Youth Care Coordinator/Youth Advocate - Project Excel at Wisconsin Community Services

Job Responsibilities:

Youth Care Coordinator
Project Excel - Aspire and CSRC Program
Wisconsin Community Services

WCS is a nonprofit human services organization that works with individuals to overcome adversity.
We believe that all services should be person-centered, strength-based, trauma-informed and culturally competent. We seek compassionate, highly motivated, talented candidates to join our dedicated staff.

Position Summary: This position supports both the CSRC and Aspire programs, and reports to the Program Director. Responsible for trauma-informed service delivery to youth for positive outcomes in both programs. Supports the Youth Advocate for CSRC to coordinate programming and community service opportunities at Project Excel and in the community. Supports the Youth Care Coordinator to serve youth and their family with a focus on educational, treatment and employment/vocational needs of youth.

Essential Functions:
1. Assist youth and families to develop youth-centered goals and coordinate services utilizing evidence-based curriculum for mental health and AODA services, education, employment, and development of social support systems, etc.
2. Conduct intakes of new youth referred to CSRC and Aspire.
3. Complete all discharge paperwork, including discharge summaries.
4. Provide active supervision of youth at all times on-site, in the community and during transportation.
5. Role model a positive attitude and provide affirming feedback and positive reinforcement to youth.
6. Complete and maintain all required paperwork, records, and documents including intakes, service plans, school engagement plans, monthly reports, and discharge summaries.
7. Enter data into the program database, SecurManage, and the Milwaukee County database Synthesis, within the required timeframes.
8. Follow all applicable policies and procedures of the program and agency.
9. Maintain consistent, reliable communication with youth, parents/families, Milwaukee County CYFS staff and other team members, schools, etc.
10. Attend and actively participate in staff meetings and treatment team meetings with other service providers and supports.
11. Arrange and assist with transportation of youth, including riding on the transportation routes to pick up and drop off youth from programming.
12. Utilize Evidence-Based Practices with fidelity, including Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) Aggression Replacement Training, and Person-Centered Care.
13. Facilitate approved groups/ancillary services based on program needs and schedule (Making Proud Choices and Safe Dates, Alternatives, and Aggression Replacement Training, and Mindfulness), and ensure youth are engaged in education/tutoring services, as well as employment based on their needs.
14. Organize and connect youth and families to resources.
15. Participate in the programs Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Performance Quality Improvement Processes.
16. Provide services within Milwaukee Public Schools as required per CYFS contract.
17. Assist the Program Director in the preparation of drafts of all performance outcomes documents quarterly.
18. Collect feedback surveys from youth and families for Healthy Youth programming and the CSR and Aspire program in general.
19. Actively coordinate and participate in all aspects of the programs, including all community outings for CSRC.
20. Work the team to ensure the programs achieve outcome expectations of contracts.
21. Support the Program Director and team to complete weekly program census reports.
22. Participant in monthly Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Dialogue Sessions.
23. Participant in the Trauma Informed Care team for the programs, including the Annual TICOMETER Assessment, development of the Action Plans, and champion one of the goals.

Other Duties and Responsibilities: Provide coverage for colleagues when needed. Other job-related duties that are necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the position.

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Job Qualifications:
Minimal Qualifications: At least one year of social services/human services or education experience and a bachelors degree is preferred in social work or related field, an Associate degree is required; Familiarity with youth justice interventions that effectively reduce criminogenic needs, the Wisconsin Juvenile Code, and Childrens Court proceedings/processes is beneficial. Experience or familiarity with Comprehensive Community Support (CCS) services is beneficial. Licensed independent clinical social workers, certified social workers, and licensed professional counselors must meet the qualifications established in Wis. Stat. 457. Must have an insured automobile and valid drivers license. No convictions or license revocations that would fail a caregiver background check.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Working knowledge of positive adolescent/youth development and the effects of childhood trauma; experience with mental illness and substance use needs of youth; patience with and understanding of challenging life situations; the ability to interact with youth and parents/guardians in a calm, respectful, and professional manner at all times; ability to follow verbal and written instructions; ability to respond appropriately in crisis situations; ability to cooperatively problem-solve; proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel; perform computer functions necessary to program operations; uses time efficiently and effectively; ability to multi-task; sensitivity towards cultural, ethnic and disability issues. Highly organized and can work independently.

Personal Attributes: Follow agency Code of Conduct; adhere to established policies and procedures of the program, agency and of all funding sources; conduct self in an ethical manner; maintain professional and respectful relationships with program staff, other WCS staff, youth and their families, and all external persons and agencies involved with services; inclusive and equitable in treatment of all persons regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual identity, religion, ability, or any other factor; demonstrates commitment to agency values and mission; practice cultural reverence toward racial, ethnic, LGBTQ+, and disability issues.


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Other Job Information (if applicable):
Work Relationship and Scope: Reports directly to Program Director. Has contact with a wide variety of individuals including, but not limited to, program staff; WCS administrative and support staff; Milwaukee County Children Youth & Family Services staff; youth, parents/guardians and other family members; MPS staff and administrators; Childrens Court officials; Wraparound Milwaukee staff and staff from other service providers on the care teams; contractors/vendors; and members of the community.


Working Conditions: Work is performed primarily in a direct service environment with youth involved in the justice system, and in the community. Interacts with a wide variety of individuals, and youth may be verbally disrespectful. Most of the work is done throughout the building, in the community, or visits to homes of youth. Must be able to feel comfortable in a fast-paced environment. Must be comfortable working with youth and their families in a variety of settings and have the ability to direct the activities of youth, staff and providers during the program. Must be comfortable going into the community, including conducting home visits. Evening hours during the school year.

Program Hours:
During the school year
Project Excel 12-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday on school days and 8-4pm on Fridays (40 hours). Hours subject to change based on the needs of the programs.

Program Hours During the summer:
Project Excel: 8-4pm Monday-Friday (40 hours).
Hours subject to change based on the needs of the programs.

Physical Demands: Duties require constant physical activity while facilitating groups and interacting with youth in the program, including on community outings multiple times each week. Staff members are required to use physical intervention in extreme situations. Ability to lift and carry 20 lbs. required. Ability to transport youth in personal vehicle and ride on WCS or vendor van during transportation to and from the program. Drive the van as back-up when required. Reasonable accommodation may be made in order to fulfill the essential functions of the position.