EMP Child & Youth Advocate

Solid Ground (SG) is an award-winning nonprofit organization whose proven, holistic approach helps families build the strong foundations they need to emerge from homelessness into a brighter future. Through safe, affordable housing and innovative supportive programming, Solid Ground helps families transition to a higher-level of self-sufficiency and break the cycle of homelessness and poverty for the next generation.

At the heart of Solid Ground is the belief that housing stability is fundamental to the healthy development of children and to a family’s ability to be contributing members of the community. Solid Ground currently runs eight programs in suburban Ramsey and Washington Counties and housing over 660 individuals annually. Our mission is to prevent and end homelessness for families with children in the communities we serve through housing, resources, and opportunity.

$23.00 - $25.00 per hour depending on qualifications and level of experience

• Paid vacation and sick time
• 12 paid holidays
• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and options for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Long-term disability insurance – the employer pays the premiums
• Employer-paid basic life insurance with the option for additional coverage paid by the employee
• Voluntary benefits:
  Accident, hospital indemnity, critical illness, short-term disability insurance
• SG sponsors a retirement plan with automatic enrollment at 3% and a 3% employer match after one year of service, plus immediate vesting.

Because Solid Ground is a member with Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities (MACC) who partners with St. Mary’s University, Solid Ground employees and their spouses are also eligible for the following benefits y’s University:

• Discounted tuition for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate programs
• Access to advancement (internships, job placement, field practice)

Solid Ground is hiring an EMP Child & Youth Advocate to assist children and their parents entering our East Metro Place (EMP) transitional housing program. The role focuses on helping families access affordable childcare and early childhood learning opportunities to provide educational support to children and youth who have formally experienced homelessness.

• Meet regularly with parents, children, and youth to assist them in developing and achieving goals related to education, health and wellness, positive child and youth development, and parenting.
• Provide mentorship and advocacy to children and youth.
• Assist with enrolling children in the local school system, including helping with Individual Education Plans and attending school meetings and Child Protection meetings related to Child Protective Services.
• Monitor attendance and academic achievement of all school age children and help them improve their academic success by addressing barriers.
• Assist families in obtaining and maintaining supplemental benefits including WIC Childcare Assistance and early learning scholarships.
• Assist families in completing the appropriate screenings around early childhood education and make appropriate referrals when needed.
  
  Assist families in obtaining birth certificates and other legal documents for all children.
• Assist families in registering for summer school, community education, and other extracurricular activities.
• Assist families in locating and touring childcare facilities and connecting them to financial assistance as needed.
• Assist families in locating a medical home for their children and follow up on medical needs and mental health services.
• Assist older youth (aged 13+) with exploring higher education options (financial aid, college tours, trade school).
• Support older youth (aged 13+) with employment skill building, finding jobs, and maintaining employment.
• Plan and facilitate tutoring, after school groups, summer camp activities, and field trips for children and youth.
• Provide short term, respite childcare to families.
• Collaborate with school social workers, teachers, and liaisons to support students socially and academically.
• Provide community resources and referrals for families, including…