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PRIMARY FUNCTION/RESPONSIBILTY

The Youth Care Specialist is to monitor, guide, coach, instruct, mentor, communicate politely with all youth in their daily setting.  Youth will be respectfully treated as Very Important People (VIP’s), with quality customer service-oriented attitudes, behaviors and words.  All for the purpose of building sustainable self-regulation skills in the youth.

• Youth Care Specialist (YCS) provide direct care for abused/neglect youth through a therapeutic and trauma informed framework.
• YCS must work together for the benefit of those we serve and the continuity of the program; staff are expected to collaborate with the entire team and schedule regular meetings together to coordinate all the needs of the children and goings on of the campus.
• Be able to read, write and communicate with co-workers, medical personnel, and other person’s necessary to care for the needs of children.
• Provide emotional support utilizing trauma informed techniques, praise, positive feedback, affection, and empathy to build client’s ability to self-regulate. 
• Use rational problem-solving techniques to teach the clients critical thinking skills, assist with behavioral problems, counsel through personal issues, and provide crisis intervention.
• Plan, participate, and provide opportunities for individual and family activities that are both educational and entertaining.
• Model positive parenting, family, and individual relationship skills to clients, parents, legal guardians, and caretakers.
• Maintain contact and records with both internal and external agencies to obtain or provide information regarding youth’s behaviors, strategies, and progress.
• Prepare written records for program budgeting, weekly menus, tracking youth progress, reporting incidents/behaviors, and collaborating with the case manager on documenting youth medical needs and appointments within the prescribed time frame.
• Teach and model positive values and ethical behaviors, as well as support and encourage participation in all activities. Always encouraging residents to participate but never forcing them and always respecting everyone’s personal space.
• Assist with supervising the activities assigned to direct care staff to aid in client development and success.
• Assist youth with laundering personal laundry.
• Manage the daily operating schedule of the residence; assist with youth transportation needs, and overall facility upkeep (inside and outside).
• Adhere to all SJRC Touchstone policies and procedures, campus and residence guidelines, and DFPS GRO minimum standards.
• Report any/all suspecting abuse or neglect to the Administrator on duty and immediately report the information to DFPS: txabusehotline.org.
• Keep the Administrator and/or Director informed immediately, in the event of emergencies or unusual developments.
• Attend scheduled trainings and staff meetings.
• Document USDA food program data.
• Ensure compliance with all licensing regulations and contract requirements.
• Always ensure safety and supervision of youth.
• Complete all duties assigned by the supervisor.
• Report campus maintenance to the supervisor.

Touchstone Program

• Follow individualized therapeutic protocols for youth.
• Ensure basic needs of hygiene, nutrition, and clothing are met for each child.
• Prepare and serve daily meals as needed.
• Maintain cleanliness of the home environment, ensuring a safe and secure environment.
• Guide youth in self-regulation attributes related to social settings, self-help, academics, independent living preparation, problem solving, personal hygiene, financial literacy, and employability skills.
• Counsel youth through personal challenges using principles of the Neurosequential model of therapeutics, in accordance with required regulatory standards.
• Attend to youth’s medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health needs.
• Provide for moral, spiritual, and educational development of youth.
• Provide crisis intervention to youth while maintaining emotional self-control.
• Organize and participate in play/recreational time with the youth.
• Support and assist youth with all educational need to include homework, projects, and extracurricular activities.
• Provide transportation as needed to school, work, appointments, and recreational activities.
• Assist the Shift Supervisors in providing documentation, services, and treatment needs to youth.
• Display positive role modeling and leadership for youth by exhibiting skills taught in TBRI training.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High School diploma or equivalent is required, such as a GED from a program recognized by the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission or similar educational entity from another state, or documentation to verify high school equivalency from home schooling.  Must provide a copy of degree/proof of degree.
• College degree or credit is preferred.
• Valid Texas driver's license, appropriate insurance, and reliable car.
• Flexibility and willingness to work a wide array of hours, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays. 
• Ability to pass reference verification procedure to determine one’s fitness to satisfactorily and safely care for youth.
• Ability to attend all required trainings.
• Must be physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of performing all assigned tasks, and have the necessary skills to perform assigned tasks.
• Age minimum of 21 years of age per licensing standards.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER INFO

• Body mobility to stoop, kneel, bend, reach, and walk and walk briskly to interact with and monitor children.
• Stamina to work long days and drive long distances.
• Moderate to heavy lifting to up to 60 pounds.
• Must have the ability to communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Environment requires dexterity to remain calm and adapt to fast paced and emotional environments consisting of children with moderate to severe emotional and psychological needs.
• Retreat / Camp like settings with varying moderate to high degrees of background noise. 
• Campuses are smoke-free, except on permitted campuses in designated areas.
• Possible injury when lifting or moving (child or objects) if employee fails to use proper body mechanics, or if proper techniques are not used when the use of SAMA containment techniques are required.

DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP/REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Supervised by:            Shift Supervisor

Supervises:                N/A