Stabilization Specialist
2 days ago
Grand Rapids
Job DescriptionSalary: $53,000+ AYA Core Values: Take Agency - Be Authentic - Create Healthy Community - Foster Inclusion Position Summary: • The Stabilization Specialist supports the Transitional Living Program (TLP) by walking alongside youth ages 1621 who are experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or family conflict. This position provides trauma-informed, strengths-based case management to help youth stabilize, build life skills, reconnect with safe supports, and transition into sustainable housing and independence. The Case Manager develops and monitors individualized service plans, connects youth to education and employment opportunities, and provides coaching in budgeting, health, and daily living skills. This role plays a critical part in ensuring youth have access to safe housing, supportive networks, and opportunities for long-term success. What you'll be doing in this role: • Case Management, • Conduct eligibility assessments and program intakes for youth referred through Coordinated Entry, Outreach, or partner agencies., • Develop and maintain individualized service plans (ISPs) and Individual Transition Plans (ITPs) using the Casey Life Skills Assessment., • Provide weekly one-on-one case management sessions focused on stabilization, goal-setting, and life skills development., • Coordinate services and warm handoffs to education, employment, healthcare, behavioral health, and legal partners., • Collaborate with youth advocates, mentors, housing staff, and external providers to ensure youth receive consistent, holistic support., • Ensure case plans include family engagement or reunification efforts where safe and appropriate., • Create safety plans addressing exploitation/trafficking risks, crisis response, and harm reduction., • Aftercare & Transition Planning, • Develop written transition plans for each youth prior to program exit, outlining housing, employment, education, and support systems., • Provide aftercare follow-up for at least 36 months post-exit, maintaining regular contact and tracking outcomes., • Participate in quarterly evaluation meetings and data quality reviews., • Own Youth Relationships, • Ensure that AYA's environment fosters belonging while being welcoming, inclusive and safe for members, staff, volunteers, community partners and donors., • Build meaningful and trusting relationships with youth as the expert in their own lives and empower them to set their own goals and recognize their own strengths., • Model and promote AYA's philosophy of care, which includes Positive Youth Development, Trauma Informed Care and Harm Reduction., • Quickly assess, recognize and intervene in possible safety compromises, difficult conversations and escalating behaviors., • Grow relationships with community partners and employers, advocating and facilitating warm connections to assist youth in achieving their goals. 4. Life Skills • Facilitate or co-lead group sessions on financial literacy, health and nutrition, housing readiness, and relationship skills., • Partner with AYAs Supportive Programs team to connect youth to job readiness training, GED/college pathways, and paid work experiences., • Support youth in obtaining necessary identification documents, benefits, and income verification. We expect you to bring * • Bachelors degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or related field required., • Minimum 2 years of experience in case management or youth development (experience with homeless or high-needs youth strongly preferred)., • Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and Positive Youth Development (PYD)., • Strong communication, organization, and documentation skills., • Familiarity with Apricot, HMIS, or similar data systems preferred., • Must have reliable transportation, valid drivers license, and ability to work occasional evenings/weekends., • Self-Management skills. Must be able to manage own time and priorities, • Process skills. Must be detail-oriented. Must be committed to providing prompt responses to inquiries and requests, and to being relentless in following up until tasks are complete., • Thinking skills. Must be able to demonstrate success in solving problems, managing multiple priorities, escalating issues appropriately, making decisions, and developing creative approaches to intractable issues., • Interpersonal skills. Must be able to listen actively, synthesize ideas, and obtain cooperation from others in transforming those ideas into action. Must be skilled at communicating orally and in writing, with emphasis on ability to present ideas clearly and concisely., • Professional skills. Must exhibit maturity and professionalism in personal behavior when officially representing AYA and even when off duty., • Psychological skills.Must balance focus with flexibility, enthusiasm with patience. Must be willing to take ownership and initiative. A positive, partnership perspective is essential, as is a high tolerance for ambiguity. Bonus points if you have • Background working with people who have experienced homelessness, trauma and/or mental health/substance use concerns and knowledge of de-escalation techniques, or own lived experience with these systems., • Basic understanding of the communitys social service and housing landscape., • Bilingual and/or multilingual a plus Some perks for working at AYA: • Health insurance (covered 75% for you & dependents) + HSA, • Dental, vision, life insurance, disability benefits offered, • Simple IRA with 3% employer match, • Healthy PTO program + Company-wide wellness week, • Annual personal wellness stipend, • Monthly coffee & conversations team building, • Staff retreat opportunities Equal Opportunity Employment: AYA Youth Collective is an equal opportunity employer who strongly desires to build a team that accurately represents the diversity of our target population. We embrace differences in race, color, nationality, religion/culture, gender identity/expression, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, military status, or ability. Dont meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At AYA, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if youre excited about this role, but your experience doesnt align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.