Fair Futures Coach

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York is a nonprofit organization that has worked to improve the well-being of children, youth, families, and people with developmental disabilities across New York City and Long Island since 1929. Our staff of more than 500 provides prevention services, foster care, residential treatment care, adoption services, medical and mental health services, and programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities. 

A career with Little Flower can be rewarding in so many ways. We are looking for conscientious and caring people who are ready to commit to the work of strengthening families and supporting the well-being of children and adults with developmental disabilities. If you’re looking for a career where you can truly make a difference, we hope you will consider joining our team.  

Summary Job Description

Coaches are paired with up to 15 young people and work with each of them from 9th grade (or age 14, if they are disconnected from school) to age 21, regardless of their academic status. Through the course of their work with assigned youth, coaches’ general functions include the following:

• Building relationships with up to 15 young people
• Provide ongoing social/emotional support to the youth on their caseloads
• Work 1:1 with young people to develop individualized academic and career development goals based on their interests and strengths and take measurable steps towards their goals
• Connect young people to quality schools, programs, resources, and opportunities in line with their goals
• Help young people persist in these settings, navigate any challenges that arise, celebrate successes, and plan/prepare for the next step on their journey
• Should a youth not be successful in any particular school/program setting, Coaches help young people reflect on the experience and work with them to set new goals and transition to the next opportunity
• Collaborate with Case Planners, Tutors, Specialists, and foster/birth parents, as needed, to help youth achieve their goals and ensure their overall well-being
• Connect young people to peer group supports and build positive relationships
• Ensure young people who are aging out can access and maintain stable, affordable housing and build independent living skills

Principle Responsibilities:

ACADEMIC

• Re-engage disconnected youth and help them re-enroll in an academic setting
• Assess the fit between the young person and their current academic setting and help them transfer into a better-fit high school or high school equivalency (HSE) program, if needed
• Visit the young person’s school/program 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 (IEPs), 504 Plans, or other special accommodations
• Expose students to post-secondary pathways, such college and/or accredited vocational programs, starting in the 9th grade (or as early as possible)
• Assist students with post-secondary planning, along with the guidance counselors and/or College Specialists and Career Development Specialists
• Connect the student to the College Specialist to apply to colleges, opportunity programs, and all forms of financial aid, funding, and scholarships
• Provide college persistence coaching, including ensuring students are receiving all of the financial and academic supports they need to succeed each semester
• Assist students with planning for apprenticeship and vocational education paths, as appropriate
• Collaborate with Case Planners, guidance counselors, Specialists, Tutors, teachers, family members, and caregivers

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

• Assist young people in obtaining working papers, if needed
• Conduct career exploration activities with young people
• Assist ALL young people in selecting 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 the young person to the Career Development Specialist, if needed, to explore workforce development programs, vocational programs, and for assistance with job applications
• Connect young people, 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 AND INDEPENDENT LIVING

• Ensure that the young person coordinates with a Housing Specialist (and/or Case Planner, if the agency does not have a Housing Specialist) to ensure that all young people’s housing applications are submitted as early as possible (by age 19 if their goals is to age out)
• Accompany the young person to visit supportive housing residences, when needed
• Help young people move in and obtain furniture
• Help young people maintain their housing by providing independent living and life skills supports such as budgeting, obtaining a bank account, and advocating with landlords, if needed

Minimum Requirements:

• Qualified applicants for the Coach positions will be required to have a Bachelor’s degree and at least three years of experience working with at-risk or system-involved young people or an Associate degree and 5+ years of working with at-risk or system-involved young people
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong time-management, organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Ability to troubleshoot, advocate, and navigate obstacles where there is not always a clear-cut pathway
• Open to learning how to use and interpret data to inform decision-making
• Ability to effectively collaborate in team settings and build relationships with external partners
• Ability to use Motivational Interviewing techniques
• Ability to use trauma-informed techniques
• Experience working with vulnerable youth
• Knowledgeable about youth resources and services
• Ability to facilitate therapeutic peer groups
• Competence in planning, organizing, scheduling, case documentation, and strong oral and written communication abilities. Some experience in public relations preferable
• Must possess strong human relations skills to communicate and work effectively within a culturally diverse work environment and community
• Valid NYS Driver’s License if using personal vehicle or agency vehicle to drive on agency business.

Travel Requirements:

This position is based in Brooklyn, NY and will be required to travel to all locations to service this population. 

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected group status

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Statement:

With more than 250 years of combined experience, Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York and St. John’s Residence for Boys have a long-standing history of serving children, youth, adults and families of color. Our mission, vision and values are grounded in elevating the shared humanity of every staff member, community partner and those with whom we engage. We recognize that our DEIB work is continuously evolving as we strive for equity and inclusion for individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, ages, abilities, religions and lived experiences.