Education and Enrichment Liaison

Community Family Advocates•Pittsburgh, PA

16d

About The Position

The Education and Enrichment Liaison will work with a population of youth, aged 14-24, who are or have been placed in foster care, residential or group home placements through the Child Welfare System. The Education and Enrichment Liaison will work with youth to develop individualized plans to improve their academic achievement, attendance and post-secondary opportunities and success. This Liaison should be enthusiastic about the learning process and committed to working with diverse populations. Local travel, plus the willingness and ability to work some evenings, as assigned by the supervisor, is required.

Requirements

Excellent organizational skills.
Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision.
Knowledge of educational law.
Strong interpersonal skills, especially regarding the ability to engage youth in programming and services offered by DHS.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with students and professional colleagues.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, dependent upon the needs of the youth and as assigned by the supervisor.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, consistent with applicable law.
Bachelor’s degree in education or school counseling, plus 1-2 years’ experience working with youth in an academic setting or a youth serving program.
Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Act 33, 34 and FBI clearances.
Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle

Responsibilities

Identifies resources that support current and former foster youth as they work towards achieving self-sufficiency goals.
Facilitates transition plan process.
Ensures youth has a complete educational portfolio that is documented and regularly updated in Synergy.
Evaluates youth’s abilities, interests, and talents to develop academic and career goals.
Advises youth on college majors, admission requirements, financial aid and technical school options.
Assists youth with completion of all requisite forms, i.e., financial aid forms, college and scholarship applications and securing of other necessary documentation (dependency verifications, immunization records, etc.)
Maintains ongoing contact with youth.
Collaborates with Children, Youth and Families caseworkers, foster parents, residential staff and school personnel to gather information.
Actively encourages youth participation in DHS programs.
Attendance at DHS evening functions, as assigned by the supervisor.
Helps youth understand and deal with social, behavioral, and personal problems.
Manages caseloads and closes out cases, as appropriate.
Facilitates completion of the National Youth in Transition (NYTD) survey by eligible youth.
Meets the mandatory minimum requirement of 10-15 face to face youth contacts per week.
Attends court hearings and other planning meetings, as appropriate.
Participates in conciliation meetings.