Job Description:

Job Title: Youth Support Specialist
Location: Kirksville, MO
Department: Preferred Family Healthcare: Youth Services
Employment Type: Part-Time
Shift: Flexible

Job Summary:

Are you a passionate and dedicated Youth Support Specialist looking to make a positive impact in the lives of youth and young adults? Do you want to work in a supportive and dynamic environment where you can grow your skills and advance your career? Join our team at Preferred Family Healthcare as a Youth Support Specialist!

As a Youth Support Specialist, you'll provide comprehensive support to youth, particularly those in foster care, assisting them in overcoming barriers to independent living, education, and employment. Our ideal candidate is passionate about youth empowerment, has experience in foster care or related fields, and possesses strong communication and collaboration skills.

Kirksville, MO offers a high quality of life, with vibrant community amenities and a supportive environment for personal and professional growth. Join us in making a difference in the lives of youth and advancing your career!

Position Perks & Benefits:

• Mileage reimbursement - company paid for work functions requiring travel

• Top-notch training - initial, ongoing, comprehensive, and supportive

• Career mobility - advancement opportunities/promoting from within

• Welcoming, warm, supportive - a work culture & environment that promotes your well-being, values you as human being, and encourages your health and happiness
  

Key Responsibilities:

• Respectful Engagement: Treat all youth, referral sources, stakeholders, and team members with dignity and respect, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

• Collaborative Service Planning: Collaborate with Family Support Teams to create and update service plans using SNAP (Strengths, Needs, Abilities, Preferences) principles, ensuring comprehensive and individualized support for youth.

• Service Plan Facilitation: Facilitate the development of individualized service plans and conduct active services tied to plan goals, empowering youth to achieve their full potential.

• Life Skills Development: Assist youth with developing independent living skills such as meal planning, budgeting, and scheduling, promoting self-sufficiency and autonomy.

• Community Resource Specialist: Serve as a community resource specialist and facilitate mentoring opportunities for youth, connecting them with valuable resources and support networks.

• Financial Empowerment: Provide financial information training and support to youth, including budgeting and bill paying, equipping them with essential financial management skills for the future.

• Financial Tracking: Track expenditures, collect receipts, and solicit donations to assist youth with financial goals, ensuring transparency and accountability in financial assistance efforts.

• Youth Advocacy: Serve as a chaperone for State Youth Advisory Board meetings and other events, advocating for the needs and interests of youth at both local and state levels.

• Data Management: Complete required data entry and reporting within specified databases, maintaining accurate and up-to-date records for program evaluation and reporting purposes.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Maintain frequent contact with referral sources and serve as an advocate for youth, fostering positive relationships and collaboration to support youth's needs.

• Community Promotion: Promote the organization and its services through community events and awareness activities, raising awareness and building support for youth programs and initiatives.
  

Education and/or Experience Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent certificate required; associate's or bachelor's degree preferred.

• Experience in foster care, education, employment services, or case management preferred.
  

Required License/Certification:

• CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain)

• Current driver's license and auto insurance
  

Additional Qualifications:

• Strong customer service skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other electronic media

• Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written form
  

Brightli is on a Mission:
A mission to improve client care, reduce the financial burden of community mental health centers by sharing resources, a mission to have a larger voice in advocacy to increase access to mental health and substance use care in our communities, and a mission to evolve the behavioral health industry to better meet the needs of our clients.

As a behavioral and community mental health provider, we value diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workforce and encourage applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences. If you are passionate about empowering your local communities and promoting health equity, we invite you to join our mission-driven organization that is committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive and authentic workplace.

We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability or veteran status, or to other non-work related factors.

Supported Living and Employment Services is a Smoke and Tobacco Free Workplace.