Youth Care Specialist II

Los Angeles Lgbt Center•Los Angeles, CA

15d•$24 - $32

About The Position

The Youth Care Specialist II (YCS) provides direct services to LGBTQ+ youth and caregivers involved in the child welfare and juvenile probation systems utilizing approaches that validate and affirm LGBTQ+ identities. The YCS assists the child/youth and family/caregiver in the home, school, and community by providing a variety of supportive and case management services, some of which may include behavioral support, crisis intervention, mentoring, coaching, education, transportation, and other services that address overall needs. This position works with a population that is currently involved in the child welfare and/or juvenile probation system and has high rates of mental health, health, and substance-related issues. The ideal candidate must be familiar with and have experience with this population.

Requirements

Knowledge of or experience working with the LGBTQ community and familiarity with issues of particular relevance to LGBTQ people
A passion for the Center’s work and its mission to make the world a better place for LGBTQ people
Ability to develop and coordinate a comprehensive, wraparound plan of care to assess and address the complex needs of youth; document, track and evaluate outcomes
Knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting LGBTQ youth, including experience working with high risk youth (specific work with gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and/or runaway youth a plus)
Minimum 6 years of experience in related field, specifically working with youth experiencing homelessness/housing instability, foster youth, and/or mental illness, low-income, or individuals experiencing homelessness or Master’s Degree (Social Work, Social Services, Public Health or related field)
Minimum 5 years case management experience or similar job experience working with target population
Experience with substance abuse/mental health case management and crisis intervention
Child welfare and/or juvenile probation system experience
Ability to describe the philosophies, practices, policies and outcomes of the most generally accepted supported models of treatment for people experiencing homelessness
Knowledge of housing-first, harm-reduction, trauma-informed care principles
Demonstrated knowledge or experience with case management techniques, including critical time intervention, harm reduction strategies, crisis intervention techniques and motivational interviewing
Ability to work with a high acuity population and able to de-escalate threatening/volatile situations with clients
Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflict, including dealing with uncooperative clients
Ability to apply principles of professional boundaries and ethics to on the job situations
Ability to build rapport and trust with youth and demonstrate active (reflective listening)
Knowledgeable of the principles of Positive Youth Development; ability to engage youth and facilitate workshops
Be able and willing to work flexible hours which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Access to reliable transportation and the ability to be insured
Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expression, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, ages, English-speaking abilities, immigration status, and physical abilities in a multicultural environment

Nice To Haves

Bilingual skills, a plus (English/Spanish fluency preferred, American Sign Language fluency, a plus)

Responsibilities

Develop a comprehensive, wraparound plan of care to assess and address the complex needs of youth involved in the child welfare and juvenile probation systems; document, track and evaluate outcomes
Under the supervision of the Program Supervisor provide leadership and promote high-quality service delivery within the program
Assist Program Supervisor with the oversight, compliance and development of the program
Provide support for team members needing ad hoc case conferencing
Provide a welcoming presence onsite for participants by answering questions, providing information and facilitating engagement opportunities
Provide a comprehensive continuum of homelessness prevention services , including outreach, employment preparation and placement assistance, education, individualized case management, housing navigation, housing location and retention, and other supportive services
Follow a framework of care goals and department protocols to ensure participant safety, provide crisis intervention and de-escalation along a spectrum of intervention techniques
Provide direct assistance with basic needs (meals, clothing, hygiene) and day to day program operations
Conduct intake and individualized needs assessments and collaborate with youth to develop a services and housing stability plan that addresses barriers to obtaining services, housing and healthcare
As the primary Point of Contact work in collaboration with a team of service providers in an effort to obtain, stabilize and maintain housing
Collaborate with other LA LGBT Center departments and outside organizations on youth events, resources and youth development opportunities
Plan and facilitate programming, events and activities utilizing a Positive Youth development framework that develops a sense of competence, usefulness, power and belonging among at-risk youth, youth experiencing homelessness, at-home/at-school youth and youth who see themselves as the leaders of the future
Conduct outreach and engagement
Complete general operational and administrative work such as compiling data, statistics, preparing reports, and drafting correspondence
Organize and maintain program files and materials through data entry and database maintenance
Assist with special projects as directed by management staff
Other duties as assigned