Youth Advocate

Job Summary

At Catholic Charities of Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton Counties, every team member plays an essential role in advancing our mission to serve vulnerable individuals and families with compassion and dignity. As part of our team, you will contribute to a wide range of services aimed at fostering hope, healing, and empowerment within the communities we serve.

Youth Advocates at Catholic Charities IEC Children’s Home provide direct care, supervision, and daily engagement to youth placed in our Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) and Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) programs. As core members of the care team, Youth Advocates ensure a safe, structured, and trauma‑informed living environment while modeling healthy relationships and supporting youth in skill development, emotional regulation, and daily living tasks.

Youth Advocate I is an entry‑level role for candidates new to residential work.

Youth Advocate II is for individuals with additional experience or education in human services and greater responsibility in role modeling, de‑escalation, and leading peer support in youth settings.

Catholic Charities of Ingham, Eaton & Clinton Counties is a ministry of the Diocese of Lansing and is guided by Catholic Social Teaching and the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. All employees are expected to support and uphold the mission, values, and teachings of Catholic Charities in their daily work. Employees serve as representatives of the organization and are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with Catholic Social Teaching and the mission of the agency.

As part of the interview process, candidates will be provided with the Diocese of Lansing Catholic Charities Core Values and Commitment to Mission document. Candidates must review, acknowledge, and be willing to abide by these expectations as a condition of employment. A fully supported and energetic attitude toward our core values, Catholic Social Teaching, and commitment to serving vulnerable individuals and families with dignity and compassion is required.

• Maintain direct supervision and a safe environment for youth at all times in accordance with CCI licensing ratios.
• Build supportive, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate relationships with youth.
• Use trauma‑informed practices to support emotional and behavioral regulation, including ARC and Safety‑Care principles.
• Actively engage with youth in therapeutic routines, recreation, chores, education, and daily programming.
• Support new admissions, transitions, and discharge routines as directed.

• Respond to behavioral incidents in accordance with training and agency protocol, using de‑escalation and Safety‑Care physical interventions only as a last resort.
• Follow individual behavior support and intervention plans.
• Immediately report critical incidents, suspected abuse/neglect, or safety concerns to supervisors and document accurately.
• Monitor youth for medical and psychiatric concerns, and notify nursing staff or supervisors as needed.

• Complete shift logs, observation forms, incident reports, and other documentation thoroughly and on time.
• Ensure cleanliness, order, and organization in living areas in accordance with health and safety standards.
• Administer youth belongings checks and room searches per agency policy.
• Assist youth in meeting personal care needs and room expectations.
• Participate in medication pass support (escorting and monitoring only; no administration).

• Attend staff meetings, shift change debriefings, and required training.
• Collaborate with unit supervisors, clinical staff, case managers, and educators to support holistic care.
• Provide observations and feedback during MDT discussions or treatment team meetings when requested.
• Participate in continuous quality improvement efforts and staff wellness initiatives.

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Experience working with youth in any setting preferred.
• Ability to…