Youth Advocate at COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS INC in Meriden, Connecticut

Job Description:

LISA Inc. a division of Community Solutions, Inc. is seeking a dedicated Youth Advocate to join our team at our SAIL program in Meriden, CT. As a Youth Advocate you are responsible for working directly and collaboratively with residents to help them develop daily living skills, work through problems and issues, navigate daily living/personal challenges, and coordinate and/or provide transportation when needed.  They will support the facilitation of goals on the individual service plans and work closely with all members of the staff team, support the Case Coordinators, and receive direction from the Program Supervisor to ensure a safe, effective program.  Youth Advocates are responsible for documenting daily progress of residents, facilitation of the TIER System and recording events in appropriate log books.  3rd shift Youth Advocates provide direct care and oversight of residents by conducting checks during the course of their shifts and remaining awake and alert. You will be working Saturday-Sunday 8am-8pm and Wednesday-Thursday 8pm-12am.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS include but are not limited to:

• Ensures that the tenets and philosophy of a strengths based, gender responsive, relational, trauma informed program are reinforced


• Works closely with each resident to support their individual growth and development, ensuring that daily living skills are taught


• Collaborates with the Case Coordinators to ensure that each residents individual goals are attended to, particularly daily living skill areas


• Consistently encourages and motivates residents, regularly catching them doing it right


• Reframes and/or redirects residents who are frustrated or struggling in some way


• Consistently applies approaches outlined in the TIER System to encourage pro-social, healthy behavior


• Appropriately holds residents accountable for unhealthy, unsafe behavior


• Provides positive role modeling for residents at all times, including dress, managing personal emotions, behavior, etc.


• Completes logs, reports, and data entry as required/requested


• Implements and provides proper documentation for the programs behavior motivation system (TIER)


• Contributes to the development of a monthly recreational calendar, participates in activities as appropriate


• Maintains the confidentiality of the residents and their families according to the agency's policy


• Ensures that residents nutritional requirements are met, in collaboration with the Agency Nurse and Supervisor


• Coordinates volunteer service projects with other LISA Inc. staff


• Participates in all meetings as required


• Transports and supervises residents


• Administers medication in accordance with DCF regulations


• May be mandated to work additional shifts should coverage not be available


• Perform additional, related tasks as assigned by the Program Director.

• Bachelor’s Degree with at least six months of experience or a Bachelor’s degree, 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.


• Additional certifications may be required upon incumbency.

Additional Qualifications:

• Prior experience working with adolescents in a residential setting


• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)


• Ability to effectively multi-task and prioritize


• Strong interpersonal skills


• Enthusiasm and passion for working with young people


• Reliable, conscientious, and attentive to details


• Goal-oriented


• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team


• Respect for varying cultures and diverse ethnicities


• Openness to new ideas, theories and/or methods


• Desire to learn and develop professionally


• Ability to remain temperate and judicious in the midst of a crisis


• Willing and able to learn and apply new skills

BENEFITS:

CSI offers great benefits which include:

• Vacation, sick and floating holiday time.


• Medical and Dental plans.


• Voluntary plan options for: Vision, FSA, voluntary STD, Accident, Hospital, Life insurance and AD&D.


• 401(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.