Youth Support Specialist - Weekends

Organizational Mission

Ever Forward is on a mission to transform lives. We champion trauma-informed, evidence-based care for children and families, and it all begins with empowering our team. Through expert training and unwavering compliance, we ensure our staff are equipped to deliver the kind of support that makes a lifelong difference.

Ever Forward is on a mission to transform lives. We champion trauma-informed, evidence-based care for children and families, and it all begins with empowering our team. Through expert training and unwavering compliance, we ensure our staff are equipped to deliver the kind of support that makes a lifelong difference.

This role is a part-time position, covering weekends.

The Youth Support Specialist plays an essential frontline role in the therapeutic care and daily support of youth in our Residential Group Care program. This position is responsible for ensuring the consistent implementation of trauma-informed, youth-centered practices through active engagement, supervision, and mentoring of residents. The Youth Support Specialist contributes to a structured, nurturing environment by modeling healthy behaviors, supporting individualized treatment plans, and maintaining the routines and safety protocols of the program.

Working closely with clinical staff and program leadership, this role is foundational to delivering high-quality, person-centered care and supporting the emotional, social, and developmental growth of the youth we serve.

• Creating a safe and supportive environment through active supervision and positive role modeling.
• Guiding youth in building essential life skills from healthy social interaction to emotional regulation and coping strategies.
• Leading group and individual activities that promote education, recreation, social development, and community engagement.
• Supporting therapeutic programs, assisting in delivering individual and group services, and documenting progress accurately and on time.
• Collaborating on treatment plans and participating in goal-setting and progress reviews, including debriefs after weekend visits home.
• Encouraging personal responsibility, helping youth with hygiene, chores, and daily routines.
• Assisting in the daily operations of the group home, from preparing meals and basic upkeep to medication distribution and recordkeeping.
• Actively engaging families and/or teams, sharing insights on youth progress, and fostering ongoing communication.
• Participating and attending team meetings, trainings, and workshops to support ongoing growth and stay up-to-date with best practices, including training in trauma-informed care.

• A bachelor’s degree in a human services-related field from an accredited college or university, or a high school diploma paired with substantial experience and training in education, human services, or a related field.

• At least one year of experience working with children with serious emotional disturbances (SED) is required
• Experience in residential treatment, group home care, special education, or related human services environments
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care practices and de-escalation techniques
• Exposure to treatment planning, therapeutic goal setting, or interdisciplinary collaboration
• Prior involvement in recreational programming, mentorship, or structured youth activities
• Experience managing challenging behaviors with empathy, consistency, and clear boundaries
• Competence in maintaining accurate documentation and shift communication logs
• Previous roles…