Expectant and Parenting Youth Specialist

Description:

Position: Expectant and Parenting Youth (EPY) Program Specialist

• Reports to: Early Childhood and Expectant and Parenting Youth Program Manager

Employment status: Full-time/Exempt, Hybrid schedule, required in office/field based on organization needs. Location: Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court, Monterey Park CA

*Compensation and Job Title are commensurate with experience and may fall under the following pay ranges:

$68,640.00 -$76,000 annually. Please note that the salary/rate information is a general guideline only. CASA of Los Angeles considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.*

VISION STATEMENT:

CASA/LA’s vision is a Los Angeles in which all children and families impacted by the child welfare and juvenile justice systems have equitable access to the resources and support they need to thrive.

ORGANIZATON MISSION:

CASA of Los Angeles organizes the community to take action and advocate for children and families in LA County’s overburdened child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

Organization Overview CASA of Los Angeles mobilizes community volunteers to advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. The organization envisions a Los Angeles in which every child in the child welfare system has a dedicated advocate and the opportunity to thrive. CASA of Los Angeles is on a path to expand services across LA County so that it reaches a meaningful number of the 26,000 children in the dependency court system each year.

Key to this effort is sustained growth in the number of volunteers trained annually, the number who remain active throughout the year, and the revenue raised through community partners and donors.

CASA/LA also aims to support expectant and parenting youth and non-minor dependents in the child welfare system so that their children do not enter the system, helping to break intergenerational cycles of involvement. Supporting expectant and parenting youth begins prenatally. It is critical that youth in foster care receive the medical, emotional, social, and concrete resources needed to experience a healthy, safe, and stable pregnancy.

Position Overview The Expectant and Parenting Youth Resource Specialist reports to the Early Childhood Program Manager and plays a key role in supporting expectant and parenting youth through coordinated, youth-centered services. This position participates in Expectant and Parenting Youth (EPY) Conferences, providing critical knowledge, guidance, and connection to resources that help youth navigate pregnancy and early parenting while in foster care.

The EPY Resource Specialist also facilitates referrals to CASA of Los Angeles for the appointment of CASA volunteers and supports the advocacy process by managing a small caseload of CASA Volunteers assigned to EPY cases. Through collaboration, relationship-building, and systems coordination, this role helps ensure youth receive consistent, informed, and compassionate support during a pivotal stage of their lives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Expectant and Parenting Youth Conferences:

Attend Community Expectant and Parenting Youth Conferences in person and virtually to provide knowledge and resources for EPY in Los Angeles County. Encourage youth-focused and youth-driven team decision-making in the EPY Conferences.

• Facilitate referrals and warm handoffs to community resources on behalf of EPY.

Share information with youth at the EPY conferences about CASA and facilitate referral of expectant and parenting youth to CASA Complete case assessments for EPY referred to CASA. Complete service linkage touchpoint in Efforts to Outcome database to document service linkages.

• Research and stay current on EPY related resources in Los Angeles County

Attend all EC and EPY Committee Meetings

• Collaborate with EC Program Manager to provide data to Development Team for grants and reports to funders

Volunteer Support and Supervision Supervise a caseload of up to 10 EPY CASAs, who are providing advocacy.

• Create guidelines/sample language for parenting support plans for mentoring CASA volunteers.
• Maintain up-to-date Efforts to Outcome documentation on progress of CASA advocacy on caseload.
• Assist volunteers with writing court reports from a strength based, person first perspective.

Attend court hearings with volunteers as needed. Champion an approach to working with children/youth and families that emphasizes relationships, collaboration, and the challenges of social injustices. Model positivity and collaboration in working with CASA volunteers, staff, and community partners.

• Oversee volunteer compliance with CASA of Los Angeles’ s policy and procedures and assist volunteers with maintaining appropriate boundaries

Other Duties:

Represent CASA at meetings presentations with community partners, as needed. Attend DCFS Community EPY Advisory Committee Meetings Exercise leadership, independent decision making and professional judgement in day-to-day problem solving with team members and CASA staff. Attend and actively participate in one-on-one supervisory meetings, EPY and EC Committee meetings, Advocacy Team Meetings, All-Staff meetings and team group supervisory meetings, as needed.

• Collaborate and communicate with Prevention and Early Intervention service navigators on referrals for NMD/TAY resources and peer training.
• Research EPY related resources in Los Angeles County

Attend DCFS Community EPY Advisory Committee Meetings Local travel required, including occasional evening and weekend work.

• Participate in a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education per year.

Other projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

Master’s Degree or in a Master’s Degree Program degree in the areas of social work, human services, social work, psychology, nursing, public health or a related field. Valid driver’s license, vehicle and car insurance.

Experience working with adolescents/young adults from a youth-focused perspective and/or expectant and parenting youth/adults:

Highly proficient in MS Office, virtual meeting platforms and ability to work with new systems. Detail-oriented and adheres to clear deadlines. Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task. Ability to work within a multicultural environment serving children and families of diverse backgrounds.

Exceptional oral and written communication skills. Ability to maintain confidentiality Ability to pass a Live Scan and background check.

Behave in accordance with all competencies required of a leader that demonstrate the following:

Actively listens to concerns and exhibits patience even if in disagreement Responds and communicates constructively and positively to others and their opinions with a collaborative and non-judgmental approach Conveys the point of the discussion clearly, providing supporting information Effectively cascades information to the team and actively inquires their opinions and input

Exhibit emotional control during all encounters whether in agreement or not and while taking difficult stands Physical Requirements and Work Environment Time will be spent in the office and out in the field and could involve intermittent physical activities, including standing, bending, reaching, sitting, and walking.

The CASA office is an open office layout. Candidates will be working in a shared space with varying levels of noise and foot traffic. Lifting can be up to 20 lbs. This position is a flexible hybrid environment between remote, office and in the field. Will include work in the field and could involve intermittent physical activities, including standing, bending, reaching, sitting, speaking, and walking.

CASA of Los Angeles is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion. CASA of Los Angeles promotes equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. In doing so, we comply with local, state, and federal laws and regulations to ensure an equal employment opportunity for everyone. We don’t discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, ancestry, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, citizenship, military service obligation, veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. Our policies and personnel practices are intended to ensure that all of us are treated equally with regard to recruiting, hiring, and advancement, and our decisions on employment are made to further the principle of equal employment opportunities for employees.