Community Engagement Specialist
About The Position
The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of children and families through child welfare and juvenile justice services and community supports. ACS manages community-based supports and foster care services, and provides subsidized child care vouchers. ACS child protection staff respond to allegations of child maltreatment. In juvenile justice, ACS oversees detention, placement and programs for youth in the community. The Division of Youth and Family Justice (DYFJ) provides a wide range of services and programs for youth at every stage of the juvenile justice process. Our goals are to (a) build stronger and safer communities and advance public safety by preventing juveniles from entering the New York City's juvenile justice system, (b) provide therapeutic treatment and services to youth in our custodial care, and (c) help juveniles access the tools they need to leave the justice system for good. We strive to help families and young people by providing supportive services that are responsive to the needs of individual youth and families. The Family Assessment Program (FAP) currently conducts screening and assessment of families requesting Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) related services in Family Court. The overarching goal of this intervention is to engage families in appropriate services to preserve the family unit and divert them from Family Court and prevent foster care placements. The Juvenile Justice Initiative (JJI) is an alternative to placement program that diverts youth who have been adjudicated as Juvenile Delinquents so they can remain at home. FAP and JJI both fall under DYFJ’s Community Based Alternatives (CBA) program. CBA’s goal is to connect families and youth in the community to services and programs that support their well-being and avoid engagement with the justice system. Under general supervision, the Community Engagement and Outreach Specialist will provide community outreach support to ACS and CBA.
Requirements
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
- High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
- Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above.
Responsibilities
- Attend, participate, and facilitate community outreach events citywide in order to promote the work of ACS and CBA.
- Engage stakeholders and increase awareness of CBA services and supports.
- Assist the Director of Community Engagement and Outreach and the CBA Borough Directors with community outreach projects.
- Assist community members, stakeholders and families in developing realistic expectations of the PINS diversion process by offering in-depth information regarding the continuum of service interventions, Family Court, and placement.
- Manage an outreach calendar of events, identifying opportunities to represent CBA to various populations and potential referral sources.
- Meet with the Director of Community Engagement and Outreach and CBA Borough Directors continually to develop outreach strategies by identifying trends and areas of need.
- Utilize trend data and other information to identify and cultivate community partnerships.
- Represent CBA and present to stakeholders via various workgroups, workshops, and meetings.
- Assist with increasing the number of families engaged by CBA programs.
- Develop and report on outreach data to CBA leadership.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
