Youth Achievement Specialist

Overview
The 4Kids4Families Youth Achievement Specialist is responsible for conducting assessments, working towards permanency plans, and coordinating efforts to ensure the well-being and stability of older youth (ages 14-21) in foster care. They will also collaborate with families, foster parents, and a variety of stakeholders to achieve the goal of permanency and successful transitional living for each child.
Benefits Include

• Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance options, including HSA match for qualifying contributions.
• Parental Paid Leave
• Retirement savings plan with company match.
• Paid time off and holiday pay.
• Mileage reimbursement.
• Tuition reimbursement available.
• Company sponsored learning and development

Responsibilities
Other duties may be assigned as necessary.

• Meet the individual needs of youth (ages 14-21) in foster care. Responsible for ensuring these youth are participating members of all treatment planning and goal setting meetings; their voices and opinions are taken into consideration before placement decisions are made.
• Work to develop individual transitions plans for youth in care including education, work, and housing.
• Work to make sure youth are completing PALs classes and are learning life skills.
• Ability to work in an emotion-filled environment which may require conducting home visits in isolated or high crime areas and may involve exposure to substandard and unsanitary living conditions.
• Advocate for the best interests of youth in foster care, collaborating with legal and court systems, ensuring timely court appearances, and providing necessary documentation for court hearings.
• Collaborate with various stakeholders, including social workers, therapists, educators, and healthcare professionals, to create a comprehensive support network for each child.
• Provide crisis intervention and support services as needed for children and families to maintain placement stability.
• Maintain detailed and accurate case records, documenting all interactions, assessments, and decisions in compliance with agency policies and legal requirements.
• Provide crisis intervention, when required.
• Provide training as required to include process, skills, and practice on preparing children and family for adoption.
• Work with youth to develop their family and support network.
• Help youth prepare for a successful adulthood through discussing housing, education, benefits, and realistic outcomes.
• Ability to travel and attend child and family visits as well as other work-related appointments and meetings after 5PM.
• Ability to be on call on a rotating basis and work irregular hours when necessary.
• Demonstrate cultural competency and sensitivity in working with children and families from diverse backgrounds.
• Perform all duties within contract, state and federal regulations, company policy, and regulatory agency standards.
• May be required to drive vehicles, be insurable with our auto insurance provider, and complete company vehicle training.

Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field preferred. 2-3 years of work-related experience in lieu of degree. Previous experience in child welfare, foster care, or adoption services is a plus. Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and best practices in child welfare. State licensure or certification may be required.