Youth Advocate

Job Description

Job Description

Are you dedicated to empowering and supporting youth, regardless of their background? We're searching for passionate individuals to make a positive impact on the lives of foster youth. Become an integral part of their transformative journey and join the First Place for Youth team. 

About First Place for Youth, we’re a leading non-profit organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood, with a focus on education, employment, and housing. We believe that all young people deserve the opportunity to thrive and lead successful, independent lives. Our comprehensive programs empower foster youth to overcome the unique challenges they face and build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed.

  Why Work at First Place for Youth :

• Meaningful Impact :  Help to transform the lives of foster youth on the cusp of adulthood. Your role will support them in their journey to conquer challenges, achieve independence, and fulfill their aspirations.
• Innovative Approach:  We thrive on innovation, pushing the boundaries of foster care support. Your voice here matters, and you’ll contribute to programs that redefine the futures of these young lives.
• Collaborative and Supportive Environment: Embrace a dynamic and supportive workplace, where every team member is valued. Together, we're a force dedicated to uplifting youth. Expect professional growth, fueled by teamwork and collaboration.
• Comprehensive Benefits: We value the well-being of our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package. From health and wellness benefits to retirement plans, we ensure that our team members are taken care of so they can focus on their important work supporting foster youth.
• Culture of Diversity and Inclusion: We celebrate diversity in every form. At First Place for Youth, inclusivity reigns, creating a workplace where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Youth Advocate (YA)-ACSF is a hybrid position responsible for case management, psycho-social assessment, targeted life skills, employment and education coaching, and development and implementation of intervention strategies to foster care youth in our MFP program. The position provides coaching to support each youth to achieve goals of housing stability, sustainable and sustaining employment, and educational achievement. The YA must understand what it takes to support youth in developing goals related to secondary and post-secondary education, career development and obtaining and maintaining a pathway to living wage. The YA is active in developing, supporting and implementing an individualized, strength ‘based, culturally competent, youth-centered approach. A Successful Youth Advocate understands how to motivate, influence, and mentor young adults to achieve goals while launching adult lives from foster care. This position is a combination of onsite, youth’s home and community-based work Monday through Friday.

DUTIES + RESPONSIBILITIES 

Direct Care and Interventions:

• Provide youth with individual counseling, crisis intervention, referrals, advocacy and life skills training.
• Conduct weekly, in person meetings with youth assigned to caseload to develop independent living related goals and identify steps to achieve goals, including financial literacy, wellness, good tenancy, parenting, relationships, education planning and employment supports. Provide continuous coaching, identify barriers and develop joint-plans to achieve success with youth and natural supporters.
• In-residence visits are mandatory as outlined in the program guidelines.
• Gathers and analyzes on-going information to ensure youth safety, well-being and progress.
• Provide career coaching through job readiness, handling work-related issues, promote self-advocacy and increase success in job retention and growth, as well as education research, preparedness and steps towards completion.
• Organizes, schedules, and facilitates youth and team meetings.
• Provides on-going assessment of youth well-being and develops plans to ensure safety, preventative interventions planning and de-escalate crisis as needed.
• Collaborates with community providers including county workers, courts, professionals, vocational and independent living skills programs, schools, employers, family members and significant others.
• Prepare clients to maintain housing after program exit or help them to identify alternative housing options if necessary.

Documentation/Administrative Duties 

• Attend weekly program meetings, monthly agency staff meetings, and individual weekly supervision with Program Manager
• Completes documentation including but not limited to Care and Services plans, needs assessments, and progress notes.
• Ensures all needed paperwork and consents are completed for each client at time of entry.
• Maintain files for caseload and update monthly paperwork 
• Participates in agency committee as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA in social work, psychology, counselling or equivalent required with Minimum four years of experience working in a child welfare social services setting or with transition age youth with complex presentations including chronic trauma. 
• Master's Degree in a social work, psychology, counselling or equivalent preferred. 
• A strong dedication to cultural competency that creates conditions that remove barriers and increase a sense of belonging. 
• Must be comfortable working in community settings. 
• Willingness to work collaboratively, but with the capacity to work independently 
• Must be able to pass a Community Care Licensing background check 
• Must have a car, a valid CA driver’s license and auto insurance. 
• Computer skills -- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including MS Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint, Project and Outlook. 
• Experience with database systems
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend work and some travel as needed.

  Benefits:

• 15 days of vacation time in the first year
• 12 days of sick time
• 2 floating holidays
• 15 paid holidays
• Employee’s choice of Kaiser or UCH HMO/PPO with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place on certain plans
• Principal dental and vision coverage with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place
• Healthcare and Dependent care FSA plans
• Principal basic life and voluntary life insurance coverage
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k) retirement savings plan 
• Paid sabbatical

Bachelor's Degree Pay Range: $30.52 - $32.22/Hourly

Master's Degree Pay Range: $33.81 - $35.91/Hourly