Youth & Family Development Associate

SBCS Corporation; Chula Vista (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation time

Health/dental/vision benefits

Flexible spending accounts

Public service loan forgiveness

Job summary

SBCS Corporation’s Youth in Transition program seeks an Independent Living Skills Youth & Family Development Associate to support current and former foster youth ages 16 to 21 through transition to independence. The role emphasizes trauma-informed, strength-based, person-centered services within a collaborative team.

You will work with county social workers, provide coaching to develop essential life skills, and help youth obtain housing and necessary documents.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social science, psychology, or a related field.
• Minimum of two years of experience providing direct service to high-risk youth.
• Knowledge of adolescent development.
• Shared life experience and/or relevant case management experience focused on at-risk young adults (ages 16-24).
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with staff, volunteers, and the community.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient computer literacy skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management, crisis intervention, safety planning, and other services to foster youth.
• Collaborate with HHSA CWFB Social Workers regarding services.
• Collaborate with THP+/FC case workers and attend Child & Family Team Meetings.
• Guide and support eligible youth through the service and housing plan.
• Assist clients in obtaining necessary documentation for permanent housing.

Skills

Communication skills

Crisis intervention

Team collaboration

Advocacy

Education

Bachelor's degree in social science or related field

Job description

Department: Youth & Community Wellness

Program: Independent Living Skills

Status: Regular, full-time, non-exempt

Salary: $25 per hour

Location: Trolley Trestle

Schedule: Monday – Friday: 8;30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Must be available to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet the needs of the program.

Who we are

SBCS (formerly South Bay Community Services) transforms communities to support the well‑being and prosperity of children, youth, and families. For more than 50 years, we’ve worked throughout San Diego to provide safe shelter, transitional housing, intervention prevention programs, mental health support, and many other services that meet the ever-changing needs of our communities.

Our organization is dedicated to offering high-quality services and ensuring all services align with the community's needs. To best serve our communities, SBCS partners with various grassroots organizations throughout California to develop innovative strategies that enhance services, empower clients, and ensure that culturally appropriate and trauma-informed care is offered. SBCS provides a wide range of services tailored to meet each client's unique needs. At SBCS, our client-centered approach highlights the importance of respect, empathy, and compassion when interacting with all community members.

As a mission-driven organization, our work is centered around providing exceptional, face‑to‑face support to our clients and community members in order to foster trust, accessibility, and personal connection that are critical to our mission.

About YOU

You are an advocate and champion of nurturing communities where families can pursue their dreams and fulfill their potential.

You are dedicated to and energized by engaging directly with individuals and communities.

You care deeply about the well‑being and prosperity of ALL children and youth throughout San Diego.

You want to become a part of an energetic and effective team, and contribute your expertise, creativity, and insights to a unique role encompassing program management, development, and direct counseling services for at‑risk children, adolescents, and families.

About our organization

SBCS is home to a committed team of 470 dedicated employees and volunteers who diligently serve all of San Diego County. Having offered services for 52 years, SBCS is committed to providing hope and support for numerous young children, individuals, and families facing adversity. With an annual budget of $68 million, SBCS continues to be a beacon of assistance in the community.

Competitive and Sustainable Employee Pay Package:

SBCS offers competitive pay and additional benefits for full‑time employees, including generous vacation time, holidays, health, vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, an employee assistance program, discount programs, public service forgiveness loan, and an excellent retirement plan with matching contributions.

Program

SBCS' Youth in Transition (YIT) program offers seamless high‑quality services to youth transitioning out of the foster care system. Our trauma‑informed services and activities provide foster youth with opportunities to enhance their self‑sufficiency as they move into adulthood. YIT supports youth to address past trauma, teach independent living skills, provide transitional housing, safe places, employment/education pathways, experiences that build self‑confidence, as well as identify permanent supportive adults and other resources that assist to develop the skills necessary to succeed independently.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Youth in Transition Program Director/Coordinator, the Independent Living Skills (ILS) Youth & Family Development Associate will provide case management services for current and former foster youth ages 16 to 21 as they go through their transition from the foster care system into independence. ILS is committed to providing services that are trauma‑informed, strength‑based, person‑centered, and empowerment‑oriented. Through close interaction with the county social worker and YFDA, foster youth are encouraged to develop skills necessary to be successful in living independently. Services will be in keeping with agency goals, objectives, mission, and style and provided within a team framework. Associates are responsible for working with the team in developing team goals and objectives and in meeting those goals and objectives, including but not limited to:

DUTIES:

• Provide case management, crisis intervention, safety planning, and other services to foster youth.
• Collaborate with HHSA Child & Family Well‑Being (CWFB) Social Workers regarding services
• Collaborate with THP+/FC case worker(s) and attend Child & Family Team Meetings
• Guide and support eligible youth through the service and housing plan
• Assist clients in obtaining all necessary documentation required to obtain permanent housing (i.e., government‑issued photo identification, Social Security card, proof of income, etc.)
• Complete programmatic, data entry, quality assurance, and billing reports on a variety of software programs and required databases as requested and/or required.
• Provide one‑on‑one individualized coaching to develop essential life skills and live independently. Tailor instruction to individual needs and learning styles.
• Participate in MDTs to process to identify barriers to self‑sufficiency
• Assist youth in completing housing applications and other required paperwork
• Work with the CWFB Social Workers involved with the youth to assure youth are actively working towards their goals to remove barriers to permanent housing
• Assist youth in their communication with prospective landlords or/and roommates
• Develop strong working relationships with community partners who may help a youth advance their goals
• Provide other supports that assist youth in achieving self sufficiency
• Attend all agency required meetings and trainings.
• As other duties assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in social science, psychology, or a related field
• Minimum of two years of experience providing direct service to high‑risk youth/street youth
• One year of experience in housing subsidy programs, preferred.
• Knowledge of adolescent development
• Shared life experience and/or relevant case management experience focused on at‑risk young adults (ages 16‑24) highly desirable
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with staff, volunteers, and the community
• Adult role model with the ability to effectively set limits and function in crisis‑oriented and high stress situations
• Demonstrated understanding of community‑based resources and long‑term care support services.
• Detailed‑oriented and focused.
• Demonstrate initiative, resourcefulness, and problem‑solving skills.
• Possess and maintain positive and supportive relationships with coworkers, strong communication, relationship‑building skills, and ability to collaborate and work in a team‑oriented atmosphere.
• Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient computer literacy skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work with a diverse population, possess cultural sensitivity, and maintain appropriate boundaries with clients

Conditions of Employment

• Employment may be conditioned upon satisfactory completion of certain background clearances which may include a Department of Justice criminal background check requiring my fingerprints (Live Scan), Probation Clearances, Community Care Licensing Clearances, Child Abuse Central Index Check (CACI), screening through the National Sex Offender Public Website, physical exam, drug test, tuberculosis (TB) test, Immunizations (TDAP, MMR, Influenza) and such additional clearances as may be required under the program.
• Candidates/employees who have received a conditional offer of employment will be required to undergo testing for controlled substances, (including THC), in accordance with the County of San Diego's drug and alcohol policy and the federal Controlled Substances Act.
• Candidate is required to have reliable transportation to transport clients; therefore, the candidate must successfully complete a motor history check. Candidate must also possess and maintain a current valid California driver's license and valid auto insurance policy. (30% - 40% of the time.)

Physical demands:

• Mentally and emotionally: Ability to work under deadlines, various projects and dealing with clients in crisis and difficult situations.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position during shift.
• Moves throughout the building.
• Moves, raises, or lowers (includes upward pulling) an object or equipment up to 50 lbs.
• Transports an object, from 20 to 50 lbs. across the facility, for various needs.
• Ability to exert force upon an object so that the object moves away from the force.
• Ability to exert force upon an object so that the object moves toward the force (includes jerking)
• Ascending or descending stairs and ladders when applicable. Body agility is emphasized.
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when ascending, descending, traversing.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist, requiring full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with objects or office machinery.
• Communicating: Expressing or exchanging ideas. Communicating is important for those activities in which workers must impart information to clients or to the public, and in those activities in which they must convey detailed or important instructions to other workers accurately, or quickly.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of responsibility and essential functions of this position but should not be considered to be an all‑inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time unless restricted by a negotiated contract.

Accessibility Accommodation

SBCS is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, parental status, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Equal Opportunity Employer/Program – Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

At-Will Employment Status

Please note that all employment with SBCS is at‑will, which means your employment may be terminated at any time by you or SBCS, without cause or advance notice. The terms and conditions of any employment may also be modified.