Youth Advocate - Full Time

THERAPEUTIC ALTERNATIVES INC; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Alternatives, Inc. in Chicago seeks a Youth Advocate to provide crisis intervention, direct case management, and advocacy for youth clients under supervision. The role focuses on equity, restorative practices, and trauma-informed support to prevent negative outcomes.

You will work within Positive Youth Development frameworks, coordinate with guardians, transport youth as needed, and facilitate groups while using data systems to document progress and referrals.

Qualifications

• Minimum of BA/BS in Human services or related field.
• Use of car during working/on-call hours and valid insurance.
• Interest and commitment to working in community-based youth services.
• Anti-oppression, Positive Youth Development, Trauma-informed and Balanced and Restorative Justice.
• Skilled at working with young people at high risk for juvenile justice and child welfare system involvement.

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis intervention, direct case management, and advocacy services to youth under supervision.
• Respond within 45 minutes to the police station, coordinate crisis resolution with family and youth.
• Maintain ongoing case management with guardians and youth; provide transportation as needed.
• Facilitate weekly groups and youth development programming.
• Follow-up on status referrals from the police by phone or letter.
• Implement therapeutic and youth development programs during school breaks.
• Use data systems (eCornerstone, YASI) to document cases and assessments.
• Explain Alternatives’ policies and services to clients and community partners.
• Provide intake coverage (phone and walk-in) and referrals when appropriate.

Skills

Anti-oppression

Positive Youth Development

Trauma-informed

Balanced and Restorative Justice

Youth at-risk experience

Group facilitation

Education

BA/BS in Human services or related field

Tools

eCornerstone data entry

YASI assessment

Job description

Youth Advocate

Status: Full-time; Blue Cross Medical/Dental/Vision, 403(b) retirement plan, Holidays, 4 weeks Paid Time Off, 10 weeks paid Parental leave

Our mission is to inspire young people to create a just future through practices that heal individuals, restore communities, and transform systems. Since 1971, Alternatives has modeled innovative alternatives to the status quo in Chicago's youth services field. Our school and community-based therapy, prevention and leadership development programs support young people to individually and collectively address causes of substance use, grief and trauma while building social-emotional, career and social change skills. In addition to working directly with young people, we train, coach and advocate for youth-serving institutions like Chicago Public Schools to be restorative and trauma-informed.

The Youth Advocate will provide crisis intervention, direct case management, and advocacy services to youth clients under the supervision of the YASS and Crisis Coordinator.

Perform the following from a racial, gender, sexuality, and ability equity lens:

• respond within 45 minutes to the police station, work with family and youth toward a resolution to the crisis, assess immediate needs of family and complete all necessary paperwork.


• Understand and work within a positive youth development and Balanced and Restorative Justice framework.


• Maintain ongoing case management for assigned cases, including daily contact with guardians and youth; Provide transportation for youth to school, temporary shelter, or to any other appointments during youth’s placement with Alternatives, Inc.


• Facilitate weekly groups and provide youth development programming as assigned.


• Follow-up on all status referrals from the police by phone or letter.


• Implement therapeutic and youth development focused day programs with youth in placement during school holidays and summer.


• Use eCornerstone data entry system and other data systems as assigned as well as the Youth Assessment Screening Instrument (YASI) assessment for each client case.


• Demonstrate knowledge of Alternatives’ policies, practices and services, and communicate these to clients, and where assigned, to other community organizations and members.


• Provide coverage of intakes, both phone and walk-in, providing crisis intervention and making referrals when appropriate.

Minimum of BA/BS in Human services or related field

• # Use of car during working/on-call hours and valid insurance.


• # Interest and commitment to working in community-based youth services.


• # Anti-oppression, Positive Youth Development, Trauma-informed and Balanced and Restorative Justice.


• # Skilled at working with young people at high risk for juvenile justice and child welfare system involvement


• # The COVID vaccine is mandatory for all employees to the full extent permissible under applicable law