Fair Futures Coach

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York•New York, NY

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York is a nonprofit organization that has worked to improve the well-being of children, youth, families, and people with developmental disabilities across New York City and Long Island since 1929. Our staff of more than 500 provides prevention services, foster care, residential treatment care, adoption services, medical and mental health services, and programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities. A career with Little Flower can be rewarding in so many ways. We are looking for conscientious and caring people who are ready to commit to the work of strengthening families and supporting the well-being of children and adults with developmental disabilities. If you’re looking for a career where you can truly make a difference, we hope you will consider joining our team. Coaches are paired with up to 15 young people and work with each of them from 9th grade (or age 14, if they are disconnected from school) to age 21, regardless of their academic status. Through the course of their work with assigned youth, coaches’ general functions include building relationships, providing ongoing social/emotional support, working 1:1 to develop individualized academic and career development goals, connecting young people to quality schools, programs, resources, and opportunities, helping young people persist in these settings, navigate challenges, celebrate successes, and plan for the next step. Coaches also help young people reflect on experiences and set new goals if they are not successful in a setting, collaborate with Case Planners, Tutors, Specialists, and foster/birth parents, connect young people to peer group supports, and ensure young people who are aging out can access and maintain stable, affordable housing and build independent living skills.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least three years of experience working with at-risk or system-involved young people or an Associate degree and 5+ years of working with at-risk or system-involved young people
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
Experience working with vulnerable youth
Knowledgeable about youth resources and services
Ability to facilitate therapeutic peer groups
Competence in planning, organizing, scheduling, case documentation, and strong oral and written communication abilities
Some experience in public relations preferable
Must possess strong human relations skills to communicate and work effectively within a culturally diverse work environment and community
Valid NYS Driver’s License if using personal vehicle or agency vehicle to drive on agency business

Responsibilities

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
Visit the young person’s school/program and build relationships with school staff, review transcripts and academic data, provide educational advocacy, and discuss progress towards graduation/HSE obtainment
Ensure young people are attending school and have the supports and resources they need to be successful, such as tutoring, individualized educational plans (IEPs), 504 Plans, or other special accommodations
Expose students to post-secondary pathways, such college and/or accredited vocational programs, starting in the 9th grade (or as early as possible)
Assist students with post-secondary planning, along with the guidance counselors and/or College Specialists and Career Development Specialists
Connect the student to the College Specialist to apply to colleges, opportunity programs, and all forms of financial aid, funding, and scholarships
Provide college persistence coaching, including ensuring students are receiving all of the financial and academic supports they need to succeed each semester
Assist students with planning for apprenticeship and vocational education paths, as appropriate
Collaborate with Case Planners, guidance counselors, Specialists, Tutors, teachers, family members, and caregivers
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
Work with the young person and Career Development Specialist to identify potential longer-term career pathways based on the young person’s interests, strengths, and academic/vocational plans
Connect the young person to the Career Development Specialist, if needed, to explore workforce development programs, vocational programs, and for assistance with job applications
Connect young people, as needed, to agency-based job readiness and/or internship programs (e.g., YA WORC or the Mentored Internship Program)
Provide persistence coaching to young people enrolled in any external program by checking in with them regularly
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 people’s 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 move in and obtain furniture
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