Expectant and Parenting Youth Specialist

Position: Expectant and Parenting Youth (EPY) Program Specialist

Reports to: Early Childhood and Expectant and Parenting Youth Program Manager

Employment status: Full-time/Exempt, Hybrid schedule, required in office/field based on organization needs.

Location: Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court, Monterey Park CA

 *Compensation and Job Title are commensurate with experience and may fall under the following pay ranges:

 $68,640.00 -$76,000 annually. Please note that the salary/rate information is a general guideline only. CASA of Los Angeles considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.*

VISION STATEMENT

CASA/LA’s vision is a Los Angeles in which all children and families impacted by the child welfare and juvenile justice systems have equitable access to the resources and support they need to thrive. 

ORGANIZATON MISSION

CASA of Los Angeles organizes the community to take action and advocate for children and families in LA County’s overburdened child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Through an intentional, restorative, and culturally responsive lens, we train committed, consistent, and caring adults who act by providing strengths-based advocacy and equitable access to resources and life-affirming connections. CASA/LA strengthens our community, ensuring that children and families have what they need to thrive.

Position Overview

The Expectant and Parenting Youth (EPY) Program Specialist reports to the Early Childhood and Expectant and Parenting Youth Program Manager. The EPY specialist participates in EPY Conferences for Expectant and Parenting Youth in the Child Welfare System to provide knowledge and coordination of resources and supports for the youth. The EPY Program Specialist will facilitate referrals to CASA of Los Angeles for appointment of CASA volunteers to the EPY. The EPY Specialist will initiate and maintain contact with EPYs on the CASA waitlist to identify their needs and provide concrete resources or warm handoffs to service providers. The EPY Program Specialist will manage a caseload of no more than 15 CASA volunteers appointed to EPY.

Duties and Responsibilities (but not limited to):

Expectant and Parenting Youth Conferences

o Attend Community Expectant and Parenting Youth Conferences in person and virtually to provide knowledge, service linkage and resources for EPY in Los Angeles County.

o Encourage youth focused and youth driven team decision-making in the EPY Conferences. 

o Facilitate referrals and warm handoffs to community resources on behalf of EPY. 

o Share information with youth at the EPY conferences about CASA and facilitate referral of expectant and parenting youth to CASA

o Input and maintain all data about EPY Conferences in EPY Efforts to Outcome Database. 

Expectant and Parenting Youth program development

o Complete case assessments for EPY referred to CASA.

o Initiate and maintain contact with EPYs on CASA waitlist. Facilitate provision of concrete resources and warm handoff to service providers for EPYs on CASA waitlist. Input and maintain all data about contact with EPYs on the waitlist into EPY Efforts to Outcomes database. 

o Research and stay current on EPY related resources in Los Angeles County 

o Facilitate share and support sessions with CASA volunteers appointed to EPYs.

o Attend all EC and EPY Committee Meetings

o Collaborate with EC/EPY Program Manager to provide data to Development Team for grants and reports to funders

o Collaborate with EC/EPY Program Manager and EPY Committee to identify and develop EPY related in-services for CASAs.

o Develop and facilitate workshops for EPYs and their CASA to build the EPYs capacities.

o Consult with other CASA staff to address case related questions/needs related to EPYs.

o Attend DCFS’s EPY Workgroup to share information about CASA’s EPY work and to strengthen partnerships in the community.

o Create welcome baby and family time bags for CASA EPYs. Input and maintain data to report to leadership and funders. 

o Identify and collaborate with community partners to secure resources for EPY youth.

Volunteer Support and Supervision

o Supervise a caseload of up to 15 EPY CASAs, who are providing advocacy.

o Create guidelines/sample language for parenting support plans for mentoring CASA volunteers.

o Maintain up-to-date Efforts to Outcome documentation on progress of CASA advocacy on caseload.

o Assist volunteers with writing court reports from a strength based, person first perspective.

o Attend court hearings with volunteers as needed.

o Champion an approach to working with children/youth and families that emphasizes relationships, collaboration, and the challenges of social injustices. 

o Model positivity and collaboration in working with CASA volunteers, staff, and community partners.

o Oversee volunteer compliance with CASA of Los Angeles’ s policy and procedures and assist volunteers with maintaining appropriate boundaries

o Encourage CASA volunteers to fulfill the 12 hours of continuing education requirement by connecting volunteers with opportunities. 

Other Duties:

o Represent CASA at meetings presentations with community partners, as needed.

o Exercise leadership, independent decision making and professional judgement in day-to-day problem solving with team members and CASA staff. 

o Attend and actively participate in Advocacy Team Meetings, All-Staff meetings and Program Department team meetings.

o Collaborate and communicate with Prevention and Early Intervention service navigators on referrals for NMD/TAY resources and peer training. 

o Research EPY related resources in Los Angeles County 

o Local travel required, including occasional evening and weekend work.

o Participate in a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education per year. 

o Other projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

o Master’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, nursing, public health, or a related field is highly preferred. 

o A bachelor’s degree in one of these fields is acceptable with a minimum of 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience at a level comparable to master’s degree.

o Valid driver’s license, vehicle and car insurance.

o Experience working with adolescents/young adults from a youth centered perspective and/or expectant and parenting youth/adults

o Highly proficient in MS Office, virtual meeting platforms and ability to work with new systems.

o Highly proficient in developing and facilitating in trainings both in person and on virtual platforms.

 Detail-oriented and adheres to clear deadlines.

o Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task.

o Ability to work within a multicultural environment serving children and families of diverse backgrounds.

o Exceptional oral and written communication skills.

o Ability to maintain confidentiality

o Ability to pass a Live scan background check.

* Behave in accordance with all competencies required of a leader that demonstrate the following:

o Actively listens to concerns and exhibits patience even if in disagreement

o Responds and communicates constructively and positively to others and their opinions with a collaborative and non-judgmental approach

o Conveys the point of the discussion clearly, providing supporting information 

o Effectively cascades information to the team and actively inquires their opinions and input 

o Exhibit emotional control during all encounters whether in agreement or not and while taking difficult stands

o Proactively takes responsibility for self and team.

o Builds professional, positive, and respectful relationships

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

· Time will be spent in the office, in the field and working remotely. It will involve intermittent physical activities, including standing, bending, reaching, sitting, walking, lifting and carrying boxes.

· The CASA office is an open office layout. Candidates will be working in a shared space with varying levels of noise and foot traffic. 

· Lifting can be up to 20 lbs.

· This position is a flexible hybrid environment between remote, office and in the field. 

CASA of Los Angeles is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity within its staff.

CASA of Los Angeles promotes equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. In doing so, we comply with local, state, and federal laws and regulations to ensure an equal employment opportunity for everyone. We don't discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, ancestry, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, citizenship, military service obligation, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. Our policies and personnel practices are intended to ensure that all of us are treated equally with regard to recruiting, hiring, and advancement, and our decisions on employment are made to further the principle of equal employment opportunities for employees.