Children & Youth Specialist - Temporary 2025111

World Relief • Carol Stream, IL

251d • $21 - $23

About The Position

The goal of the Children & Youth Specialist is to help immigrant children, and their families successfully adjust to the American school system and to access community services with an emphasis in Ukrainian families. This position provides case management for children birth through high school, assisting with WIC enrollment, providing community referrals, assisting with preschool and K-12 school enrollment, facilitating parent engagement and education, serving as a liaison between refugee and immigrant families and local elementary, middle, and high schools. They will also participate in providing afterschool club services to the refugee and immigrant community.

Requirements

• Committed to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief
• Direct-service experience with children and/or youth required
• Valid driver's license, regular access to vehicle, and ability/willingness to drive 15-passenger van required
• Fluency in Ukrainian

Nice To Haves

• Experience using MS Office Word and Excel preferred
• Highly self-motivated with strong follow-through and problem-solving skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Communication Skills (oral and written)
• Teamwork
• Confidentiality and Professionalism
• BA/BS and background in education or social service field
• Knowledge of World Relief
• Cross-cultural experience desired
• Previous volunteer supervision preferred

Responsibilities

• Meet with families who have 0-5 year old children to determine areas of assistance needed
• Assist with initial WIC enrollment and provide ongoing WIC education
• Provide car seats and parent education on car seat safety laws and car seat installation
• Educate parents on developmental milestones and work towards achieving them
• Provide parents with an early childhood orientation and additional parent education
• Refer parents to community resources for their child's needs including Early Intervention and Counseling Services as applicable
• Assist and/or provide information regarding preschool, birth-3 enrollments
• Collaborate with community partners and schools to build meaningful relationships
• Collaborate and communicate with Immigrant Family Services and other WRC staff
• Advocate for families
• Ensure enrollment in elementary, middle, and high school for refugee and other immigrant youth within 30 days of their arrival in the United States, or to the state of Illinois
• Serve as a liaison between families and school staff to assist in problem solving, arrange parent meetings, and facilitate ongoing communication
• Provide initial and ongoing orientation regarding education systems, procedures, and expectations to the families World Relief serves
• Mediate and advocate for school-aged students within school settings
• Conduct periodic information sessions for families addressing a broad range of educational topics
• Refer families to services that will enhance their child's education and success, such as other after school programs, social services, or medical referrals
• Ongoing participation with at least one after school youth club, with the Youth Clubs Specialist
• Assistance with planning and implementing summer youth clubs with the Youth Clubs Specialist
• Manage volunteers, interns, and/or work-study students in the context of club
• Administer and record data for Social Emotional Assessments
• Maintain data of client and volunteer records using databases; ensure that student attendance is taken each week and reported accurately
• Assist to identify newly arrived students and facilitate their club enrollment and participation
• Maintain accurate reporting records, case-notes, and student files
• Actively participate in department meetings, staff development opportunities, program trainings, community activities, and organizational events

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package
• Employee discount program for full-time and part-time employees
• Recognition with the Gold-level Cigna Healthy Workforce Designation

What This Job Offers

• Industry: Social Assistance
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree