Coach- Fair Futures

At The New York Foundling, we trust in the power and potential of people, and we deliberately invest in proven practices. From bold beginnings in 1869, our New York-based nonprofit has supported hundreds of thousands of our neighbors on their own paths to stability, strength, and independence.  We help children and families navigate through and beyond foster care. We help families struggling with conflict and poverty grow strong. We help individuals with developmental disabilities live their best lives, and we help our neighbors access quality health and mental health services—core to building lifelong resilience and wellbeing. Together, our interrelated programs provide a whole-person, whole-family, and whole-life approach that unlocks solutions for a lifetime.

The Fair Futures Coach is a full-time position that provides support and resources to help youth who have had experiences with the justice system, make progress towards their academic, career development, housing/independent living, and other life goals. The Fair Futures Coach will report directly to Fair Futures Coach Supervisor. 

Coach Responsibilities:

• Build relationships with youth employing creative, out-of-the box, authentic, trauma-informed and strength-based approaches. Maintain a caseload of up to 18 youth.
• Work 1:1 with youth to develop individualized academic, career development goals, and other life goals based on their interests and take measurable steps towards their goals.
• Provide ongoing social/emotional support to youth.
• Support youth explore their interests and expose them to opportunities in line with their interests.
• Connect youth to specialists to help them identify and apply to best-fit schools/programs, career development experiences, and opportunities in line with their goals.
• Help youth persist in academic/career development settings by checking on them weekly, visiting the school/program, forming a relationship with the primary person at the school/program.
• Help youth navigate any challenges that arise and celebrate their successes.
• Help youth plan/prepare for the next step on their journey.
• Should a youth not be successful in any particular school/program setting, Coaches help youth reflect on the experience, provide support, and work with them to set new goals and transition to the next opportunity.
• Collaborate with case planners, tutors, and specialists, as needed, to help youth achieve their goals and ensure their overall well-being.
• Collaborate with parents, families, key adults, peers, stakeholders, etc. using a a strength-based approach.
• Plan and facilitate groups related to academic support, life skills, etc.
• Connect the youth to programs, resources, peer groups and opportunities in line with their goals.
• Attend coaching and mentoring and group supervision with the supervisor at the office or in the community as needed. Coach is expected to come prepare for coaching and mentoring and supervision.

The New York Foundling is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse employee population, the Foundling will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

Required Educational Level:

A bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology or relevant degree.

Other Requirements: 

Preferred Experience:

• Possess at least two years of experience working with teens and areas directly related to supporting youth, families or communities.
• Come from or be intimately familiar with the communities in which participating youth/families reside.
• Have similar life experiences as the youth and should have a passion for working with adolescents.
• Experience with and willingness to work with culturally diverse population.
• Able to undertake advocacy and outreach with parents, teachers, the criminal justice system and other institutions; collaborate as team players; empower youth to do the same; retain strong ties to the community.
• Knowledge of and experience providing treatment for domestic violence issues and substance use issues.
• Have experience with common clinical problems, e.g., child abuse and neglect, aggression, family conflict, depression, drug use, traumatic events, truancy, etc.
• Experience in providing direct services to youth and their families in their homes and communities.
• Have knowledge of the Juvenile Justice system in New York City.
• Experience in collaborating with direct service providers who engage with the identified populations or similar population in high-risk court-involved youth either in Family Court or Adult Court and/or Child-Welfare programs.