GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Coaches build trusting, long-term relationships with young people in and beyond foster care (ages 14 – 26). The overall goal of this relationship is to support the young person to graduate high school; persist in a post-secondary setting; build progressive career development experiences in line with the youth’s interests, strengths, and academic/vocational plans that will help them navigate onto a living wage career pathway; and successfully navigate the transition into adulthood (and into independent living, for those young people who are aging out).
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Approach work with a positive attitude, with an ethic of service and integrity rooted in the values, mission, vision, and philosophy of Lutheran Social Services of NY (LSSNY).
- Understand that the focus of all LSSNY’s work is for the betterment of those LSSNY serves.
- Comply willingly with all organizational policies and procedures and supports all functions that attain and maintain accreditation and compliance with regulatory agencies.
- Contribute to organizational excellence at the individual, team, department, divisional, and agency wide levels.
- Exhibit integrity, professionalism, and respect both in the workplace and in the communities we serve.
- Build positive and productive relationships with young people up to 18.
- Provide ongoing social/emotional support – including if they leave foster care and achieve permanency.
- Work 1:1 with young people to develop individualized academic and career development goals based on their interests and strengths and take measurable steps towards their goals.
- Connect young people to quality schools, programs, resources, and opportunities in line with their goals.
- Help young people persist in these settings, navigate any challenges that arise, celebrate successes, and plan/prepare for the next step on their journey.
- Should a youth not be successful in any school/program setting, Coaches help young people reflect on the experience and work with them to set new goals and transition to the next opportunity.
- Collaborate with Case Planners, Tutors, Specialists, and foster/birth parents, as needed, to help youth achieve their goals and ensure their overall well-being.
- Participate in Family Team Conferences and Treatment Plan meetings.
- Connect young people to peer support groups and help them build positive relationships.
- Ensure young people who are aging out can access and maintain stable, affordable housing and build independent living skills.
- Re-engage disconnected youth and help them re-enroll in an academic setting.
- Assess the fit between the young person and their current academic setting and help them transfer into a better-fit high school or high school equivalency (HSE) program, if needed.
- Assist students with planning for apprenticeship and vocational education paths, as appropriate. Assist young people in obtaining working papers, if needed.
- Conduct career exploration activities with young people.
- Assist ALL young people in selecting at least one career development experience each year that is in line with their interests and academic situation/background.
- Ensure that the young person coordinates with a Housing Specialist to ensure that housing applications are submitted as early as possible (by age 19 if their goal is to age out).
- Accompany the young person to visit supportive housing residences, when needed.
- Help young people maintain their housing by providing independent living and life skills supports such as budgeting, obtaining a bank account, building credit, and advocating with landlords, if needed.
- Document youth goals and progress accurately and timely in CARES4 and Connections.
- Other duties as required by direct supervisor or needs of the program/agency.
SUPERVISES:
- Volunteers/interns as needed
QUALIFICATIONS
The Coach role is not an entry-level role. Coaches need to have both emotional maturity and professional skills. As helping young people enroll and persist in post-secondary settings is one of the goals of the Fair Futures model, it is important for Coaches to have a post-secondary credential.
EDUCATION:
- A bachelor’s degree in SW or related field and at least two years of experience working with at-risk or system-involved young people.
EXPERIENCE:
- Minimum of two years’ experience in foster care or related field
SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Knowledgeable of foster care and assisting youth, children, and families at-risk
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to think critically and execute good judgement
- Ability to work collaboratively with consumers and co-workers
- Experience and facility with Microsoft Office Applications
- Ability to navigate throughout New York City using public transportation.
- Ability to work flexible hours as needed (beyond traditional 9 – 5 hours)
- Ability to work from a strength-based, trauma-informed, youth development lens
- Compassionate, warm, empathetic, consistent, and reliable
- A love for working with young people
- Strong ability to relate to young people, engage them in conversation, and provide support and encouragement
- Values and promotes diversity
- A belief that change is possible
- Able to maintain healthy boundaries
- Able to remain calm during moments of tension and stress.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Strong time-management, organizational skills, and attention to detail
- Ability to troubleshoot, advocate, and navigate obstacles where there is not always a clear-cut pathway
- Open to learning how to use and interpret data to inform decision-making
- Ability to effectively collaborate in team settings and build relationships with external partners
- Ability to use Motivational Interviewing techniques
- Ability to use trauma-informed techniques
- Knowledge of youth resources and services
- Ability to facilitate therapeutic peer groups.