Fostering Connections Specialist; CYFD​/FSD

Job Title Fostering Connections Specialist (CYFD/FSD #)

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Job Requirements & Classification

Description:

At the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), every role is an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, youth, and families across our state. We are committed to building a compassionate, skilled, and dedicated workforce that works collaboratively to ensure safety, promote well-being, and strengthen families. Whether you are in the field supporting families face-to-face, working behind the scenes to improve systems, or helping to shape the agency from a leadership level, your work here has purpose and long-lasting impact.

Join a team that values integrity, resilience, and service and be part of meaningful change for New Mexico's future.

THIS POSTING MAY BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANTS LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.

Incumbent will partner effectively with young people to support the transition from foster care to adulthood in developmentally appropriate and identity affirming ways; facilitate enrollment and ongoing participation in the Fostering Connections program; implement the coaching approach practice model to support growth across life domains (housing, physical and mental health, daily living skills, employment and finances, education, supportive relationships and community connections, cultural and personal identity;

parenthood); serve as an partner, advocate, and support to young people in internal and external staffing's, meetings, and with community-based providers; ensure opportunities to participate in normative activities that build (life) skills needed for successful adulthood. Provide technical assistance to the field, foster/adoptive families, providers, and the community regarding youth and emerging adult development, the impact of trauma, and best practices to support engagement and thriving;

provide technical assistance regarding the Chafee Act, NM Older Youth Services, and other legislation/policy/ procedures that impact work with older youth.

Support development and deepening of resilience, as well as cognitive and social-emotional development, helping young people understand and learn from their past and bounce back better in tough situations:

• Utilize a strengths-based approach, including validating and supporting good decisions
• Support youth as key decision makers in the development of their transition plan and life choices
• Connect youth to opportunities and normative activities to practice decision-making and adult responsibilities
• Encourage self-care and stress management skill development
• Explore with youth how past experiences may shape current behavior and emotional responses and what can be done to overcome challenges posed by trauma history
• Connect youth to resources that support development (e.g., tutoring, counseling, interest-related activities)
• Support young people in leading their transition plan development, reviews, etc. (e.g., choose the location, make phone calls, set the date)

Support the development, expansion, and strengthening of young peoples social networks:

• Use the practice model (coaching approach) as an opportunity to help youth develop stronger relationship skills and address ways to handle problematic relationships
• Maintain connection to siblings, birth family members, past foster parents and other important adults whenever possible
• Connect youth to peers and communities with similar circumstances and backgrounds and to programs related to their interests, including housing placements that positively affirm identity
• Encourage youth and supportive adults to address any issues that make it hard for youth to…