Preparing Youth for Adulthood (PYA) Specialist
23 days ago
New York
Job Description Title: PYA SPECIALIST Reports To: FAIR FUTURES SUPERVISOR, ENHANCED FAMILY FOSTER CARE Location: 7 West Burnside, Bronx, New York 10453 Hours: 35 Hours/Week; Exempt Job Summary: The Preparing Youth for Adulthood (PYA) Specialist will work collectively with other interdisciplinary staff including Coaches, Housing Specialist, Education Specialist, Case Planner, and Career Development & College Specialist to provide necessary services and guidance to young people to achieve permanency and transition successfully into adulthood. Duties and Responsibilities • Oversight of all PYA related activities and trainings for youth 14 and older., • Oversight of tracking sheets for Transition Plans for all youth 17 and older., • Coordinate and facilitate 90-Day Transitional Discharge meetings., • Plan and facilitate PYA workshops for young people pertaining to independent living skills monthly. PYA workshops include but are not limited to the following areas: preventive health & wellness, problem solving and accessing community resources, housing and budgeting, vocation and employment, educational support, forming and sustaining positive relationships., • Conduct community outreach and establish relationships with service providers to foster youth development specific to preparing youth for adulthood., • Coordinate and facilitate trainings for staff relative to PYA skills, Transition Plans, etc., • Complete and submit monthly PYA and Discharge Checklists for youth 17 and older., • Complete Daily Living Checklists with youth 17 and older., • Maintain communication with ACS APPLA Program Evaluator and attend quarterly compliance meetings., • Attend home visits as deemed necessary to engage participants., • Initiate and maintain effective liaisons with community organizations and service providers to advance youth development goals., • Maintain appropriate interpersonal relationships with young people ages 16 through 26., • Outreach and recruit youth to join the Youth Advisory Board (YAB)., • Implement the Fair Futures Model and attend mandatory agency and Fair Futures trainings., • Plan and participate in recreational events., • Oversight of tracking sheets for external events and workshops., • Conduct credit checks on the three credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) for youth 14 and older., • Participate in conferences, including but not limited to, Family Team Conferences, discharge planning, and Continuation of Care and Support Beyond Age 21 conferences., • Attend and participate in regular program and team meetings and provide progress updates., • Work collaboratively with Case Planners to assist youth with obtaining their vital documents including birth certificate, social security card, working papers, Passports, and government issued identification., • Maintain accurate documentation and complete the timely entry of progress notes into CONNECTIONS and Care4 in accordance with state and agency standard., • Prepare reports for internal and external shareholders as required., • Maintain tracking sheets and keep them updated on the intranet group site including SharePoint and OneDrive., • Conduct outreach for youth surveys/questionnaires., • Collaborate with College/Career Specialist around activities related to employment/internships for youth 17 and up., • Recruiting and identifying internships for youth including IPP and MIP internships., • Collaborate with College/Career Specialist to recruit and identify partner worksites for the GSS Internship Partnership Program (IPP)., • Accompanying young people to events, interviews, and other opportunities which promote preparation for adulthood and self-sufficiency., • Participate in Education Roundtable meetings and complete the template., • Promote and model the seven Sanctuary Model commitments to create a non-violent and trauma-sensitive culture., • Integrate the Sanctuary Model SELF (Safety, Emotional Management, Loss and Future) framework into daily practice to ensure quality care and an effective work environment., • Bachelor’s degree required., • Experience working with adolescents/young adults., • Familiarity with a range of independent living skills and ability to teach others such skills., • Strong group facilitation and/or teaching skills required., • Ability to work with diverse staff and young people., • Excellent verbal and written communication., • Excellent organizational skills, • Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) preferred., • Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, especially Word and Excel., • Must have a commitment to work from a strength based, Youth & Family Development perspective., • Field work is required., • Ability to work independently, demonstrate good judgement, and prioritize skills. All staff is expected to be committed to the mission, vision, and values of Good Shepherd Services, which includes involvement in quality improvement activities and a willingness and ability to work within a culturally diverse environment.