Youth/Teen Mentor

SGA YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES NFP•Waukegan, IL

About The Position

The Youth/Teen Mentor supports and provides program leadership for youth ages 11–17 participating in Teen REACH services. The role helps implement Teen REACH programming and assists the Program Coordinator with individual needs assessments, goal setting, regular face-to-face and phone contact, family engagement, community-agency linkages, and follow-up services. The mentor helps youth identify factors that may put them at risk of engaging in or becoming victims of aggressive behavior, or experiencing other anxieties, and determine strategies to reduce those risks and reach their goals. The role also re-engages youth with inconsistent attendance, connects families with resources and programs, and supports data collection, reporting, and program quality improvement. The position uses the Illinois Department of Human Services’ eCornerstone data system to enter and export program information and supports related recordkeeping, data analysis, and reporting needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school in social work, psychology, public health, or a related field.
Two years of experience working with at-risk youth.
Sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences in the service population.
Computer literacy, including data entry and Microsoft packages.
Valid driver’s license and auto insurance; must be listed as a covered driver under the policy.

Responsibilities

Provide support and program leadership for youth ages 11–17 participating in Teen REACH services.
Support the overall performance and implementation of Teen REACH programming.
Assist the Teen REACH Program Coordinator with needs assessments, goal setting, weekly or biweekly youth contact, family engagement, community-agency linkages, and follow-up services.
Help youth identify risk factors related to aggressive behavior and other anxieties and determine methods to avoid risks and reach goals.
Re-engage youth with inconsistent attendance, work with families to bring resources into the home, and connect them with programs.
Collect data and coordinate reporting to funders, marketing staff, and other stakeholders.
Use the IDHS-required eCornerstone system to enter and export program data for program and administrative needs.
Implement other services requested by SGA or IDHS.
Enter case notes, assessments, and case plans in a timely manner; respond to email and provide other required information.
Assist with data entry, including transferring paper-based files to electronic databases.
Update and organize files as needed.
Assist with basic maintenance of the agency data system and demonstrate eCornerstone usage strategies when time allows.
Display sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences in the service population.
Review monthly data reports and assess appropriate benchmarks.
Research and recommend data visualization tools and solutions for program and administrative staff.
Coordinate data dialogues with program staff as part of quality improvement efforts.