Piedmont CASA Bridges to Success Coach

Description

The Bridges to Success Coach will be primarily responsible for providing individual, professional support to 10 to 12 CASA youth ages 14 to 18+ through relationship building, mentoring, problem solving, capacity building, and persistence. This job involves working with older youth in foster care to help them develop a comprehensive, holistic and measurable plan and to guide and support youth in their transition to self-sufficiency and living an independent, interdependent life. Working closely with CASA Supervisors and Volunteers the Coach will ensure that our youth receive appropriate support and advocacy services.

Job Duties

CASE MANAGEMENT (75%)
1. Engages 10 to 12 CASA youth ages 14 to 18+ in the development of independent and interdependent living skills, participation in case planning, education, and the improvement of soft and hard life management skills.
• Set up and maintain up-to-date case files that record the work done and
progress of each youth including the entry of all relevant information into
CASA Manager;
• Meet and/or contact youth at least bi-weekly;
• Assist young adults with educational planning, career planning,
daily living skills, money management, and self-care;
• Assist youth in establishing significant, positive adult connections, advocate for services and ensure youth is linked to all other community resources available;
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with key members
of the case management team to expand opportunities and support
successful outcomes- including but not limited to Departments of Social
Services, schools, foster care providers and community partners;
• Conduct Independent Living Assessments annually for the duration of the
case and utilize them as the basis for a strength-based conversation that
actively engages the youth in the process of developing goals;
• In partnership with youth over age 16 and his/her team develop Independent Living Transition plans annually and within 90 days of turning 18 and 21. These youth-driven goals are based on needs identified by the youth and the skills assessments.; and
• Adhere to Piedmont CASA’s case management protocol.

2. Work in partnership with CASA Supervisors and Volunteers to ensure that CASA youth receive appropriate advocacy and support for the duration of each case.
• Be an active resource for CASA Supervisors and assigned Volunteers;
• Attend court hearings, home visits, treatment team meetings and family partnership meetings, and other case related meetings as needed;
• Draft and submit Court reports as appropriate; and
• Provide collegial support to fellow team members as needed.

PROGRAM SUPPORT (25%)
1. In partnership with other team members participate in pre-service CASA training in accordance with Piedmont CASA’s approved curriculum and ongoing training to Volunteers and the community.
• Deliver relevant material to training classes involving a broad range of audiences; and
• Evaluate and monitor relevant training programs.

2. Perform duties as assigned by the President & CEO including, but not limited to:
• Participate in program staff meetings;
• Participate in Board meetings as needed;
• Participate in program and staff evaluation;
• Participate in special events and Volunteer support, recognition functions;
• In partnership with other team members, plan and coordinate advanced training and in-service training opportunities for CASA volunteers; and
• Serve as a liaison to community agencies and spokesperson for Piedmont CASA as needed.

3. Pursue professional development opportunities:
• Maintain knowledge of current significant theory, literature and resources;
• Synthesize and transmit current knowledge to team members and Volunteers;
• Attend current training as time and funding permits, with a goal of 20 hours per year; and
• Participate in CASA Network and DCJS training and meetings when relevant.

The Bridges Coach position is one held by more than one individual, and duties and responsibilities will be allocated between team members as determined by the Program Director and President & CEO. Nevertheless, each Bridges Coach must possess the skill and ability to accomplish the tasks defined in the Bridges Coach job description.

Skills Required

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: The Bridges Coach should have a minimum of the following skills and experience:

1. At least three years’ experience in counseling, teaching, or a human service related field;
2. The ability to communicate with, engage, and empower youth ages 14 to 18+ who have open DSS cases and who are being served by Piedmont CASA;
3. Familiarity with youth issues either from work or lived experience;
4. The ability to communicate with, engage and empower youth from diverse backgrounds ages 14 to 18+ who have open DSS cases and who are being served by Piedmont CASA;
5. Excellent family engagement skills, crisis intervention skills, ability to work well under stressful situations, ability to set well-established boundaries, ability to be compassionate, yet firm, and the ability to exercise sound judgment at all times;
6. Demonstrated ability and success with developing positive and purposeful relationships with agencies, people, and youth that lead to positive outcomes;
7. The ability to work cooperatively with different types of personalities and individuals of diverse racial/economic/cultural backgrounds;
8. Highly organized, self-motivated, team player;
9. Availability to work nights and weekends on a flexible 40-hour a week schedule to accommodate the needs and schedules of the youth you are supporting;
10. A driver’s license, regular access to a vehicle, and up to date insurance coverage (mileage reimbursed at standard federal rate) as well as the ability to travel within the state of Virginia to meet with each assigned youth at least once a month;
11. Basic knowledge of computers and word processing;
12. Commitment to Piedmont CASA’s mission and program goals; and
13. Belief that all youth can succeed and that it is ‘never too late’ to help an individual change direction.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling or a human service-related field or equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating the required knowledge, skills and abilities to carry out the responsibilities of the Bridges Coach;
2. Spanish fluency;
3. Knowledge and understanding of issues and dynamics within families relating to child abuse and neglect, knowledge of child development, and knowledge of the impact of trauma on children, youth and adults;
4. Knowledge of the child welfare, education and/or court systems;
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills that include well developed public speaking and presentation skills; and
6. The ability to participate in and deliver training.

Work Schedule

Availability to work nights and weekends on a flexible 40-hour a week schedule to accommodate the needs and schedules of the youth you are supporting.

Additional Info

LOCATION: This role will be based in our office in Charlottesville but will require significant travel time to meet with youth, service providers, and others. Mileage is reimbursed at the federal reimbursement rate.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: The starting salary for this position is $52,500. We provide generous paid time off including but not limited to health leave, annual leave, parental leave, and 13 paid holidays. Employer paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employee. Long term disability insurance coverage. Simple IRA retirement plan with a 3% employer match.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND DEADLINE: Email a cover letter, resume, and three references with email addresses to Kate Duvall at kduvall@pcasa.org by March 25, 2024.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: Piedmont CASA is an equal opportunity employer. Piedmont CASA will not unlawfully discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment or against any volunteer or applicant seeking to serve as a volunteer on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, military status (which includes active duty service members, reserve service members, and dependents), national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information or any other basis made illegal by the laws of the United States or the Commonwealth of Virginia. Every CASA employee will be expected to support and assist in carrying out this policy.