Youth Advocate (Per Diem)

Community Solutions Inc; Meriden (CT); On-site; USD 22,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) Retirement savings plan with an

Ongoing training

Job summary

Community Solutions Inc. is seeking an energetic Youth Advocate to work with young adults in the SAIL Program. The role involves collaborating to help residents navigate personal challenges, build life skills, and maintain a safe, strength-based environment.

Entry-level position suitable for recent grads or career changers in human services. Responsibilities include supporting daily living skills, working with the team to reach individual goals, and using the TIER system to encourage pro-social

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with at least six months of experience, or an Associate’s degree plus 2 years’ experience working with youth.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices and gender-responsive, strengths-based approaches is preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to transport or supervise residents as needed.
• COVID-19 vaccination or negative test prior to start is required.

Responsibilities

• Support residents to develop daily living skills and navigate personal challenges.
• Collaborate with team to attend to individual goals and behavior using the TIER system.
• Provide positive role modeling and maintain a safe, supportive environment.
• Complete logs, reports, and data entry; coordinate activities and transportation as required.
• Administer medication per regulations and assist in program documentation.

Skills

Trauma-informed practices

Relational approach

Spanish language (desirable)

Valid driver’s license

Willingness to learn

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Associate’s degree + 2 years experience

Job description

The LISA Division of Community Solutions is seeking an energetic and dedicated Youth Advocate to work at the SAIL Program with young adults. As a Youth Advocate, you will work collaboratively with clients to help them effectively navigate personal challenges and to build life skills. You are the nuts and bolts of program operations and responsible for establishing a safe, strength-based and relational environment while supporting the adolescents successfully transition from interdependence to independence. The Youth Advocate role is an entry level position, ideal for recent college graduates and seasoned individuals starting a new career path and needing to gain experience in Human Services.Company OverviewCommunity Solutions Inc. (CSI) is a nonprofit organization that promotes the responsible citizenship, accountability, and well-being of individuals and families involved, or at risk of involvement, in the criminal justice system. Since CSI’s founding in 1962, it has been a pioneer in the community-based service. We have been delivering supervision, treatment, and comprehensive individualized services to help clients interact more effectively in their communities and become productive citizens. Using this plan we built the first ever halfway house in New England which has now been replicated and grown to almost 50 programs in 9 states.CSI understands clients and staff have been impacted by trauma. CSI is becoming a trauma-informed organization by hiring individuals with existing experience in trauma-informed practices as well as supporting ongoing staff development with trauma-informed practices. This will include learning to recognize symptoms of trauma and how to respond, through training starting at orientation and throughout their career at CSI. CSI is committed to systematically evaluating the integration of the trauma-informed values of safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment at all levels of the organization's policies, procedures, and structures to guard against the possibility of re-traumatization.Wage: $19.75/hr, as well as any applicable shift differentialsSchedules Available: As Needed - Per DiemPosition OverviewEnsures that the tenets and philosophy of a strengths based, gender responsive, relational, trauma informed program are reinforcedWorks closely with each resident to support their individual growth and development, ensuring that daily living skills are taughtCollaborates with team to ensure that each residents individual goals are attended to, particularly daily living skill areasConsistently encourages and motivates residents, regularly catching them doing it rightReframes and/or redirects residents who are frustrated or struggling in some wayConsistently applies approaches outlined in the TIER System to encourage pro-social, healthy behaviorAppropriately holds residents accountable for unhealthy, unsafe behaviorProvides positive role modeling for residents at all times, including dress, managing personal emotions, behavior, etc.Completes logs, reports, and data entry as required/requestedImplements and provides proper documentation for the programs behavior motivation system (TIER)Contributes to the development of a monthly recreational calendar, participates in activities as appropriateEnsures that residents nutritional requirements are met, in collaboration with the Agency Nurse and SupervisorCoordinates volunteer service projects with other LISA Inc. staffParticipates in all meetings as requiredTransports and supervises residentsAdministers medication in accordance with DCF regulationsMay be mandated to work additional shifts should coverage not be availableQualificationsBachelor’s Degree with at least six months of experience, or an Associate’s degree plus 2 years’ experience working with youth.Experience may be substituted for education.Must be willing to learn and implement strengths based, relational, trauma-informed, gender responsive and culturally competent approaches.Knowledge of Spanish in oral and written communication is desired.Valid drivers license.COVID19 vaccination or a negative test prior to start.Benefits401(k) Retirement savings plan with automatic enrollment and a company match of 100% up to 4% of your contribution.Ongoing training.CSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/Disability/Vet. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.