Fostering Connections Specialist

$26.57 – $39.86 Hourly

$55,273 – $82,909 Annually

This position is a Pay Band C7

Support development and deepening of resilience, as well as cognitive and social-emotional development helping young people understand and learn from their past and bounce back better in tough situations: (25%)

• Utilize a strengths-based approach, including validating and supporting good decisions
• Support youth as key decision makers in the development of their transition plan and life choices
• Connect youth to opportunities and normative activities to practice decision-making and adult responsibilities
• Encourage self-care and stress management skill development
• Explore with youth how past experiences may shape current behavior and emotional responses and what can be done to overcome challenges posed by trauma history
• Connect youth to resources that support development (e.g., tutoring, counseling, interest-related activities)
• Support young people in leading their transition plan development, reviews, etc. (e.g., choose the location, make phone calls, set the date)

Support the development, expansion, and strengthening of young people’s social networks: (25%)

• Use the practice model (coaching approach) as an opportunity to help youth develop stronger relationship skills and address ways to handle problematic relationships
• Maintain connection to siblings, birth family members, past foster parents, and other important adults whenever possible
• Connect youth to peers and communities with similar circumstances and backgrounds and to programs related to their interests, including housing placements that positively affirm identity
• Encourage youth and supportive adults to address any issues that make it hard for youth to develop healthy connections (e.g., anxiety, depression)
• Involve and actively engage youth, their family members, and other supporters in transition plan meetings and reviews

Support the development of knowledge around youth and emerging adult development and the impact of trauma on development; ensure engagement that encourages knowledge, awareness and skill development with young people to mitigate trauma and move towards thriving: (20%)

• Share information about adolescent brain developmen,t including the effects of trauma
• Help youth identify opportunities to take positive risks (e.g., sports, adventures, performances, academic challenges, public speaking) and to build on their strengths and interests.
• Ensure that youth are given age and developmentally appropriate information about sexuality and healthy relationships and have access to their preferred method of birth control
• Identify and refer youth to service providers that focus on and have expertise in working with youth from diverse backgrounds and experiences (e.g., LGBTQ, youth of color, expectant and/or parenting, involved in juvenile justice, undocumented, victim of domestic violence, developmental or physical disabilities, mental health needs)
• Ensure that youth are not unduly punished for behavior that is typical for this age, allow youth to fail safely without punishment or judgment

Provide concrete support in times of need by referring youth to developmentally and identity appropriate community-based services and supports, identifying barriers in accessing services, and partnering with youth to overcome barriers to ensure needs are met: (20%)

• Support youth in understanding and developing self-advocacy skills by asking for help and recognizing that getting support is not a sign of weakness but rather is a sign of strength and resilience
• Help youth navigate complex systems by explaining eligibility requirements, filling out forms with them and conducting warm handoffs to an individual who can help them negotiate access to a particular service(s)
• Help youth practice ways to handle setbacks and frustration and plan to get what they need
• Ensure youth are connected to services that are affirming of their racial, cultural and ethnic identities and sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE)
• Connect youth to services that are developmentally appropriate

Other tasks and duties: (10%)

• Ensure participation in life skill development training or activities connected to real life experiences, provide training to all eligible youth in a group and/or one-on-one, if needed to meet this requirement
• Document all services and supports provided
• Educate internal and external stakeholders about Older Youth Services and the Fostering Connections program; including conducting trainings/presentations regarding updated policies and procedures
• Review Start Up and ETV applications to ensure their appropriateness and completeness and submit for approval/
• Solicit and respond to intakes from tribal entities to provide Older Youth Services, including Fostering Connections, to tribal youth in tribal CPS custody, as appropriate.
• Conduct/coordinate and document assessments (CANS, CLSA, etc.), trainings, staffings, and other efforts in each youth¿s FACTS case
• Recruit and support youth participation in LUVYA NM and other youth advocacy opportunities
• Utilize data to assess own practice and identify areas for personal professional development
• Utilize effective teamwork to ensure cross-unit, cross-system learning, ongoing improvement, and best practice support of young people

Experience as it relates to:

• Working directly with Children, Youth, and their families;
• Partner with Community Service providers as it relates to Children, and Youth;
• Working with Youth in a school setting;
• Determining eligibility for services that might be needed for the Children, Youth and Families;
• Conduct and complete assessments of safety, risks, strengths, and family needs;
• Developing Safety plans for the Children, Youth and Families;
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings;
• Identify, provide, and/or arrange timely assessments/evaluations/ interviews;
• Conduct medical case management activities for eligible clients.

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Agency Contact Information: Scott Patterson-Alatorre, Email

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.