UP4Youth Program Specialist

About the role

The UP4Youth Program Specialist (Specialist) works in a collaborative, fast-paced environment under the supervision of the Director of Youth and Young Adult Services. This position plays a direct role in supporting and empowering youth aged 16 and above who are currently or have been in foster care as they transition into adulthood.

Responsibilities

• Enroll eligible youth into the program, completing/collecting intake paperwork and related documents upon enrollment.
• Provide orientations and conduct comprehensive assessments of each participant’s needs, strengths, and barriers to independence.
• Develop ISPs to address these needs.
• Provide ongoing case management.
• Manage ISPs and related documents, checking in regularly with participants (at least weekly) on their progress toward self-identified goals.
• Adjust ISPs as needed to ensure successful outcomes.
• Offer one-on-one coaching, mentorship, life skills workshops, and group support to help participants develop life skills (budgeting, time management, goal setting, etc.), self-esteem, and self-care plans.
• Help youth identify and access community resources and supportive services relevant to their specific needs, including housing, employment, public benefits, and mental health services, to maximize client self-sufficiency and overall well-being.
• Provide immediate support and intervention in crisis situations.
• Work with participants to develop employment readiness and workforce-related skills, define employment goals, and secure and maintain employment.
• Aid participants in securing and maintaining housing and connect them with emergency shelter options when needed.
• Serve as an advocate for participants in accessing housing, healthcare, education, employment, and other essential services, and advocate for youth within systems such as schools, the juvenile justice system, and foster care.
• Help them understand and navigate these complex systems to build self-confidence and develop self-advocacy skills, becoming more self-reliant.
• Support the management of the UP4Youth Internship Program.
• Recruit, train, and support internship worksites. Prepare and place youth in internships at worksites and oversee and support their progress throughout.
• Complete periodic internship and worksite assessments and surveys at determined intervals.
• Support the management of the UP4Youth Mentor Program.
• Recruit and train mentors and collect/maintain documentation of their qualifications and clearances. Match youth with mentors based on their unique experiences, employment, education, and life goals. Oversee mentoring relationships to ensure they receive appropriate time and support.
• Promote and manage youth and mentor support groups at determined intervals. Ensure the discussion topics support their unique, collective needs.
• Support the development and management of the UP4Youth Ambassador program.
• Recruit, train, and support ambassadors to serve as peer mentors, participate in UP4Youth/Allies and other community events, and help co-facilitate peer support groups.
• Plan, facilitate, and support UP4Youth workshops and events to ensure high turnout, active engagement, and beneficial outcomes.
• Support the maintenance of the UP4Youth social media account and other resource platforms for the UP4Youth.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Direct Services: Enroll eligible youth into the program, provide orientations, conduct comprehensive assessments, develop ISPs, provide ongoing case management, manage ISPs, adjust ISPs, offer one-on-one coaching, mentorship, life skills workshops, and group support, help youth identify and access community resources, provide immediate support and intervention in crisis situations, work with participants to develop employment readiness and workforce-related skills, aid participants in securing and maintaining housing, serve as an advocate for participants, help them understand and navigate complex systems, support the management of the UP4Youth Internship Program, recruit, train, and support internship worksites, complete periodic internship and worksite assessments and surveys, support the management of the UP4Youth Mentor Program, recruit and train mentors, match youth with mentors, oversee mentoring relationships, promote and manage youth and mentor support groups, support the development and management of the UP4Youth Ambassador program, recruit, train, and support ambassadors, plan, facilitate, and support UP4Youth workshops and events, support the maintenance of the UP4Youth social media account and other resource platforms.
• Interagency And Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Work in collaboration with the Development and Volunteer Coordinator to recruit a diverse pool of inclusive and affirming prospective UP4Youth mentors. Work in collaboration with the Development and Communications team to promote/communicate events and workshops to participants, mentors, and the community. Partner with the Director of Early Care and Education, the Mental Health Director, and the Healthy Families Allies Program Manager to coordinate services for pregnant or parenting TAY. Collaborate with the Early Education Administrative & Family Engagement Manager and the Development and Volunteer Coordinator to secure and distribute concrete resources (food, hygiene products, clothes, etc.) for participants. Collaborate with community-based organizations to support youth/TAY needs. Build partnerships with community-based organizations and groups to recruit inclusive, affirming mentors. Secure employment and internship opportunities for youth. Collaborate with community-based organizations and government entities to recruit eligible youth aged 16 and above to participate in the UP4Youth program. Network with community members, employment programs, and businesses to build employment and internship opportunities. Represent Allies in community stakeholder or partner meetings and forums as needed. Maintain effective relationships with public and private organizations, including county departments, advocacy groups, and community-based organizations.
• Quality And Performance Improvement: Manage, maintain, and update participant files, complete and update case records, and perform other administrative duties as required. Ensure timely, accurate completion of monthly, quarterly, and annual program activity reports, as well as other required documentation. Attend and participate in all mandated trainings, work groups, UP4Youth activities, focus groups, and staff development/training activities to enhance skills and develop professional knowledge. Support audits, reporting, and quality improvement efforts.
• Community And Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Juvenile Probation, Los Angeles County Office of Education, and community-based organizations to support youth/TAY needs. Build partnerships with community-based organizations and groups to recruit inclusive, affirming mentors. Strive to recruit mentors who come from similar backgrounds, culture, and/or experiences as UP4Youth participants. Develop partnerships with businesses/organizations to secure employment and internship opportunities for youth. Collaborate with community-based organizations and government entities to recruit eligible youth aged 16 and above to participate in the UP4Youth program. Network with community members, employment programs, and businesses to build employment and internship opportunities. Represent Allies in community stakeholder or partner meetings and forums as needed. Maintain effective relationships with public and private organizations, including county departments, advocacy groups, and community-based organizations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree coupled with 3 years of relevant experience.
• Fingerprint background clearance (DOJ, FBI & Child Abuse Clearance Index), or approved exemption.
• Successful completion of pre-employment physical, PPD risk assessment, proof of immunizations for pertussis (Tdap), measles (MMR), and influenza (can decline).
• Class “C” driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance, and access to reliable transportation.
• Alignment with Allies’ mission and philosophy.
• Excellent Knowledge of: Community resources and public/private services. Issues related to foster care, transition-age youth, and other high-risk populations (e.g., homeless, commercially sexually exploited children/youth, etc.). Understand the needs of the population served and the ethical guidelines for serving youth who are currently in or have been in foster care. Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) Experience.

