Youth Support Specialist

Why Work For Simpson?

Our Mission is to house, support and advocate for people experiencing homelessness. We believe that everybody has the right to safe and affordable housing; we strive to strive to create a collaborative community with the individuals we serve, within Simpson, and with the greater community; and we advocate against the injustices of society that cause homelessness and poverty.

Simpson Housing Services Provides an Excellent Benefits Package to All Full-time Employees, Including:

• Generous PTO and 11 Additional Paid Holidays
• Health Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts and an HSA match
• Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Up to 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Free Annual Minnesota State Park Pass or Wellness Stipend
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Dental Coverage and Vision Discount Plan
• An Incredible Culture that Encourages Career Growth and Support!

Summary

The Youth Advocate will provide case management services to youth experiencing homelessness. This position works with youth to improve the quality of individual lives through safe stable housing, employment, community connections, leadership, education and wellness. Through building trusting relationships and focusing on youth’s unique strengths, the Youth Advocate guides youth towards independence.

The Youth Advocate is part of the Youth Housing team at Simpson Housing Services. The goal of the team is to provide effective support services to homeless youth in transition. This position handles an intensive caseload of approximately 10-15 youth. They will be located in non-time-limited housing at 66 West in Edina. The position hours will be primarily during M-F business hours, but will require some evening and Saturday hours. Participant populations may include those with chemical abuse issues, criminal histories (drug charges, prostitution, fraud, etc.), and/or other disabilities.

Responsibilities

Provide effective case management to program participants:

• Complete intake and partner with property management to facilitate move in.
• Orient participants to service polices/procedures.
• Meet with youth in their home or in the community weekly to support youth to achieve their goals.
• Build trusting relationships with participants and create an environment that fosters independent living and community building.
• Assess participant needs and assist participants in developing goals focused on improving stability and self-sufficiency; monitor progress and ensure follow-through.
• Support and advocate for youth by connecting them with appropriate community resources.
• Provide transportation and accompany residents to appointments related to their goals.
• Follow SHS guidelines regarding participants’ program agreements with SHS. This can include setting up Youth Support meetings when necessary.

Assist participants to increase wellbeing:

• Support and refer youth who are struggling with mental health concerns that are impacting their housing.
• Support youth to identify ways to improve their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, and provide on-going support and guidance.
• Initiate and participate in collaborative meetings with individuals from other community support programs who are providing services to youth.
• Be mindful of youth’s family situation, incorporating follow up from foster care or repairing family relationships as desired.

Assist participants with housing stability:

• Collaborate with property management to ensure thorough communication and documentation.
• Provide tenancy education to participant youth regarding housekeeping, care of property, and expectations of their leases.
• Support youth to navigate conflict and crisis in their housing to ensure housing stability.
• Assist participants to address barriers to housing: such as a lack of proper ID, evictions on record, etc.
• Assist participants with the location of permanent housing, including housing search and moves as needed.
• Support youth to make their house a home with household items.

Assist program participants to increase financial stability:

• Work with participants to prioritize spending to ensure rent is paid monthly.
• Assist participants to access and maintain needed government benefits such as health care, food stamps and GA.
• Assist participants to connect with education, training, and/or employment.
• Assist participants to develop and achieve financial goals (examples: creating spending plans and budgets, accessing free credit scores and paying off debt).

Work as part of an effective team to meet goals of program:

• Communicate and coordinate services with all team members. Attend weekly team meetings, other required meetings.
• Communicate effectively with property management regarding tenant behaviors, tenancy concerns, and property issues.
• Sort and distribute in-kind donations.
• Answer inquiries into SHS through answering the phone or greeting people at the door.
• Employee may provide back up for advocates during periods of absence or during times of increased workloads.

Provide community leadership around Education:

• Seek out, build and maintain relevant community relationships to provide opportunities for youth.
• Host community events and activities to provide opportunities for all participants to engage in education.
• Seek out innovative ways to keep education relevant for youth.
• Demonstrate leadership around education through knowledge and initiative.

Complete accurate and thorough documentation and record-keeping in a timely manner:

• Maintain individual files, including case notes, signed data privacy, intake and discharge summaries, and Release of Information.
• Compile statistical reports for funding sources and program management including entry into data systems.
• Maintain accurate records including employee time sheets and travel expenses.
• Participate with funding reports, grant writing and site visits.
• Other duties as assigned.

Provide positive representation of SHS through public relations and networking:

• Interpret and promote the program to constituents, speak to community organizations and other stakeholder groups.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with staff, volunteers, participants and other stakeholders.
• Network with providers of similar services.
• Participate in professional meetings, workshops, and staff meetings.

Demonstrate essential knowledge, abilities, and skills:

• Ability and willingness to learn and incorporate agency philosophy into service delivery.
• Ability to work very well independently, with excellent skills in teamwork and collaboration.
• Ability to be flexible and manage time effectively.
• Knowledge of Harm Reduction/Housing First Model and commitment to that model.
• Ability to communicate effectively, positively and professionally with participants, providers, family members and others.
• Ability to work with individuals from very diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to perform non-traditional tasks while meeting participant needs.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Adhere to a standard framework of boundaries in all interactions with guests, volunteers, staff and public.

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in human service or equivalent experience in relevant field
• Driver’s License and working vehicle

Desired:

• Minimum of 1-year experience in providing direct social services to young adults
• Knowledge of human and adolescent development
• Training in working with low-income youth, young adults, diverse populations, and those who are homeless
• Knowledge of positive youth development, mental health, chemical dependency, trauma, physical or sexual abuse