Youth Intervention Advocate

Youth Intervention Advocate

Full Time Seattle, WA, US

REST exists to expand pathways to freedom, safety and hope in order to end sex trafficking. REST offers programs that are centered on the strengths, needs and individual choices of each survivor we serve. We offer a continuum of care that includes outreach, a 24/7 hotline, community advocates, a drop-in center, an economic empowerment program, emergency shelter, residential program, and housing services.

We are inspired by our faith as a Christian organization, are dedicated to serving people of all faith backgrounds, and do not require faith engagement. Our culture is influenced by our values of belonging, honor, trustworthiness, and tenacity.

All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran or disability status. This position is open to cisgender and transgender females as the primary work location is for women only. As a Christian organization, this position must work in harmony with the organization’s statement of faith and support the spiritual health of the organization.

The Youth Intervention Advocate provides relationship-centered advocacy, case management, and individualized support to youth who have experienced or are at increased risk of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE). Working from a trauma-informed, strengths-based, youth-centered, and harm-reduction approach, the Advocate receives warm handoffs and referrals from schools, youth-serving organizations, community partners, healthcare providers, and other referral sources. The Advocate completes rapid intake and individualized safety planning while partnering with each young person to identify their strengths, immediate needs, and personal goals for safety, stability, and well-being.

Maintaining a capped caseload, the Youth Intervention Advocate provides ongoing case management, consistent follow-up, and coordination of services based on each young person’s individual needs and goals. Support may include connections to safe housing, behavioral and physical healthcare, substance use services, education, employment, transportation, basic needs, benefits, legal resources, and other community-based services. The Advocate works closely with REST’s Crisis Team and Youth Prevention Outreach & Community Engagement Specialist to provide coordinated support across intervention, outreach, prevention, and stabilization services.

The Youth Intervention Advocate also builds strong collaborative relationships with schools, behavioral health and healthcare providers, child welfare, juvenile justice, housing programs, and other youth-serving organizations to coordinate care and strengthen referral pathways for youth. This position is ideal for someone with experience in youth outreach, youth case management, advocacy, social services, child welfare services, juvenile justice systems, crisis intervention, or community-based youth programs who is passionate about building trusted relationships with young people and helping them navigate complex systems.

ADVOCACY & CASE MANAGEMENT

• Maintain a caseload of 15-20 youth who have experienced or are at increased risk of commercial exploitation
• Complete timely intake, needs assessments, and individualized service plans in partnership with each young person.
• Advocate on the behalf of youth in areas such as court,
• Receive and respond to referrals from local community youth organizations, schools, healthcare providers, child welfare and juvenile justice providers as well as other youth serving partners.
• Build consistent, trusting relationships with youth using trauma-informed, strengths-based, harm reduction, and culturally responsive approaches.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with local organizations and providers to ensure smooth referral processes for youth.

• Meet youth where they are both physically and developmentally and provide culturally appropriate services in community-based settings when appropriate.
• Support youth in identifying personal goals and developing achievable steps toward safety, stability, independence, and overall well-being.
• Support youth through transitions, including changes in housing, school, treatment, employment, family circumstances, or other significant life events
• Celebrate progress and help youth recognize their strengths, resilience, and accomplishments throughout their participation in services.

• Conduct ongoing safety assessments and develop individualized safety plans with youth experiencing exploitation, violence, housing instability, or other safety concerns.
• Recognize changes and respond appropriately to youth in crises partnering with the REST Crisis Team and Hotline to assist with urgent safety planning, crisis intervention, emergency resources or additional stabilization supports.
• Provide youth with education and tools to recognize unsafe situations,…