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Sasha Bruce Youthwork Inc

Credible Messenger

Position Description

The Credible Messenger is a full-time position. Credible Messengers are mentors who are responsible for facilitating counseling groups and engaging in individual counseling with DYRS clients between the ages of 14 - 21. Credible Messengers possess knowledge of the juvenile justice system and outside referral systems in the District of Columbia. Credible Messengers must have an understanding of family structures such as blended, single-parent, dual income, and/or grandparents raising grandchildren, etc. The candidate must be familiar with social service organizations, DCPS, DC Housing, DC Courts as well as mental health, substance abuse and teen programs.

The Credible Messenger Initiative utilizes a group mentoring component that helps court-involved young adults transform the attitudes and behaviors that led to their criminal activity and increase a sense of commitment to community. The goal of the program is to help committed youth transition successfully out of the court-involved system by strengthening their attachment to educational, employment and mentoring opportunities. The core components of Credible Messenger Model include:

• A restorative justice group process where youth and families reconnect to their community.
• A Covenant of Peace curriculum delivered by culturally competent mentors.
• Individual sessions that focus on the goals identified in a youth's individualized development plan.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate groups utilizing agency sponsored curriculum.
• Build a sense of community within the program.
• Provide counseling interventions for DYRS committed consumers to improve individual functioning in school, home and community.
• Collaborate with DYRS team members to assist youth with attaining Success Plan goals; attends youth Team Decision Making (TDM) conferences as well as visits youth in their home, school and community.
• Complete detailed individual and group progress notes and reports
• Facilitate individual and/or family group sessions.
• Maintain availability (via telephone) after and before assigned work hours, to provide additional support guidance and assistance in the event of crisis.
• Provide on-site coaching to family members currently navigating the juvenile justice system, including explaining the Family Court process to families from intake through supervision, attending court appointments, and serving as a liaison with DYRS staff to ensure that families and Case Managers understand each other's concerns and work effectively together.
• Conduct monthly Program Orientations designed to inform family about court process, DYRS and to share information about available services.
• Provide individualized support of families, including, but not limited to navigating other systems (child welfare, education, mental health, housing, etc.) and accessing services from other government and community providers.

Qualifications

• Adequate knowledge of court involved systems and other service care systems in the District of Columbia area (i.e. DOES, RSA, DBH, etc.)
• Ability to connect with and provide empathetic, nonjudgmental, culturally and linguistically competent support to youth and families.
• Experience providing life coaching and support to youth either in a formal paid capacity, or informally as
• Flexible schedules with the ability to work evenings, weekends and on call fi necessary.
• Computer literacy and the ability to complete weekly data entry.
• Adequate verbal and written communication skills
• Understanding of the juvenile justice system and its processes; understanding other service systems including
• education, mental health, child welfare, etc.
• Vast familiarity with District of Columbia communities and resources.
• Must have a vehicle with appropriate insurance to transport clients