Youth Advocate

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Youth Advocate is responsible for case management, psycho-social assessment, development and implementation of intervention strategies. The Youth Advocate provides clinical leadership to a multi-disciplinary team and provide coaching to support each youth to achieve goals of housing stability, sustainable and sustaining employment, and educational achievement. The Youth Advocate 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 and community-based work Monday through Friday.

DUTIES + RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide youth with individual counseling, crisis intervention, referrals, advocacy and life skills training. (70%)

Direct Care and Interventions:

In-residence visits are mandatory as outlined in the program guidelines.
Develops partnership strategy with each youth
Gathers and analyzes on-going information to ensure youth safety, well-being and progress
Provides clinical leadership to multi-disciplinary teams consisting of youth, family and other natural supporters, county case managers, Employment and Education Specialists, Housing Specialists, and Intake Specialists to ensure seamless and effective service delivery
Organizes, schedules, and facilitates youth and team meetings
Provides on-going assessment of youth well-being and develops plans to ensure safety and Deescalate crisis as needed
Provides direct support, coaching, mentoring and intervention to increase youth self-sufficiency and goal attainment.
Participates on a rotating basis to provide on-call coverage
Provides crisis counseling as needed. Case Management/Coordination:
Collaborates with community providers including county workers, courts, professionals, vocational and independent living skills programs, schools, family members and significant others
Keeps key team members informed and Works with team members to identify and engage appropriate natural supporters. Documentation/Administrative Duties (30%)
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.
Participates in agency committee as assigned.
Provides on-going orientation and training to staff as assigned.
Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum 1-2 years of experience working in a child welfare social service setting or with transition age youth with complex presentations including chronic trauma.
Master's degree in social Welfare, Psychology, or equivalent required.
A strong dedication to cultural competency that creates conditions that remove barriers and increase a sense of belonging.
Must be eligible to register with BBS as an ASW, MFTi, or LPCi and working toward professional licensure.
License preferred.
Experience working with transition age youth with complex presentations including chronic trauma preferred. Experience does not substitute for professional degree and certification.
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