FORWARD JOURNEY COACH

Job Details

Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Forward Journey Coach

DEPARTMENT: Education and Parent Support Services

LOCATION: Brooklyn/Queens/Brentwood

Purpose Of The Position

As part of SCO’s Forward Journey Initiative, the Forward Journey Coach works with youth on a one-onone basis to develop individualized academic, career development, and housing goals based on youth

interests and strengths. Support includes connecting youth to quality schools, programs, resources, and

opportunities in line with their goals. Coaches provide ongoing social and emotional support including

connecting youth to peer support groups that foster positive relationships.

REPORTS TO: Forward Journey Coach Supervisor

SUPERVISES: N/A

I. Specific Responsibilities

As part of SCO’s Forward Journey Initiative, the Forward Journey Coach works with youth on a one-onone basis to develop individualized academic, career development, and housing goals based on youth interests

and strengths. Support includes connecting youth to quality schools, programs, resources, and opportunities

in line with their goals. Coaches provide ongoing social and emotional support including connecting youth to

peer support groups that foster positive relationships.

Key Program Components Include

• Community-based- Staff meet youth wherever is best for them (e.g., home, school, community).
• Systemic approach- incorporates multiple aspects of the youth’s natural ecology (community, peers,
  
  

family, school).

• Comprehensive- addressing the full range of a youth’s needs and goals (academic, career, housing,
  
  

relationships).

Forward Journey Coach duties will include, but not be limited to:

Overall

• Build relationships with youth and provide ongoing social and emotional support.
• Work 1:1 with youth to develop individualized academic and career development goals (including financial
  
  

literacy) based on their interests and strengths and take measurable steps towards their goals.

• Connect youth to quality schools, programs, resources, and opportunities in line with their goals.
• Help youth succeed in these settings, navigate any challenges that arise, celebrate success, and
  
  

plan/prepare for the next step on their journey.

• Collaborate with Case Planners, Tutors, Specialists, Foster Parent, and Parents, as needed, to help youth
  
  

achieve their goals and ensure their overall well-being.

• Connect youth to Peer Group supports and build positive relationships.
• Transport youth to/from school when necessary
• Complete PYA Tasks including PAT Tool
• Complete Youth Voice Questionnaire for youth (14-up)
• Facilitate My Journey Groups for youth
• Facilitate PYA Monthly Workshops
• Attend and complete all Fair Futures trainings. Input child information into all required data platforms
  
  

and systems.

• Other tasks as assigned by Supervisor
  
  

Academic

• Re-engage disconnected youth and help them re-enroll in an academic setting and assess the fit between
  
  

youth and their current academic setting and help them transfer into a better-fit high school or high

school equivalency program, if needed.

• Visit the youth’s school/program bi-monthly and build relationships with school staff, review transcripts
  
  

and academic data, provide educational advocacy, and discuss progress towards graduation/HSE

obtainment.

• Ensure young people are attending school and have the supports and resources they need to be successful,
  
  

such as tutoring, individualized educational plans, 504 Plans, or other special accommodations.

• Expose and assist students to post-secondary pathways and planning such as college, accredited vocational
  
  

programs, and internships starting in the 9th grade (or as early as possible)

• Maintain school stability.
  
  

Career Development

• Assist youth working papers, if needed.
• Conduct career exploration activities with youth.
• Assist ALL youth to select at least one career development experience each year that is in line with their
  
  

interests and academic situation/background.

• Work with the young person and Career Development Specialist to identify potential longer-term career
  
  

pathways based on the young person’s interests, strengths, and academic/vocational plans.

• Connect youth to the Career Development Specialist, if needed, to explore workforce development
  
  

programs, vocational programs, and for assistance with job applications.

• Connect youth, as needed, to agency-based job readiness and/or internship programs (e.g., YA WORC or
  
  

the Mentored Internship Program).

• Provide persistence coaching to young people enrolled in any external program by checking in with them
  
  

regularly.

Housing & Independent Living

• Coordinate with housing specialist to ensure youth submit housing applications (by age 18 when
  
  

appropriate)

• Accompany the youth to interviews and visit housing options, when needed.
• Assist youth with obtaining furniture, support through the move in process, and provide continued support
  
  

with housing stability.

Ii. Qualifications

Education/Degree: Bachelor’s Degree; Extensive Experience working with Youth

Other Skills And Requirements

• Experience in Education and Foster Care (preferred)
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, a strong sense of empathy towards our
  
  

populations served, and a passion for the field of child welfare.

• Ability to respond to the unique developmental needs of children in different stages of maturation
  
  

including early childhood, school age, or young adulthood.

• Ability to work with parents and children that have histories of chemical dependency, mental illness,
  
  

neglect, physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse, different cultural backgrounds, and varying

socioeconomics statuses.

• Ability to work competently, compassionately, and without judgment with individuals who may
  
  

identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, or who may be in different stages of discovering or

disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity.

• Strong time management skills, diligence, resilience, and experience working in a unit or team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel. Experience with CONNECTIONS preferred.
• Valid NYS Driver’s License required and/or timeframe of when one will be obtained.
• Commitment to the mission and programs of SCO Family of Services.
• Bilingual applicants strongly encouraged to apply.