VCN Youth Advocate

COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT•Los Angeles, CA

13d•$50,000 - $55,000•Onsite

About The Position

The VCN Youth Advocate will be part of an innovative team of service providers and educational experts that will work collectively to create/run an innovative program for young people in South Los Angeles that face the greatest barriers to finding employment. The VCN Youth Advocate will provide one-on-one supportive services to at-risk and transition-age youth in the VCN YouthSource Center who are preparing to join the workforce. The VCN Youth Advocate will assess basic needs, identify barriers employment and and education, develop an Individual Plan to address those barriers, and coordinate services to help youth prepare for and secure living wage jobs with a career path upon graduation of Workforce program. The VCN Youth Advocate should spend 50% of time providing individual and group case management. 30% of the advocate time will be spent on researching resources that eliminate barriers to employment and education and solidifying relations with other services. The % of advocate time will used for soft skills building, file quality assurance, and office case management documentation.

Requirements

Associates degree in Human Services preferred and three to four years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
Current California driver license with a clean driving record
Experience verifying WIOA eligibility and delivering WIOA services
Understanding and experience of implementing the 14 WIOA program elements
Experience entering data into the JobsLA system
Experience in registering or enrolling youth into community college
Fluent in case management facilitation
Experience in facilitating group workshops
Understanding and knowledge of education disparities in the Vernon-Central community
Proficient in reading and writing

Nice To Haves

Previous experience working with foster youth
Experience working with the African American and Latino community
Knowledge of Los Angeles community resources and social service providers
Knowledge and understanding of community development and non-profit sector
Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc)
Trained in delivering case management services (Training certificate is a plus)

Responsibilities

Contact, receive and review referrals to the VCN YouthSource Center from local schools, community-based organizations, and government agencies, including walk-ins.
Work 1-2 Saturdays per month as needed.
Participate and coordinate outreach activities that include making presentations to non-profit organizations, government agencies, probation/parole staff and agencies, schools, and conduct door to door outreach in targeted neighborhood of South Los Angeles.
Conduct program orientation and intake assessments for incoming youth that will be on the Youth Advocate caseload.
Recruit and enroll 60 youth for youth caseload annually (July 1 – June 30)
Facilitate weekly and monthly readiness assessments for youth interested in receiving WIOA services.
Conduct individual needs assessments that captures barriers to basic needs such as housing and food; education level and school enrollment; current income, employment, and past work experience; eligibility for Independent Living Program services through the foster care system; gang affiliation; and involvement with the justice system
Develop an Individual Service Plan, that identifies barriers to employment and action steps and creating goals to become self-sufficient to address those barriers.
Place youth in part-time entry-level work with on-the-job training as part of CRCD’s training component. Ensure all youth complete 120 hours of work experience through Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
Identify and secure 2-4 worksite partnerships for youth entering the Youth Advocate caseload.
Accurately enter participant data into the JobsLA system and the Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) system
Assist youth with enrollment in Los Angeles Trade Technical College
Support youth in attaining a high school diploma or general equivalency degree.
Observe youth in classroom setting and provide resolutions to classroom disruptions.
Participate in quarterly and annual professional development.
Assist youth with placement into jobs or internships that are allowed with their personal and professional goals.
Oversee and coach interns, and other staff responsible for providing direct support to youth in the program.
Facilitate and coordinate life skills workshops and educational activities for youth on your caseload.
Enter case notes, performance completion, and case management interventions in the participant case file and JobsLA.
Coordinate service learning and civic engagement events for participants on your caseload.
Conduct weekly individual and group case management sessions.
Must have a great personality and willingness to work with youth that display challenges of working with authority.