Skills

• Experience with TAY, people experiencing homelessness, or co-occurring issues, and working with TAY and high-risk populations is required.
• Ability to develop relationships with community members and community-based organizations to reach shared goals and foster engagement.
• Knowledge of LGBTQ+ community and familiarity with issues of particular relevance to LGBTQ+.
• Ability to promote and safeguard the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ clients through actions such as education, advocacy, and community support.
• Experience providing field-based services.
• Ability to multitask the execution and oversight of simultaneous activities and events.
• Ability to provide individualized case management and work with at-risk youth.
• Ability to promote and safeguard the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ clients through actions such as education, advocacy, and community support.
• Ability to provide field-based services.
• Ability to multitask the execution and oversight of simultaneous activities and events.
• Ability to provide individualized case management and work with at-risk youth.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills required.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, and welcome opportunities to work across diverse cultures.
• Ability to handle and manage confidential information in compliance with HIPAA standards and agency policies.
• Ability to serve as a role model for children/youth, TAY, and families served by Allies.

Benefits

Full Benefits Package Offered, Including Competitive Pay
12 Holidays per calendar year
2 Personal Days – birthday and anniversary of employment
10 Vacation Days per year (increases with tenure)
10 Sick Leave Days per year
10 Jury Duty Days
100% Employer Contribution to: Health – Kaiser or Anthem, Dental, Vision
401k Retirement Plan with a 50% employer match for the first 4%
100% Employer-Paid Life and Accidental Insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – for team members and dependents
Discounts on movie tickets, amusement parks, travel, hotels, sporting events, shows, and more
Initial and ongoing training and professional development opportunities
Opportunities for growth and advancement
Employee referral incentive – $1,500
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Credit Union Membership