ADP High School Coach

The High School Coach is a critical member of HSVS’ American Dream Coaching Program, providing individualized educational, employment, and housing support to high school graduates and young people currently or formerly in foster care. Coaches are full-time, trained professionals who build trusting relationships with up to 15 young people ages 14 and older through an authentic, trauma-informed, strengths-based approach. They provide weekly emotional support and help young people identify their goals, explore opportunities, connect to schools and programs, navigate systems, and make progress toward academic, career, housing, and independent living goals. Coaches work collaboratively with young people, families, case planning teams, and school staff to support positive outcomes and successful transitions. They use the Fair Futures Goals and Steps model to monitor progress, inform interventions, and maintain data in HSVS’ Fair Futures Platform and Connections. Coaches receive ongoing training, individualized technical assistance, and professional development through a peer learning community. The position reports to the Specialist Supervisor and requires a minimum one- to two-year commitment to support consistent relationships with young people and allow for meaningful investment in Coach development.

Essential Functions and Primary Responsibilities of Position:

• In addition to responsibilities below, performs other job-related duties as assigned, consistent with the scope, responsibilities, and level of the position, and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies

• Participates in in-service trainings and on-site workshops as required for professional growth and development. Attends external trainings and workshops at direction of management.

• Manage a caseload of 15-20 students in foster care from 9th to 12th and provide compassionate, supportive, and trauma-informed coaching to high school youth.

• Conduct in-person / face to face monthly check-ins with all Scholars on their caseload at the agency, at the Scholars’ residence, school, or in the community.

• Implement the Fair Futures goals and steps model, and bottom line resources in monthly check-ins, and coaching with high school youth.

• Ensure school stability if a student is relocating homes.

• Entering data and progress notes on the Fair Futures Platform and Connections by assigned deadlines.

• Participate and engage in weekly, monthly, and ongoing virtual and in-person agency-wide, Youth Development, and Education Team, ACS, Fair Futures, CUNY, FCSI, Advocates for Children, College Access and College Success, professional development, and NYCPS related meetings, training, events, programs, and workshops.

• Maintaining relationships with school staff, and external stakeholders such as ACS, Fair Futures Coalition, CUNY.

• Support youth with applying to scholarships, funding, employment, educational, and housing opportunities as needed.

• Plan and implement in-person workshops and activities for high school youth throughout the year.

• 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.

• Assist students with planning for apprenticeship and vocational education paths, as appropriate; Collaborate with all relevant partners, such as Case Planners, guidance counselors, Specialists, Tutors, Teachers, family members, and caregivers.

• Assist young people in obtaining working papers, if needed.

• Conduct career exploration activities with young people.

• Connect the young person to the Employment Specialist, if needed, to explore workforce development programs, vocational programs, and for assistance with job applications.

• Ensure that the young person coordinates with a Housing Specialist to ensure that all young people’s housing applications are submitted as early as possible (starting at 18).

• Accompany the young person to visit supportive housing residences, when needed.

• 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.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree from a four year college or equivalent required. Masters degree or equvalent preferred.
• 2+ years working with youth or with the NYCPS system in an instructional, administrative or advocacy-related position preferred.
• Experience preferred in college access and college success programs.
• Experience required with special education, education team meetings, and student advocacy and leading workshops and trainings.
• Full-time-35-40 hours per week with flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
• Experience working with students and families in foster care is strongly preferred.
• Flexibility with traveling to the five boroughs.
• Operating Skills - flexibility in working on assignments, stays on task and meets deadlines, strong analytical skills, creative and critical thinker, and ability to stay organized. Experience and confidence with working with data, and ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities.

Benefits

What we offer once YOU join our growing family:

At Heartshare we offer a comprehensive benefit package based on full-time/part-time status. You can expect:

• Rewarding Work in a team environment.
• Paid vacation, sick, personal days, and holidays.
• 403(B) retirement plans with employer contribution.
• Health, dental, vision and life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Flexible spending account (Dependent Care, Medical, Parking, and Transit).
• Employee Appreciation Programs and Events.
• Tuition Assistance Program.
• Professional Development opportunities.
• Gympass Discount
• Verizon Wireless Discount.
• BJs Membership discount.
• Discounts on Broadway tickets, movie tickets, theme parks, sporting events, gift certificates & more

Heartshare is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). If you need to request accommodation during the recruiting process, please reach out to Leaves@heartshare.org.

About Heartshare

Who WE ARE:

For over 150 years, Heartshare has been dedicated to championing and empowering New Yorkers society has too often overlooked and underestimated.

To learn more about Heartshare, please visit our website at www.heartshare.org or follow us on Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Instagram Facebook