Forward Journey Coach; Residential

Forward Journey Coach (Residential)

SCO Family of Services

Job Title: Forward Journey (Residential) Coach
Department: Education & Parent Support Services
Location: Brooklyn/Queens/Brentwood
Reports To: Forward Journey Coach Supervisor
Supervises: N/A

As part of SCO’s Forward Journey Initiative, the Forward Journey Coach works one-on-one with youth to develop individualized academic, career development, and housing goals based on their interests and strengths. Support includes connecting youth to quality schools, programs, resources, and opportunities aligned with these goals, while providing ongoing social and emotional guidance, including linking youth to peer support groups that foster positive relationships.

In the Residential setting, the Forward Journey Coach plays a vital role in guiding and mentoring youth living in group homes, helping them build life skills, resilience, and pathways toward independence.

• Community-based:
  Staff meet youth wherever is best for them (e.g., home, school, community).
• Systemic approach:
  Incorporates multiple aspects of the youth’s natural ecology (community, peers, family, school).
• Comprehensive:
  Addressing the full range of a youth’s needs and goals (academic, career, housing, relationships).

• Build relationships with youth and provide ongoing social and emotional support.
• Work 1:1 with youth to develop individualized academic and career development goals (including financial literacy) based on their interests and strengths and take measurable steps towards their goals.
• Connect youth to quality schools, programs, resources, and opportunities in line with their goals.
• Help youth succeed in these settings, navigate any challenges that arise, celebrate success, and plan/prepare for the next step on their journey.
• Collaborate with Case Planners, Tutors, Specialists, Foster Parent, and Parents, as needed, to help youth achieve their goals and ensure their overall well-being.
• Connect youth to Peer Group supports and build positive relationships.
• Transport youth to/from school when necessary.
• Complete PYA Tasks including PAT Tool.
• Complete Youth Voice Questionnaire for youth (14-up).
• Facilitate My Journey Groups for youth.
• Facilitate PYA Monthly Workshops.
• Attend and complete all Fair Futures trainings.
• Input child information into all required data platforms and systems.
• Other tasks as assigned by Supervisor.

• Re-engage disconnected youth and help them re-enroll in an academic setting.
• Assess the fit between youth and their current academic setting and help them transfer into a better‑fit high school or high school equivalency program, if needed.
• Visit the youth’s school/program bi‑monthly and build relationships with school staff.
• Review transcripts and academic data, provide educational advocacy, and discuss progress towards graduation/HSE obtainment.
• Ensure young people are attending school and have the supports and resources they need to be successful (e.g., tutoring, IEPs, 504 Plans, special accommodations).
• Expose and assist students to post‑secondary pathways and planning such as college, accredited vocational programs, and internships starting in the 9th grade (or as early as possible).
• Maintain school stability.

• Assist youth with obtaining working papers, if needed.
• Conduct career exploration activities with youth.
• Assist all youth to select at least one career development experience each year that aligns with their interests and academic background.
• Work with the youth and Career Development Specialist to identify potential longer‑term career pathways.
• Connect youth to the Career Development Specialist, if needed, for workforce development programs, vocational programs, and job application assistance.
• Connect youth to agency‑based job readiness and/or internship programs (e.g., YA WORC or Mentored Internship Program).
• Provide persistence coaching to youth enrolled in any external program by checking in regularly.

• Coordinate with Housing Specialist to ensure youth submit housing applications (by age 18 when appropriate).
• Accom…