Youth and Family Engagement Specialist

Description

The Youth and Family Engagement Specialist (YAFES) will work to provide and support direct services to youth and their families aimed at promoting health, wellness, and academic success for those in our service area. This role focuses on prevention, early identification, intervention, and ongoing support for students impacted by the social determinants of health using trauma informed approaches that recognize how trauma affects academic, social, and behavioral functioning. Most services are delivered within the school setting both during and after school, supporting the School Based Health Center (SBHC), while also engaging in community outreach and engagement.

The YAFES creates a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for youth and families, supporting care alongside school staff, health professionals, and community partners to build wraparound support. Candidates for this position should be passionate about working directly with diverse youth populations who face social determinants of health and be ready to build and maintain trusting relationships with our community.  

Key Responsibilities

• Youth and Family Development 
• Lead and facilitate group sessions based on established, evidence-based curriculum focused on reproductive health, prevention, peer support, and leadership development that addresses the social determinants of health. 
• Collaborate with both internal (HFC clinical teams and program directors) and external (student support teams) to design and update youth programming and services based on data, community engagement, and best practices. 
• Provide necessary referrals, care coordination, point of care testing, and follow-up services to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of students. 

Case Management

• Provide individual and collective youth groups for students identified by intervention and student success groups for the purpose of providing peer support, life skills, or other resources that address the social determinants of health.  
• Conduct and facilitate group assessments to identify and address emerging needs of youth participants and their families. 
• Support the development of processes, procedures, workflows, and policies that streamline coordination between the school, student/families, and HealthFinders. 
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of all contacts, referrals, and interventions complying with HIPAA, organizational policies, and state minor consent laws.  

Community Outreach and Collaboration

• Support and conduct outreach and engagement events and community -based programming, as appropriate, to increase awareness and participation of youth and their families. This work will require flexibility to work some evening and weekend shifts to effectively meet the diverse needs and availability of our community.  
• Serve as key staff in supporting outreach and engagement efforts and be an active participant on the Community Engagement team. The YAFES will collaborate closely with team members to develop and implement strategies that expand the reach and impact of HFC.  
• Build positive, trusting relationships with students, families, school staff, community organizations and health system partners to promote the health, wellbeing, and academic success of students within Rice and Steel counties. 
• Attend collaborative meetings with students support teams to discuss additional opportunities to address risk factors youth may be experiencing (intervention team at Faribault Public Schools.) Consult with teachers, student support teams, and other school personnel regarding social needs a student may present.  
• Provide ongoing educational support within the school, community, as well as HFC staff and volunteers as it relates to family and community services/programming. 

Program Implementation 

• Manage program records, attendance tracking, supply organization, and other administrative duties as assigned related to family and community services/programming. 
• Assist SBHC in maintaining confidential student records and data entry to ensure accurate tracking of services and follow-up. 
• Obtain and maintain MNsure certification to assist youth and families with health care enrollment. 
• Support grant program goals including documentation, data collection, and reporting. 
• Engage in continuous professional development to apply evidence-based practices in youth development and engagement. 

Other Responsibilities and Expectations

• Attend regular HFC staff and departmental meetings as well as participate in trainings and other educational opportunities identified to support the work in this role.  
• Complete documentation of work being done, in accordance with data tracking and management requirements.  
• Maintain clear professional boundaries with students and families as well as with school staff.  
• Maintain certifications and training that support all the above job responsibilities.  
• Other tasks and duties as assigned by supervisor to support the SBHC and youth development.  

Requirements

• Strong belief in organization’s mission
• Latino or Somali cross-cultural and linguistic fluency   
• Educational and community organizing experience preferred but not required   
• Strong computer skills and ability to multitask.   
• Excellent customer service skills, strictly maintain client privacy and confidentiality  
• Able to work independently, some evenings and weekends  
• Ability to pass a thorough background check with Department of Human Services