completion.
• Schedule client visits, complete assessments, and create Action Plans, in partnership with the youth while ensuring compliance with program guidelines.
• Collect information from caregivers and case managers to expand the client's support system and family connections.
• Collect and record all data to complete and maintain up-to-date documentation of clients within program guidelines in FAC client database.
• Provide transportation as needed to assist client(s) in achieving identified goals.
• Provide driving lessons to client(s) as requested or needed.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and community partners to create strong partnerships to enable a continual flow of regularly received referrals. Participate in outreach efforts as assigned. Attend community meetings as needed. Participate as an active team member with all agency departments and attend meetings as assigned.
• Participate in ongoing meetings/professional memberships and trainings as required by the Program Manager.
• Actively contribute both independently and as part of a team; participate in team meetings and collaborate with colleagues across departments.

Required Qualifications

• Personal lived experience during childhood or adolescence in any of the following: foster care, informal kinship care, homelessness, and/or mandatory family-centered systems of care services in the home.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Reliable transportation and ability to transport youth if needed.
• Experience working with marginalized communities with an understanding of the barriers that impact underserved communities. Quickly establish rapport and build trust.
• Adaptable and proactive self-starter who effectively multitasks while maintaining strong attention to detail and organization to meet all objectives and deadlines.
• Collaborate effectively within diverse, multidisciplinary teams and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills by adjusting communication approaches to effectively engage clients, families, and colleagues.
• Proven ability to write clearly, concisely, and effectively for a variety of audiences.
• Follow confidentiality guidelines and appropriate handling of sensitive information.
• Model ethical and professional behaviors at all times.
• Maintain flexibility in work schedule, including availability for evenings and weekends as needed.
• Travel required within surrounding counties with or without accommodation.

Preferred Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in social work or in a related human services field.
• Experience working directly with youth aging out of foster care.
• Experience working with marginalized communities with a nuanced understanding of systemic oppress ions.
• Experience in completing detailed and timely case documentation and data entry.

Compensation & Benefits

• Hourly rate $21.50/hour; compensation commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including:
• 403(b) retirement plan with up to a 6% employer match.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Paid time off after 90 days.

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