Youth Advocate; PT

Overview

Company Overview
The Community Solutions Inc. (CSI) is a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible citizenship, accountability, and well-being of individuals and families involved, or at risk of involvement, in the criminal justice system. Since CSI’s founding in 1962, it has been a pioneer in community-based service. We provide supervision, treatment, and comprehensive individualized services to help clients interact more effectively in their communities and become productive citizens.

Using this plan, we built the first ever halfway house in New England, which has since been replicated and grown to almost 50 programs in 9 states.

CSI understands clients and staff have been impacted by trauma. CSI is becoming a trauma-informed organization by hiring individuals with trauma-informed experience and supporting ongoing staff development in trauma-informed practices. This includes learning to recognize symptoms of trauma and how to respond through training starting at orientation and throughout their career  is committed to evaluating the integration of trauma-informed values of safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment in the organization’s policies, procedures, and structures to guard against re-traumatization.

The LISA Division of Community Solutions is seeking an energetic and dedicated Youth Advocate to work at the SAIL Program with young adults, ages 18-23. As a Youth Advocate, you will work collaboratively with clients to help them effectively navigate personal challenges and build life skills. You are the nuts and bolts of program operations and are responsible for establishing a safe, strengths-based and relational environment while supporting the adolescents in transitioning from interdependence to independence.

The Youth Advocate role is an entry level position, ideal for recent college graduates and experienced individuals starting a new career path in Human Services.

Wage: $18.75/hr with additional $1.00 2nd shift differential and $2.00 3rd shift differential.

Schedules Available: Friday-Monday 4:00pm to 10:00pm.

• Ensures that the tenets and philosophy of a strengths-based, gender-responsive, relational, trauma-informed program are reinforced
• Works closely with each resident to support their individual growth and development, ensuring that daily living skills are taught
• Collaborates with team to ensure that each resident's individual goals are attended to, particularly daily living skill areas
• Consistently encourages and motivates residents, regularly catching them doing it right
• Reframes and/or redirects residents who are frustrated or struggling in some way
• Consistently applies approaches outlined in the TIER System to encourage pro-social, healthy behavior
• Appropriately holds residents accountable for unhealthy, unsafe behavior
• Provides positive role modeling for residents at all times, including dress, managing personal emotions, behavior, etc.
• Completes logs, reports, and data entry as required/requested
• Implements and provides proper documentation for the program’s behavior motivation system (TIER)
• Contributes to the development of a monthly recreational calendar and participates in activities as appropriate
• Ensures that residents’ nutritional requirements are met, in collaboration with the Agency Nurse and Supervisor
• Coordinates volunteer service projects with other LISA Inc. staff
• Participates in all meetings as required
• Transports and supervises residents
• Administers medication in accordance with DCF regulations
• May be mandated to work additional shifts if coverage is not available

• Bachelor’s Degree with at least six months of experience or a Bachelor’s degree, or an Associate’s degree plus 2 years’ experience working with youth.
• Experience may be substituted for education.
• Must be willing to learn and implement strengths-based, relational, trauma-informed, gender-responsive and culturally competent approaches.
• Knowledge of Spanish in oral and written communication is desired.
• Valid driver’s license.
• COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test prior to start.

• 401(k) Retirement savings plan with automatic enrollment and a company match of 100% up to 4% of your contribution.
• Ongoing training.

CSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/Disability/Vet. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.