Fair Future Coach - Foster Care

Lutheran Social Services of New York•New York, NY

20h•$50,000 - $51,000

About The Position

Coaches build trusting, long-term relationships with young people in and beyond foster care (ages 14 26). The overall goal of this relationship is to support the young person to graduate high school; persist in a post-secondary setting; build progressive career development experiences in line with the youths interests, strengths, and academic/vocational plans that will help them navigate onto a living wage career pathway; and successfully navigate the transition into adulthood (and into independent living, for those young people who are aging out).

Requirements

The Coach role is not an entry-level role. Coaches need to have both emotional maturity and professional skills.
As helping young people enroll and persist in post-secondary settings is one of the goals of the Fair Futures model, it is important for Coaches to have a post-secondary credential.
A Bachelors degree and at least two years of experience working with at-risk or system-involved young people, or An Associate or accredited vocational degree, and 3+ years of working with at-risk or system-involved young people
Minimum of two years experience in foster care or related field
Knowledgeable about working with foster care youth and children and families at-risk
Ability to work independently
Ability to work collaboratively with consumers and co-workers
Experience and facility with Microsoft Office Applications
Ability to navigate throughout New York City using public transportation and/or have a valid New York State driver license and access to a motor vehicle
Ability to work flexible hours as needed (beyond traditional 9 5 hours)
Ability to work from a strength-based, trauma-informed, youth development lens
Compassionate, warm, empathetic, consistent and reliable
A love for working with young people
Strong ability to relate to young people, engage them in conversation, and provide support and encouragement
Values and promotes diversity
A belief that change is possible
Able to maintain healthy boundaries
Able to remain calm during moments of tension and stress.
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Strong time-management, organizational skills, and attention to detail
Ability to troubleshoot, advocate, and navigate obstacles where there is not always a clear-cut pathway
Open to learning how to use and interpret data to inform decision-making
Ability to effectively collaborate in team settings and build relationships with external partners
Ability to use Motivational Interviewing techniques
Ability to use trauma-informed techniques
Knowledgeable about youth resources and services
Ability to facilitate therapeutic peer groups.

Responsibilities

Build relationships with up to 15 young people.
Provide ongoing social/emotional support no matter what including if they leave foster care and achieve permanency.
Work 1:1 with young people to develop individualized academic and career development goals based on their interests and strengths and take measurable steps towards their goals.
Connect young people to quality schools, programs, resources, and opportunities in line with their goals.
Help young people persist in these settings, navigate any challenges that arise, celebrate successes, and plan/prepare for the next step on their journey.
Should a youth not be successful in any school/program setting, Coaches help young people reflect on the experience and work with them to set new goals and transition to the next opportunity.
Collaborate with Case Planners, Tutors, Specialists, and foster/birth parents, as needed, to help youth achieve their goals and ensure their overall well-being.
Connect young people to peer group supports and build positive relationships.
Ensure young people who are aging out can access and maintain stable, affordable housing and build independent living skills.
Re-engage disconnected youth and help them re-enroll in an academic setting.
Assess the fit between the young person and their current academic setting and help them transfer into a better-fit high school or high school equivalency (HSE) program, if needed.
Assist students with planning for apprenticeship and vocational education paths, as appropriate.
Assist young people in obtaining working papers, if needed.
Conduct career exploration activities with young people.
Assist ALL young people in selecting at least one career development experience each year that is in line with their interests and academic situation/background.
Ensure that the young person coordinates with a Housing Specialist (and/or Case Planner, if the agency does not have a Housing Specialist) to ensure that all young peoples housing applications are submitted as early as possible (by age 19 if their goals is to age out).
Accompany the young person to visit supportive housing residences, when needed.
Help young people maintain their housing by providing independent living and life skills supports such as budgeting, obtaining a bank account, and advocating with landlords, if needed.
Other duties as required by direct supervisor or needs of the program/agency.