Youth Advocate

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Assistant Community School Director, Youth Advocates will work with chronically absent youth to address the barriers keeping them from going to school every day- and to help them reach their educational outcomes. The Youth Advocate will help identify the causes of poor attendance, which may include family struggles or poor health and work with CAS staff and DOE to seek solutions. Success mentors may also be asked to work directly with groups of youth, lead activities, and organize events. The incumbent will understand and promote the organization’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with the functions of the position.

Children’s Aid Mission

To help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive support to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Children’s Aid annually serves children and their families at over 40 sites in New York, as well as through three national program models. Children’s Aid is concentrating its efforts on creating cradle-through-college pathways in high-need neighborhoods, with a focus on children’s health, family stability, education, and social and emotional development.

Culture and Values

We put children, youth, and families first: We listen to and incorporate the voices of children, youth and families in all that we do.

We seek equity and transformation in our communities: We courageously work within and outside systems to create opportunities for children, youth and families.

We strive for excellence: We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.

We are powered by collaboration: Our work is stronger when we trust, partner, and respect each other and the communities we serve.

We are driven by compassion: We lead with kindness, care, and empathy and believe in the endless potential of the people we serve and our team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Have a caseload of 15-20 youth and are matched with their mentees for a full year.
Provide light case management (assess the need and strengths of a student and plan interventions).
Meet and greet matched youth each morning/afternoon when they arrive at school or program site; make early morning phone calls to absent students.
Track and monitor attendance data of the students in their grades and celebrate improvements.
Meet with mentees regularly, both one-one and in small groups, to check in on how school is going and listen to youth’s needs.
Work with school and site leadership to identify appropriate interventions to support and engage the mentee.
Seek advice and identify target source of youth or family support from appropriate school staff and community-based partners under the direction of the Site Director.
Keep up to date and accurate notes about youth attendance patterns, needs and interventions.
Attend (or be represented at) weekly student success mentor meetings to share best practices or challenges and to present a summary of how youth are doing.
Work with groups of youth to develop and maintain an effective system of classroom management that encourages children to develop pro-social behavior and self-discipline.
Communicate regularly with Director or other designated CAS personnel regarding needs and supplies to support chronically absent youth.
Provide tutoring using a web-based reading intervention for struggling readers (Lighting Squad).
Lead parent attendance workshops monthly.
Lead weekly clubs for students who are chronically absent.
Meet with teachers and/or other school personnel to create a plan for mentees.
Provide classroom support to teachers.
Hold groups using the LIM (Leader in Me) curriculum.
Conduct SEL assessments with mentees.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Pursuing a bachelor’s or associate degree.
Experience working with student populations in grade K-8.

Key Competencies

A demonstrated ability to motivate, stimulate and challenge students to commit, participate, and remain engaged throughout program.
Organized with strong follow-up.
Use good judgment.
Good Listener.
Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills.
Excellent classroom management skills and proven ability to employ a variety of behavior management techniques to create a safe and fun learning environment.
An understanding of and sensitivity to the emotional, social and academic needs of students during different developmental stages.