Youth Support Specialist
Reports to: Housing Services Manager
Full-Time Position
Please send your resume to victoria.ferrara@fosterforward.net to apply.
The role of the Youth Support Specialist is to provide focused, individualized, youth-driven, strengths-based services and supports that help youth ages 18 to 26: locate safe and affordable housing; identify employment and/or enroll in an educational program; address healthcare needs, mental health and substance abuse issues; obtain identification; access childcare; manage interpersonal relationships; learn daily living skills; access community based supports and public benefits such as SNAP. The Youth Support Specialist will provide these supports in a developmentally appropriate way, helping youth to build protective and promotive factors, while simultaneously reducing risk factors. The Youth Support Specialist will help youth build on their own strengths, encourage youth to make informed decisions, and help them navigate various complex social systems. The Youth Support Specialist encourages engagement of youth, supports youth to accomplish their goals and gains a deep understanding of available local and regional resources to reduce and remove barriers to housing. The Youth Support Specialist will work within the Your Way Home and ASPIRE programs.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Work with youth ages 18–26 to develop and achieve transition goals that increase stability, permanency, and self-sufficiency.
Build authentic, caring, and affirming relationships with youth while providing individualized, trauma-informed case management that supports success across multiple life domains.
Maintain regular, flexible, and community-based contact with youth to support goal achievement. This includes being available on occasional nights/weekends/holidays offering services through a variety of engagement methods, such as in-person, text, phone, and social media.
Assist youth with finding safe, stable housing and providing supportive services to maintain housing.
Help youth identify, build, and re-engage supportive connections across family, school, neighborhood, and peer networks.
Build and maintain strong working relationships with landlords, key community partners and stakeholders.
Collaborate with clinicians, caregivers, families, DCYF YDS workers and community providers to coordinate support services and support youth in attainment of goals.
Produce written court reports and attend all court hearings.
Provide backup support for our Drop-in Center for youth experiencing Homelessness. Complete Intakes and Coordinated Entry assessments as needed and assist with providing services as needed.
Recognize that financial wellness is essential to building stability and self-sufficiency, supporting success across multiple life domains.
Recruit and engage youth in financial education programs using the “Keys to Your Financial Future” curriculum. Prepare and deliver financial education classes, including scheduling, securing materials, and tracking participation.
Receive financial coaching training and then provide one-on-one financial coaching to assist youth with budgeting, savings, and asset-building goals.
Assist youth in opening savings accounts, setting goals, and overcoming barriers to financial stability.
Maintain accurate, timely case documentation in both electronic and paper systems, including Foster Forward, the CoC and Jim Casey’s data systems (OPDS and OPPS).
Collect baseline and follow up survey data for all participants enrolled in financial wellness. Achieve at least an 80% participant response rate during survey months.
Seek out and participate in trainings and events that enhance skills and professional knowledge.
Participate in agency meetings, staff trainings, and promotional opportunities as required.
Provide a trauma-informed approach to all work that reflects the values and mission of Foster Forward.
Perform other duties as required to support the overall success of the program.
Required:
Regular access to a car for community-based case management services (i.e. home visits).
A bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
At least two years of case management (or equivalent) experience.
Proven experience relating to adolescents and adults from a variety of backgrounds
Lived experience in foster care or with homelessness and/or experience working with youth/people experiencing homelessness.
Welcoming demeanor and strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to set and maintain boundaries.
Attention to detail; organized and able to accurately plan work and tasks; adaptable
Familiarity with the housing market and related resources.
Must be a self-initiator and be able to problem solve various life issues.
Must be able to pass a background check.