Youth Advocate, IMP

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Youth Advocate works with a designated caseload of youth on court orders to help them successfully complete their court stipulations and build skills to avoid future involvement with the juvenile justice system. Youth advocates will focus on building therapeutic relationships with youth and families on their caseload and layer in supports needed for success.

Provides individual case management, supervision, and supportive services in the community, to a caseload of youth and families, in the Intensive Monitoring Program (IMP). Records all interactions in appropriate system(s) and work youth and their family to ensure compliance with youths’ supervision agreement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Complete daily in-person check-ins and document in appropriate system(s) per contract requirements.
• Visit client schools daily to check on progress/attendance.
• Interact with school staff to monitor daily school attendance, address school behavior and the performance of each youth to improve the youth’s functioning and behavior.
• Complete weekly and family session(s) and provide support to assigned youth and their family; make referrals to other County Programs as needed.
• Travel (Milwaukee County) 80% of time with flexible non-routine tracks to ensure youth’s full compliance with the court’s orders and curfews.
• Commit to work with any youth and family that is referred for the duration of their involvement in the program; acknowledge and emphasize the youth and family’s strengths, culture, and community.
• Collaboratively create client schedule and communicate schedule with entire team
• Support the family decision-making process to empower the youth and the family to avoid further law violations or continued involvement in the Juvenile Justice System.
• Prepare all documentation according to the program’s designated time frames.
• Present required reports to contracting entities including court officials.
• Coordinate and complete assigned tracking/documentation per program expectations and requirements, as well as ensuring mandatory counseling hours and recreation are provided to each youth on caseload.
• Ability to facilitate, counsel and supervise youth and family group sessions.
• Adheres to St. Charles Youth & Family Services Policies and Procedures
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• High School Diploma. Associate or Bachelor degree preferred.
• One to two years’ experience with programs that serve a delinquent or at-risk youth population.
• Must have valid Wisconsin driver’s license, liability insurance, and meet company’s driving policy and expectations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to display cultural competence and sensitivity to the populations we service by responding respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, socioeconomic characteristics, languages, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, and other diversity factors.
• Knowledge base of adolescent and family issues and dynamics.
• Appreciation for cultural and socioeconomic dynamics.
• Ability to accurately perform record keeping and documentation entries.
• Ability to perform computer tasks using MS Windows applications, agency data base systems, etc.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Indoor/outdoor requirements (including client homes and community settings)
• Travel approximately 70% using a company vehicle.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the above is intended to summarize the essential functions of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list of miscellaneous duties and responsibilities that may be requested in the performance of this position.

St. Charles Youth & Family Services, Inc. is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status.