Fostering Connections Specialist (CYFD/FSD #10112501)

New Mexico Department of Justice; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) seeks a Fostering Connections Specialist to support foster youth aging out and transitioning to adulthood. The role involves coaching, planning, and coordinating services across housing, healthcare, education, and life skills.

Ideal candidates have a Master's in Social Work or related field, plus experience with youth, trauma-informed practices, and collaboration with community providers and multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work or a related field.
• Two years of experience working with youth and families.
• Ability to partner with community providers and multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Support youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood.
• Coordinate transition plans and life skills development.
• Provide technical assistance and information on relevant programs and policies.
• Document services and participate in meetings and case reviews.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Case management

Youth development

Partnership development

Education

Master's in Social Work

Bachelor's in Social Work/Counseling/Related Field

Job description

Job Title Fostering Connections Specialist (CYFD/FSD #10112501)

For more Job Requirements & Classification Description:

At the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), every role is an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, youth, and families across our state. We are committed to building a compassionate, skilled, and dedicated workforce that works collaboratively to ensure safety, promote well-being, and strengthen families. Whether you are in the field supporting families face-to-face, working behind the scenes to improve systems, or helping to shape the agency from a leadership level, your work here has purpose and long-lasting impact. Join a team that values integrity, resilience, and service and be part of meaningful change for New Mexico's future.

THIS POSTING MAY BE USED FOR ONGOING RECRUITMENT AND MAY CLOSE AT ANY TIME. APPLICANTS LISTS MAY BE SCREENED MORE THAN ONCE.

Why does the job exist?

Incumbent will partner effectively with young people to support the transition from foster care to adulthood in developmentally appropriate and identity affirming ways; facilitate enrollment and ongoing participation in the Fostering Connections program; implement the coaching approach practice model to support growth across life domains (housing, physical and mental health, daily living skills, employment and finances, education, supportive relationships and community connections, cultural and personal identity; parenthood); serve as an partner, advocate, and support to young people in internal and external staffing's, meetings, and with community-based providers; ensure opportunities to participate in normative activities that build (life) skills needed for successful adulthood. Provide technical assistance to the field, foster/adoptive families, providers, and the community regarding youth and emerging adult development, the impact of trauma, and best practices to support engagement and thriving; provide technical assistance regarding the Chafee Act, NM Older Youth Services, and other legislation/policy/ procedures that impact work with older youth.

How does it get done?

Support development and deepening of resilience, as well as cognitive and social-emotional development, helping young people understand and learn from their past and bounce back better in tough situations:

• Utilize a strengths-based approach, including validating and supporting good decisions
• Support youth as key decision makers in the development of their transition plan and life choices
• Connect youth to opportunities and normative activities to practice decision-making and adult responsibilities
• Encourage self-care and stress management skill development
• Explore with youth how past experiences may shape current behavior and emotional responses and what can be done to overcome challenges posed by trauma history
• Connect youth to resources that support development (e.g., tutoring, counseling, interest-related activities)
• Support young people in leading their transition plan development, reviews, etc. (e.g., choose the location, make phone calls, set the date)

Support the development, expansion, and strengthening of young peoples social networks:

• Use the practice model (coaching approach) as an opportunity to help youth develop stronger relationship skills and address ways to handle problematic relationships
• Maintain connection to siblings, birth family members, past foster parents and other important adults whenever possible
• Connect youth to peers and communities with similar circumstances and backgrounds and to programs related to their interests, including housing placements that positively affirm identity
• Encourage youth and supportive adults to address any issues that make it hard for youth to develop healthy connections (e.g., anxiety, depression)
• Involve and actively engage youth, their family members and other supporters in transition plan meetings and reviews

Support the development of knowledge around youth and emerging adult development and the impact of trauma on development; ensure engagement that encourages knowledge, awareness and skill development with young people to mitigate trauma and move towards thriving:

• Share information about adolescent brain development including the effects of trauma
• Help youth identify opportunities to take positive risks (e.g., sports, adventures, performances, academic challenges, public speaking) and to build on their strengths and interests.
• Ensure that youth are given age and developmentally appropriate information about sexuality and healthy relationships and have access to their preferred method of birth control
• Identify and refer youth to service providers that focus on and have expertise in working with youth from diverse backgrounds and experiences (e.g., LGBTQ, youth of color, expectant and/or parenting, involved in juvenile justice, undocumented, victim of domestic violence, developmental or physical disabilities, mental health needs)
• Ensure that youth are not unduly punished for behavior that is typical for this age, allow youth to fail safely without punishment or judgment

Provide concrete support in times of need by referring youth to developmentally and identity appropriate community-based services and supports, identifying barriers in accessing services, and partnering with youth to overcome barriers to ensure needs are met:

• Support youth in understanding and developing self-advocacy skills by asking for help and recognizing that getting support is not a sign of weakness but rather is a sign of strength and resilience
• Help youth navigate complex systems by explaining eligibility requirements, filling out forms with them and conducting warm handoffs to an individual who can help them negotiate access to a particular service(s)
• Help youth practice ways to handle setbacks and frustration and plan to get what they need
• Ensure youth are connected to services that are affirming of their racial, cultural and ethnic identities and sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE)
• Connect youth to services that are developmentally appropriate

Other tasks and duties:

• Ensure participation in life skill development training or activities connected to real life experiences, provide training to all eligible youth in a group and/or one-on-one, if needed to meet this requirement
• Document all services and supports provided
• Educate internal and external stakeholders about Older Youth Services and the Fostering Connections program; including conducting trainings/presentations regarding updated policies and procedures
• Review Start Up and ETV applications to ensure their appropriateness and completeness and submit for approval/
• Solicit and respond to intakes from tribal entities to provide Older Youth Services, including Fostering Connections, to tribal youth in tribal CPS custody, as appropriate.
• Conduct/coordinate and document assessments (CANS, CLSA, etc.), trainings, staffings, and other efforts in each youths FACTS/IMPACT case
• Recruit and support youth participation in LUVYA NM and other youth advocacy opportunities
• Utilize data to assess own practice and identify areas for personal professional development
• Utilize effective teamwork to ensure cross-unit, cross-system learning, ongoing improvement, and best practice support of young people

Ideal Candidate

Experience as it relates to:

• Working with youth and young adults who have experienced trauma.
• Working directly with Children, Youth, and their Families
• Partner with Community Service providers as it relates to Children, and Youth
• Working with Youth to support in transition planning and supporting with a smooth transition to adulthood.
• Determining eligibility for services that might be needed for the Children, Youth and Families
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings
• Complete and submit timely transition plans and court reports
• Conduct case management activities for eligible clients
• Ability to be versatile and prioritize deadlines.

Master's Degree in Social Work, Guidance and Counseling, Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, or Criminology from an accredited college/university OR Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Education, Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, or Family Studies from an accredited college/university and two (2) years of any combination of experience including working with communities on health or social service related matters, social work/case management experience, behavioral health, and/or health care. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field above licensure requirements and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling six (6) years may substitute for the required education and experience. May require a current license in New Mexico as a Doctoral Level Psychologist, Psychologist Associate, LISW, LMSW, LPC, LPCC, LMHC, or LMFT or eligibility for such licensure in accordance with New Mexico requirements.

Employment Requirements

Pre-employment background investigation is required and is conditional pending results. Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certification from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment.

Working Conditions

Office setting, exposure to Visual/Video Display terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and telephone usage with extended periods of sitting. May work under frequent time constraints. Will be required to be on-call. Statewide travel will be required as well, and the requirement to be on rotation for on-call.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to.