Missing & Anti-Trafficking Youth Specialist

Project Harmony • Omaha, NE

369d

About The Position

If you are looking for a place where you can make a difference in the life of a child, Project Harmony is looking for you. We are seeking an experienced and committed MATYS Specialist to join our dynamic and innovative organization. This position focuses primarily on working with youth and young adults (up to 24 yrs.) who are at high risk of sexual exploitation/trafficking and their caregivers. It requires a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach that includes meeting clients in their home and/or other community locations. It is a unique position, requiring close collaboration with local, state and federal law enforcement and prosecutors, child protection, juvenile justice, mental health providers and other community organizations. This position will provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and other support services to this population of youth, young adults, and their families. It requires extensive engagement with client to build a solid, trusting relationship that can be maintained over a longer period of time due to complexity of trafficking and lengthy investigations and prosecution.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required in Social Work, Counseling, Criminal Justice or related field.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Training in working with children and families impacted by child abuse/neglect.
• Training in crisis intervention, case management (both in-home and community-based) and trauma informed care.
• Experience working with high-risk youth/young adults and/or youth/young adult survivors of labor and sex exploitation and/or trafficking preferred.
• Experience working with the criminal justice and child welfare systems is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in reviewing all police reports from Omaha Police Department involving missing juveniles to determine program eligibility and acceptance.
• Collect information on missing/trafficked youth from child welfare, criminal justice and Project Harmony sites in an effort to coordinate care with child protection, juvenile justice, law enforcement and other community providers serving this population.
• Conduct comprehensive client assessments affecting these individuals and family functioning.
• Provide comprehensive case management services to high-risk youth and/or youth survivors of human trafficking within their homes and other locations in community.
• Provide education and advocacy to reduce barriers or challenges within employment, housing, mental health, physical health and other social service systems.
• Collaborate with client to create safety plans, community reintegration plans, and reconnection to family or informal support plans.
• Work closely with local, state and/or federal law enforcement agencies throughout trafficking investigation.
• Assist clients with victim impact statements, protection orders, and other related legal matters.
• Prepare youth to testify and attend court hearings to support them through criminal prosecution of their trafficker.
• Complete all required documentation and follow-up in a timely manner to ensure an effective and coordinated service delivery response.
• Collect statistics and implement quality improvement procedures aligned to best practices.
• Maintain a comprehensive list of community treatment providers and resources for families.
• Actively participate in consultation, supervision, team meetings and collaboration with other agencies and service providers on behalf of clients.
• Co-facilitate psychoeducational groups for high-risk youth and their caregiver.
• Ensure culturally competent services are provided to all families we serve without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, gender or sexual orientation.
• Participate in community engagement and training opportunities in order to educate the community about the Missing and Trafficked Youth Program, dynamics and trends.

Benefits

• Flexible hours and on-call coverage nights and weekends on a rotating basis.
• Access to a vehicle, valid driver's license and proof of insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Industry: Social Assistance
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees