Youth System Guide

SALT Outreach Inc; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

SALT Outreach Inc. is seeking a Youth System Guide to connect unhoused youth to resources and support across Central Florida. You will educate youth and guide them through systems of care with individualized plans and mobile case management.

Work with a team of providers to expand access to housing and services, develop community partnerships, and advocate for youth voices in decision-making. A driver’s license and reliable vehicle are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field, or equivalent mix of education and lived homelessness experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide targeted outreach to youth-serving institutions and engage eligible youths for services.
• Screen and assess participants for basic and other needs; refer to shelter and services as appropriate.
• Assist with on-site outreach and case management/navigation as needed.
• Help participants develop individualized short- and long-term goals using motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care.
• Support housing problem solving and diversion to safe shelter when possible.
• Ensure services are delivered with youth development, cultural sensitivity, and housing first principles.
• Educate youth on available regional services and ensure fast access to resources.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Independent work

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work

Tools

MS Excel

MS Word

Google Docs

Job description

Description

The Youth System will support youth and young adults as they move through the system from front-door access to resource referral or stable housing. The Youth System Guides will connect unaccompanied and/or pregnant/parenting youth under the age of 25 experiencing homelessness or seeking services to resources and support by educating and guiding them through systems of care based on needs, youth choice, and individualized care plans. The Youth System Guides will work with a team of providers to increase the number of youth and young adults prevented from entering, or moving quickly through, the homeless system into safe housing. The Youth System Guide program provides an immediate response for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness in Central Florida (Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties) and offers each youth an individualized safety and service plan, mobile case management, and connections to community-based services. The Youth System Guide will also develop an extensive resources guide of youth serving organizations and will build positive relationships with community partners to increase collaboration and youth access

Requirements

Outreach & Engagement

• Provide targeted outreach to assigned youth serving institutions and communities in efforts to engage and identify youth experiencing homelessness who are eligible for services.
• Screen and assess participants for basic and other needs using the VI-TAY and other community-wide assessments. Provide resources, referrals and linkages to other social service venues and agencies, including shelter as requested and appropriate.
• May Be required to assist with onsite outreach services as needed Case Management and Navigation
• Assist participants in creating and executing individualized short- and long-term goal plans by utilizing evidence-based practices (e.g., motivational interviewing skills; positive youth development, harm reduction, trauma informed care, SMART Goals).
• Use housing problem solving to encourage and support safe, empowering, and appropriate alternatives to entering the homelessness services system if possible and help
• appropriate alternatives to entering the homelessness services system if possible and help immediately secure safe and reliable shelter when needed. This includes navigating opportunities to use diversion funds.
• Ensure all services are provided through a positive youth development, cultural sensitivity, trauma-informed, harm reduction, and housing first lens.
• Provide education about youth homelessness and about services available in the region and ensure that youth experiencing homelessness have easy and fast access to our network of services and support

Documentation & Data Tracking

• Complete documentation in SALT’s data tracking Systems
• Participate in the HMIS data system for all client tracking and reporting of services.

Community Engagement & Collaboration

• Collaborate with the Youth Coordinated Entry System Coordinator to match youth with appropriate housing, complete relevant assessments, enter and share data, and participate in case conferences.
• Participate in relevant CoC meetings including but not limited to Youth System Navigation team meetings and youth housing prioritization meetings.
• Collaborate with partner agencies to link youth to appropriate services
• Collaborate with departments within SALT to ensure appropriate delivery of services

Education & Training

• Attend recommended training and conferences to ensure the development of the knowledge base, especially related to domestic violence, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking, and provide safety planning and speedy linkage to specialized support services as needed

Youth Advocacy and YAB Recruitment

• Recruiting youth to participate in the local Youth Action Boards (YAB) and ensure YYA are able to attend meetings.
• . Advocate to ensure that authentic youth voice is integrated into all local decision-making processes.

Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related Field, or two years of related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and lived experience of homelessness with the willingness to learn and grow skills.

? Experience in providing case management or general support to youth preferred.

? Excellent verbal and written communication skills

? Strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills

? Ability to work independently in the field and collaborate within multidisciplinary teams.

? Organized, accurate, thorough, detail-oriented, and able to monitor work for quality

Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged periods

? May need to walk/stand for up to 8 hours at a time with a standard break

? Intermediate level with MS Excel, MS Word, and Google Docs.

? Must have a valid driver’s license and personal vehicle.

? Passion for combating homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental illness.

? Maintain a Valid Driver License

? Preference for candidates with extensive knowledge of or lived or working experience in one or more of the following systems: DCS/Foster care, Juvenile/legal, Domestic or intimate partner violence, HIV linkage to care, Healthcare/ mental health care, LGBTQ+, Department of Human Services benefits including SOAR/ SNAP/ TANF, Immigration, Substance abuse

Physical Requirements ? Ability to lift up to 50 pounds ? Ability to stand, walk, sprint, run, and patrol for extended periods ? Must hear and see well (either naturally or with correction) ? Must be able to bend, stoop, squat, kneel, push, pull, and reach overhead ? Work in a fast-paced environment with frequent interactions with customers ? Ability to function with frequent temperature changes between indoors and out ? Work in various weather conditions, including heat, cold, and rain ? Stand and walk continuously for up to 8-10 hours during a shift while providing customer care ? Considerable amount of time using a telephone and/or computer ? Answer phone calls and communicate with colleagues and clients verbally throughout the day ? Use hands and fingers for typing and operating office equipment, such as printers and scanners ? Use hands and fingers for precise mouse movements and keyboard shortcuts ? Review and analyze printed materials for accuracy and quality ? Attend meetings and collaborate with team members in various settings ? Collaborate with colleagues and communicate professionally in person and via email ? Attend meetings and collaborate with team members when needed EEO Statement: SALT Outreach, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, or disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Drug Free Workplace Statement: SALT Outreach, Inc. is dedicated to maintaining a safe and drug-free workplace. We strictly prohibit the use, possession, sale, or distribution of illegal drugs or unauthorized controlled substances on our premises or during work hours and prohibits team members and volunteers from reporting to work, working or being present on company premises while under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or other unauthorized substances, or with measurable quantities of alcohol, illegal drugs or other unauthorized substances present in the body. We reserve the right to conduct random drug tests of all our team members and volunteers. Violation of this policy, including a positive drug test, may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including terminatio