Youth Connections Advocate - Reno, NV
About The Position
The Youth Connections Advocate focuses on finding permanent homes for youth in the foster care system, especially youth who are hardest to place. The advocate learns about each youth by reviewing their history and listening to their needs, then uses problem solving and advocacy to identify past and current connections that can help the youth achieve stability and permanency. The role involves building a network of supportive connections in the lives of children and youth, with the ultimate goal of legal permanency. The advocate learns and implements the Dave Thomas Foundation’s Wendy’s Wonderful Kids child-focused recruitment model, an evidence-based approach to helping youth achieve permanency. The position works closely with community leaders, CASA employees, case workers, attorneys, therapists, youth, judges, and other stakeholders. The position is based in Reno, Nevada, and applicants must reside in Nevada at the time of employment. Up to 50% travel is required, primarily within Nevada and occasionally out of state; most travel involves driving.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in social work or a related field.
- At least one year of experience working with older youth; the qualifications section specifies 1–3 years of experience working within child welfare, including areas such as CASA, courts, probation, human services, foster care, group homes, day treatment, or mental health.
- General computer literacy.
- Reliable transportation and eligibility for driver insurance.
- Ability and willingness to travel, with flexibility to work evenings and occasional weekends.
- Ability to organize and manage multiple projects.
- Ability to cultivate strong working relationships with diverse populations, including public agency staff.
- Willingness to engage in cold calling.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Applicants must reside in Nevada at the time of employment.
- A bachelor's degree in social work or a related human service field and a minimum of two years' adoption experience may substitute for a master's degree.
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree in social work or a related field; preference is given for experience in child welfare or foster care adoption.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish.
- Previous experience with adoption or child welfare.
- Expertise in providing family support services.
- Knowledge of the impact of trauma and trauma-informed practices.
- Microsoft Office Suite experience and experience working with databases (data mining).
Responsibilities
- Review the history of youth on the caseload and listen to their needs.
- Use problem solving and advocacy to identify past and current connections for youth.
- Build a network of supportive connections to help children and youth achieve legal permanency.
- Learn and implement the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids child-focused recruitment model.
- Work with community leaders, CASA employees, case workers, attorneys, therapists, youth, judges, and other stakeholders.
- Organize and manage multiple projects.
- Cultivate working relationships with diverse populations, including public agency staff.
- Engage in cold calling.
- Travel, primarily within the state and occasionally out of state, to support the work.
Benefits
- Four weeks of PTO and 10 or more paid holidays per year (30 paid days off per year, as stated in the posting).
- Health insurance.
- Dental and vision insurance.
- 100% paid life, long-term disability, and short-term disability insurance.
- Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and childcare.
- Health Savings Accounts.
- 401(k) with matching contributions and immediate vesting.
- Flexible work arrangements available on a case-by-case basis.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Discount programs.
- Paid parental leave.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
