Youth Involvement Specialist

The Youth Involvement Specialist will provide coordination, vision and direction for youth involvement efforts for youth ages 14-25 that are currently receiving or have previously received primary and / or secondary services throughout Wayne County System of Care.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

Consistent with the principles of recovery, person-centeredness, and cultural competence, the Regional Youth Specialist's principal responsibilities are as follows :

1. Provide coordination, oversight and implementation to assigned portion of Youth United's Wayne County System of Care Grant work plan

2. Assist in recruitment and training of Youth Advocates and Youth participants

3. Provide oversight and supervision of Youth United activities

4. Supervise Regional Youth Coordinators

5. Work directly with Regional Adult Supports and Regional Youth Coordinators to ensure Youth United regions are in line with Youth United's work plan

6. Ensure that Youth United's goals, objectives and activities are in line with Wayne County Systems of care work plan

7. Convene and facilitate Wayne County Involvement meetings

8. Identify and support youth to develop youth-led projects and activities

9. Develop reports of activities, collect data and organize resources and prepare correspondence for assigned activities

10. Create fun and interactive ways to enhance a youth friendly culture throughout Wayne County and the State of Michigan

11. Organize presentations and speak on children / youth related matters to stakeholders and at conferences.

12. Coordinate and plan events / activities from conception to completion

13. Represent children / youth voice at state level meetings and conferences on matters pertaining to children's services as needed

14. Participate in all meetings related to youth involvement activities, i.e. Children's Initiatives Team meetings, Children's System Transformation meeting, Youth Advisory Council, etc.

15. Report outcomes to Children's Initiative Administrator and Children's Initiatives Director; Update Work Plan Deliverables at last least Monthly but required Quarterly.

16. Performs related work as assigned.

17. Provide oversight of Youth United's budgets through regional providers.

18. In absence of Regional Youth Coordinator, fulfill regional deliverables and provide supervision to youth advocate staff.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

• Ability to establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships with other employees, providers, community partners, and the public.
• Ability to set goals and develop a plan
• Decision making ability and professionalism
• Openness to the emerging workforce in community mental health, including people with lived experience, their family members, allies and fictive kin.
• Healthy respect for the needs and interest of the individuals who receive services.
• Knowledge of, or personal experience with behavioral health issues / Community Mental Health System and its services to children and youth.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to create presentations and present on matters related children's services
• Evidence of respect for and commitment to parent and youth partnerships and involvement in all aspects of mental health treatment
• Organized with and ability to set priorities and work independently; including reporting data and documenting activities in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with others (colleagues, supervisors, youth, parents, service providers, etc.)
• Skilled in computer applications including but not limited to : Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher and the Internet
• Experience with supervising or leading a team

DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING :

Experience : Five (5) years of professional work experience in community mental health, with experience with youth advocacy and or preventive services for children, youth and families organizing and planning events with at least three (3) years' of supervisory experience and or leadership role ; preferred experience

Training : Bachelor's degree in social work preferred, or similar related field preferred from a recognized college or university.

WORKING CONDITIONS :

Work is usually performed in an office setting but requires the employee to drive to different sites throughout Wayne County and / or State.

Certification / Licensure : Valid State of Michigan Driver's license

This description is not intended to be a complete statement of job content, but rather to act as a summary of the essential functions to be performed. Management retains the discretion to add or change the position requirements at any time.

DWIHN is an Equal Opportunity Employer