Homework Home Child and Youth Advocate

Who We Are

Solid Ground (SG) is an award-winning nonprofit organization whose proven, holistic approach helps families build the strong foundations they need to emerge from homelessness into a brighter future. Through safe, affordable housing and innovative supportive programming, Solid Ground helps families transition to a higher-level of self-sufficiency and break the cycle of homelessness and poverty for the next generation.

At the heart of Solid Ground is the belief that housing stability is fundamental to the healthy development of children and to a family’s ability to be contributing members of the community. Solid Ground currently runs eight programs in suburban Ramsey and Washington Counties and housing over 660 individuals annually. Our mission is to prevent and end homelessness for families with children in the communities we serve through housing, resources, and opportunity.

$23.00 - $25.00 per hour;
Paid vacation time, sick time, plus ten paid holidays and two floating holidays; competitive health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings account (HSA), and options for flexible spending accounts (FSA). There is employer paid basic life insurance with the option for additional coverage paid by the employee. The employer pays for Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) and short and long-term disability insurance.

SG sponsors a retirement plan with automatic enrollment at 3% and a 3% employer match after one year of service, plus immediate vesting.

This is a hybrid position with at least 2 full days in the office. This position works during normal business hours and may include some evening hours.

A typical day as Solid Ground’s Homework Starts with Home Child and Youth Advocate provides an opportunity to assist children and their parents in achieving stability and self-reliance through education, community resources and supportive services. Responsibilities will include the following:

• Meeting regularly with parents, children, and youth to assist them in developing and achieving goals related to education, health and wellness, positive child and youth development, and parenting.
• Building trust and providing mentorship and advocacy to children and youth.
• Assisting with enrolling children in the local school system, helping with understanding Individual Education Plans, attending school meetings and parent-teacher conferences, Child Protection meetings, and court hearings related to Child Protective Services.
• Monitoring attendance and academic achievement of all school-age children and helping them improve their academic success by meeting the students at the school (as allowed) and addressing barriers to school success.
• Assisting families in obtaining and maintaining supplemental benefits including WIC, Childcare Assistance, and early learning scholarships.
• Assisting families in completing the Early Childhood Screening for all children ages 3–5.
• Assisting families in obtaining birth certificates and other legal documents for all children.
• Assisting families in registering for summer school, community education, and other extracurricular activities.
• Assisting families in locating and touring childcare facilities and preschools and connecting to financial assistance as needed.
• Completing ASQ-3 and ASQ-SE for all birth-to-five-year-old children and making appropriate referrals when needed.
• Assisting families in locating a medical home for their children and following up on well-child checks, medical needs, and mental health services.
• Assisting older youth with exploring higher education options including financial aid, college tours, and trade school opportunities.
• Supporting older youth with employment skills, finding jobs, and maintaining employment.
• Collaborating with school social workers, teachers, and McKinney-Vento Liaisons to support students socially and academically.
• Providing community resources and referrals as well as coordinating services with various community partners to provide a well-rounded approach.
• Coordinating and documenting all work done on behalf of participants to maintain accurate progress…