Youth Advocate

RIVER OAK CENTER FOR CHILDREN INC•Elk Grove, CA

3d•$27 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

This position is for a Youth Advocate at River Oak, focusing on supporting youth involved in the Juvenile Justice system. The role is part of the Juvenile Justice Demonstration and Technical Assistance Program (JJDTP), a Full Service Partnership designed to help youth with Serious Emotional Disturbances and current involvement in the juvenile justice system remain in their homes, schools, and communities. The program provides a comprehensive array of mental health services and supports. Youth referred are between the ages of 13 and 17 and can participate up to age 26. The program aims to stabilize placements, reduce homelessness, support academic participation, increase vocational or employment opportunities, and reduce psychiatric hospitalizations and detention or incarceration. River Oak emphasizes equity, diversity, and inclusion in its people strategy, aiming to build an organization that attracts and leverages diversity and fosters respect and inclusion.

Requirements

Must be 21-35 years of age
Must have successfully completed twelfth grade (or the equivalent of completing twelfth grade) PLUS at least one (1) year of responsible work experience
Must have lived experience or received services from the juvenile justice system, probation systems, or foster care system. (Work, professional, or volunteer experience does not qualify as personal, lived experience)
Must have strong communication, networking, and organizational skills
Proficient with Outlook, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Maintain a variety of online recordkeeping and documentation processes and systems, ensuring all relevant confidentiality and privacy requirements are met

Nice To Haves

Culturally diverse and/or bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply

Responsibilities

Advocate for clients, parents, and family; attend meetings both within and outside the Agency with youth to provide support and inform the youth of their rights and options; explain the applicable systems obligations and empower youth to present their desires and needs in treatment
Perform home and school visits to build relationships and trust with the youth, empower the youth and family to meet goals and objectives, explain assigned program activities, and review current outcomes and efforts; identify the strengths of the youth and support the youth in identifying focus areas
Assist in the identification of clients and families natural resources, strengths, and needs; assist youth and team in locating and utilizing community, Agency, and other resources; make phone calls, network and research, assist families in determining logistics, scheduling appointments, arranging transportation, and providing other necessary support
Meet established client service accountability goals; track productivity levels on a consistent basis; self manage to achieve established client service accountability goals and modify behaviors accordingly
Attend a variety of meetings, trainings, and seminars, which may include staff and departmental meetings, clinical case meetings, county training sessions and Agency training programs; network with other service providers
Work effectively and positively in a team environment; establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties
Knowledge of pertinent laws, codes, regulations, and guidelines related to the operation and delivery of a variety of client services to individuals and families with particular emphasis on child welfare system, juvenile justice system, IDEA, special education, and child protection services applicable reporting laws and protocols
Learn and understand Agency's organization, policies, operations and program services
Learn and apply the terminology, billing system, philosophy and documentation requirements of the Agency and of referring sources.