Youth Policy Advocate

Who is Youth Villages?

Youth Villages is a nonprofit organization striving to help troubled youth and families live successfully. We are a team of 4,000 individuals who’ve come together across 27 states to change the landscape of child welfare and juvenile justice across the country.  Our work involves providing an array of counseling and treatment services to youth with severe emotional and behavioral problems. 

Eighty-four percent of those who go through treatment are succeeding two years after leaving our program. These youth are living at home, remaining in school, and are not experiencing trouble with the law.

We believe strongly in investing in and supporting our employees. We offer candidates opportunities to develop a career and be part of a positive change in our country’s treatment of at-risk youth and families. 

Position Overview

Provide consultation to the State and work with individuals with lived experience to ensure that they are involved in planning and improvement activities. The Youth Policy Advocate will utilize the direct experience they have with various state agencies to support family members and improve overall resilience of the young adults and families, as well as the policies and processes of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services. 

Responsibilities

• Work as part of a collaborative team that includes peer support and clinical staff to support families who are enrolled in the various Department of Children’s Services programs.
• Youth Policy Advocates will participate in training from TN DCS on topics as described in the Announcement of Funding (DCS Five-year Prevention Services Plan; Child and Family Service Plan; and Child and Family Service Review).
• Participate in training as needed.
• The Youth Policy Advocate will receive check-ins with their direct supervisor; these check-ins will include performance management, reporting, and debriefing to discuss any concerns related to the role, as well as provide ongoing feedback and professional development. Group meetings with the Youth Policy Advocate will also be conducted regularly to coordinate the team, share learnings, collaborate on projects or tasks, and provide additional training and development opportunities with the direct supervisor.
• Participate in events in the community in settings where those with lived experience can offer insight, expertise, and support.
• Participate in any internal agency meetings, as needed, to provide feedback and insight on policy and service delivery.
• Maintain a flexible schedule that would allow for the participation in meetings and events as they arise.
• Complete documentation as indicated to provide documented feedback to TN DCS and/or Youth Villages leadership.
• Attend weekly team meetings and ongoing training as

Additional Information

This is a part-time role. 
Schedule is flexible and non-traditional; based around scheduled DCS meetings and collaborations.
Applicants must have a valid driver’s license, a personal vehicle to use for work purposes and auto insurance.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED required

Experience as a caregiver to a youth involved with Tennessee Department of Children’s Services programs or personal experience with Tennessee Department of Children’s Services programs

Experience navigating the child mental health and/or child welfare

21 years of age or older

Driver's license

Acceptable driving record- Three or fewer moving violations within the past 36 months

Benefits

Mileage Reimbursement (when applicable)

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.