Youth Support Partner at SAN DIEGO YOUTH SERVICES – San Diego, California

San Diego Youth Services seeks a Youth Support Partner in the Youth Homelessness Program (YHP) to be based in San Diego. This is a full-time & non-exempt position reporting to the YHP Program Manager.

San Diego Youth Services: Who we are

San Diego Youth Services has helped improve the lives of more than 840,000 homeless, runaway and vulnerable youth since its beginning in 1970. We provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing to more than 28,000 youth every year at 100+ community and school locations. Through prevention, early intervention and treatment, we also help youth before they need higher levels of care or become homeless.

We aim to:

1. Meet the basic needs of youth. Hunger, poverty and youth homelessness are on the rise for many youth and their families today. We help meet these basic needs for youth. What could be more vital than food and shelter? We provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing.
2. Create positive connection. We help youth focus on positive life changes and healthy relationships as part of providing needed resources and services. San Diego Youth Services has long provided foster homes and adoption support services for families considering adopting a youth in the foster care system.
3. Help youth develop life skills. In addition to a range of safe and stable housing options, we offer support to help youth develop the independent living skills necessary to become self-sufficient and keep off the streets.
4. Promote overall health and well-being. Early intervention and care for the whole child are critical. We provide a broad continuum of services to help youth overcome trauma and challenges that put them at risk, including case management, counseling, mental health treatment and educational support and resources.
5. SDYS has a staff of approximately 250 employees and 80 volunteers working across San Diego County and an annual budget of approximately $24 million.

You can learn more about us at www.sdyouthservices.org

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

YHP is a joint transitional housing/rapid rehousing program that allows a youth to enter transitional housing with minimum barriers and then prepares the youth for the transition into their own lease.

CONTEXT OF THE POSITION

Responsible for providing comprehensive case management services to transitional aged homeless youth (ages 18-24) with trauma-informed principles.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Develop, implement, and evaluate an integrated approach for transition-aged youth, some with co-occurring disorders, in quality trauma informed youth programs, which adhere to and uphold the rigorous standards of San Diego Youth Services as mandated by its mission, purpose, guiding principles and standards of quality.
2. Provide quality trauma informed services to youth that adhere to and uphold the rigorous standards of SDYS.
3. Establish rapport with transition-aged youth from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Link youth with resources that are appropriate to their individualized needs.
4. Develop Independent Life Plans and to provide coaching and resource navigation services in areas relating to independent living skills development, educational and vocational services, health and wellness, crisis intervention, leadership development support and adherence, when applicable.
5. Monitor participant progress and maintain accurate records including data entry into approved database and reports.
6. Work independently and as a team member to create innovative ways to meet goals and provide a high level of service that is engaging and meets the needs of the participants.
7. Coordinate advocacy efforts for youth serviced within and across the TAY system of care and assist youth in locating, coordinating, and developing informal and formal resources and networks in the community.

SDYS EXPECTATIONS:

• Adhere to and uphold the rigorous standards of SDYS as mandated by its mission, purpose, guiding principles and standards of quality.
• Maintain confidentiality and privacy standards of service partner protected health information and other applicable information and material in accordance to agency and center policies, and applicable regulations and laws including HIPAA.
• Welcome and support SDYS volunteers and assist them in accomplishing their services whenever applicable.
• Effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Receive and give supportive feedback to foster equity and inclusion in working relationships.
• Recognize, nurture, and learn from strengths in co-workers.
• Maintain warm, welcoming and safe work environments.
• Possess flexibility to accomplish job responsibilities in several work environments, whether it be from home, on the road, or in an office.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelors required and/or minimum 2-years’ experience working with high-risk adolescents preferably with a basis in Trauma-Informed care, dual diagnosis, and cultural competency. Bi-lingual desirable. Completed Peer Specialist training preferred. Able to work in a diverse environment and demonstrate cultural competence. Must be willing to develop or possess working knowledge of trauma-informed care and dual diagnosis treatment. Must be available to work weekends and evenings as assigned by supervisor and/or as needed. Willing to and successfully complete background check, drug test, and TB test. Must have or be willing to obtain CPR and First Aid Certification. Must have own, reliable transportation and must be able to provide transport to youth as needed in the community.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Must have ability to bend at the waist, kneel or crouch.
2. Must be able to communicate clearly; verbally, visually, or through other effective methods, to exchange information and deliver presentations.
3. Must be able to lift and support youth with the moving process which may require the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
4. Sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
5. Ability to traverse and move within and between campus locations as needed to perform essential job duties.
6. Able to observe details at a close range and interpret the information (such as reading), prepare, and review a variety of documents related to activities of the youth and to be able to monitor youth activities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Hourly Pay: $21-23

To apply, please send resume and cover letter through job posting on SDYS website.

SDYS offers a comprehensive benefits package to full time employees that includes generous PTO, personal holidays, health, vision, dental, life insurance, parental leave and a 403(b)-retirement plan with matching contribution. SDYS is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.

All are welcome at San Diego Youth Services.

As an organization working to meet the basic needs of youth, create positive connections, help youth develop life skills, and promote overall health and well-being, SDYS believes its practices and actions must reflect the highest level of commitment to access, equity, and social justice.

The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent that our members invest in their work represents not only part of the SDYS’ culture, but the SDYS’ reputation and achievements as well. SDYS remains open to feedback from all communities it touches and knows that input from those with direct experience of issues will make the SDYS more effective in achieving its goals.

SDYS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. In compliance with the Immigration and Nationality Act as amended, all new employees must verify their eligibility to work in the United States.

SDYS is proud to be a kindness certified company.