Youth Advocate - #260890

Wage band range $18.00 - $25.00; however, starting pay is ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity. Bilingual in Spanish, preferred and position is eligible to test for a bilingual pay incentive.

Under the direction of the UPLIFT TAY Program Supervisor, the youth advocate is responsible for supporting Casa Pacifica youth and alumni with their transition and eventual exit from the foster care system. This includes participating in on-campus activities, such as child-family team meetings, and maintaining relationships with community supporters and organizations. The Youth Advocate will also support youth/young adults with duties outlined within the TYS program.

We are a diverse and inclusive team providing excellent services to all our surrounding communities. Our team members are empowered to share their identities, ideas, and perspectives. A culture built on diversity, equity and inclusivity is essential to creating a safe and healing environment at Casa Pacifica.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (illustrated By Typical Activities)

• Supervises, protects, and cares for the youth individually and in groups.
• Provides assistance to each youth working within a group and handling individual problems.
• Administers discipline and sets limits for behavior.
• Notates the youth's progress (through strength-based approaches); identifies the possible need for professional services and communicates such findings to professional staff.
• Develops and maintains relationships with transitional-age youth on campus and mentors and guides their transition to extended foster care or back into the community. Participates in child family team meetings, encourages 15½, 16, and 17-year-olds to enroll in Independent Living Program, assists youth 16-18 with job preparation (transporting to interviews, filling out job applications, assisting with resume writing, and helping them acquire proper documentation).
• Informs youth on campus about the independent life skills classes (ILS) and encourages participation.
• Maintains relationships with transitional-age youth on campus by taking them out on outings.
• Attends and coaches youth on participating in the child family team meetings for those 16-18 years. Understand this meeting should be driven primarily by the youth; these meetings identify a team of people who will be supportive of the youth once the transition has occurred. Youth Advocate participates in the meeting helping to identify goals, needs, and concerns of the youth then helps to formulate an action plan. The youth Advocate follows up before the youth’s 18th birthday or transition occurs.
• Oversees/facilitates campus Participant Advisory Council—facilitates youth leadership through their participation in Participant Advisory Council. Helps Participant Advisory Council members plan on-campus events, such as dances and volunteer opportunities, and oversees Participant Advisory Council involvement when partnering with the Angels and Amigos Auxiliary Boards for special campus activities.
• Facilitates, co-facilitates, and supports groups for youth, including, but not limited to, Planned Parenthood classes and Commercially Sex Education Curriculum (CSEC). They will help coordinate meetings, set up and clean up rooms, and huddle the youth to attend.
• Maintains relationships with Casa Pacifica alumni – both transitional and emancipated youth. This can include taking youth who have been moved to a new placement out on a day pass to maintain relationships. The Youth Advocate provides information to alumni in five major areas: housing, education, employment, transportation, and health. The goal is to help alumni become self-sufficient. Youth Advocates also support alumni – emotional and otherwise – when they experience difficult times.
• Participates in the TYS program by supporting youth/young adults with emotional support, providing information for community resources, and education surrounding Assembly Bill 12 Extended Foster Care (AB12). The Youth Advocate will specifically comply with mandates and objectives listed in the TAY contract and will gather, organize, record, and do outreach for youth/young adults in need of information regarding AB12.
• Provide support for the TYS Drop-in Center and attend scheduled hours to help maintain and monitor the facility. Assists Drop-in Center participants with accessing resources, troubleshooting technical issues, learning how to operate equipment properly, and providing an orientation to Center operation and expectations.
• Maintains leadership position with the Ventura Chapter of California Youth Connection (CYC) –Youth Advocate encourages Casa Pacifica’s youth and alumni to get involved with CYC. This organization encourages its members (current and former foster youth) to become self-advocates, fostering youth empowerment to effect positive change in the foster care system.
• The Youth Advocate maintains consistent partnerships with community resources and agencies such as the Human Services Agency, Independent Living Program, Transitional Housing Program-Plus, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Kiwanis, Community Colleges, Casa Pacifica Amigos Auxiliary, Casa Pacifica Angels Auxiliary, and the Office of Education-Foster Youth Service.
• Acts as Public Speaker – this includes, when asked, speaking at conferences such as the Education Summit, Association of Residential Centers (ACRC), California Mental Health Advocates for Children and Youth, the CMHACY Conference, or at Casa Pacifica fundraising events.
• May serve on other statewide initiatives such as Building Bridges, Association of Residential Centers (ACRC), and others representing youth voice and advocating for “family driven youth guided care”.
• Assists other Development staff as needed, including assistance with projects, meetings, events, etc.
• Practices cost-effective measures as they pertain to administration.
• Youth Advocate maintains confidentiality with respect to personnel, operations, and clients.
• May perform other duties and projects from time to time.
• Needs to be organized and able to function well in a busy environment where many things are happening at once.
• Must be able to switch gears quickly.
• Needs to think ahead and address issues before they arise – problem-solve.
• Needs to have a professional and diplomatic demeanor with people.
• Must be a former foster youth.
  
  

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Associate degree (AA) or equivalent from a two-year college or equivalent combination of education and experience, preferred. Must be a former foster youth.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Ability to type 35-40 wpm and use various computer software and computer hardware including word processing and spreadsheets. Strong organizational and administrative/clerical skills are essential. Ability to manage several projects at one time.

Language Skills: Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish). Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and Maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, percentages, and ratios.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to utilize rational decision making that is based on the best interest of transitional-age youth and the population we serve.

What We Offer

Casa Pacifica strongly believes in providing our employees with a comprehensive and competitive total benefits package that will support them across the many needs that arise in life. In addition to the salary information listed above, employees within this position will also be eligible for the following:

• Comprehensive Benefits package,
• 401k auto enrollment at 3% with up to 5% fully vested employer matching contributions made after first year of service
• 9 paid holidays
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance options
• Flexible Spending and Dependent care programs
• Excellent Training opportunities – including opportunities for CEUs
• Education/Tuition Assistance programs
• Group Discount Pet Insurance
• Aflac Hospital, Critical Illness, Accidental & Dental supplemental plan options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Free Confidential Crisis Line 24/7, 365 days a year
• 4 face-to-face or telephonic sessions per issue, i.e.,
• Stress, Anxiety, Depression
• Life transitions
• Grief and Loss
• Divorce
• Conflict Resolution
• Substance Abuse
• Work-Life Counseling
• Free Legal and Financial Consultations
• Identity Theft Recovery Services
  

Casa Pacifica is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. All applicants will be given full consideration under state, local, and federal law.