Intake Specialist Jobs

Are you passionate about empowering and supporting youth to reach their full potential? Do you believe that every young person deserves a chance to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances? If so, First Place For Youth is the organization for you. We are currently seeking dedicated individuals to join our team and make a positive impact on the lives of foster youth. Join us and be part of a transformative journey for young people.

About First Place For Youth:First Place For Youth is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood. We believe that all young people deserve the opportunity to thrive and lead successful, independent lives. We provide comprehensive programs and services that empower foster youth to overcome the unique challenges they face and achieve their full potential. With a focus on education, employment, and housing, we offer personalized support to help youth build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed.

Job Summary:The Intake Specialist is responsible for ensuring program census through ongoing outreach, assessment, and eligibility verifications of applicants. Adhering to program elements, the Intake Specialist provides or oversees all aspects of the admission process for all youth including verifying youths eligibility, program day, pre-admission assessments, initial service planning, coordination with housing, and presentation and warm hand-off to the services team. The Intake Specialist works directly with county placement partners including convening initial team meetings and encouraging participation and providing outreach to youth services teams to increase awareness of program and generate referrals. The Intake Specialist individualizes the approach for each young person including gathering relevant documents, consulting with appropriate stakeholders and vital supporters (as identified and consented by youth), and initiating conversations about goals and expectations of participants.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Liaise with county workers from child welfare, probation, and/or YDS workers. Invite and ensure participation in assessment activities and, where possible, initial team meetings.
• Verify youth’s eligibility via foster care county social workers, documentation or homeless verification letters. If youth are not qualified, provide resources or referrals to other programs. Provide walk-in hours for youth inquiring about program.
• Provide clear information to potential participants and consumers (such as county welfare workers, YDS staff, probation officers and other referring parties) regarding My First Place.
• Build relationships with partnership, especially ILSP SF/Alameda in order to continual effectively serving youth and bridging gaps between providers and services.
• Facilitate and lead THP+ referral coordination for Alameda County in partnership with 4 other THP+ programs. In addition, assure effect communication with other providers, youth applying and county representatives.
• Facilitate coordination with youth and team to introduce youth to program and team for a successful entry.
• Participate and provide clinical leadership in staff and clinical meetings. Attend weekly individual meeting with supervisor.
• As appropriate, and with release of information, gather information from stakeholders – e.g. teachers, social workers, family members, behavior health providers, etc – as part of assessment process
• Complete accurate, on-time documentation and update information in Apricot
• Complete and document applicant interest in program, assessment, participation in program day and all other intake related activities.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organization and within respective department
• Oversee and be the point person for both Alameda and San Francisco Counties referrals. Stay in constant and positive communication with both county representatives to facilitate clear and concise time lines.
• Lead staff meetings such as meet & greet with upper management and team meetings to confirm and coordinate youth entry into program. Provide accurate assessment information – through presentation of psycho-social, needs and strengths and other relevant assessment data to the services team. Include identification of potential stress points, potential antecedents, and strategies to mitigate or reduce risk.
• Coordinate closely with Housing Department and Services staff to ensure seamless entry into program and warm hand-off to jump start participant success. Include assurance of unit certification, roommate meeting, and initial safety-focused action plan.
• Develop (as needed) and provide tools to youth to assist with decision making and to ensure youth participation in strength and needs assessments and goal setting
• Continue to evaluate intake process to adjust and accommodate to staff and youth needs.
• Complete project assignments related to intake and transition of youth as assigned. When possible, act as field consultant for Masters level interns who can implement strategies and projects to support youth transitions in and out of program.

Qualifications And Requirements

• Professional License is a plus.
• Must be able to pass Community Care Licensing background check.
• Must be comfortable working in community settings
• BA in social work, psychology, counselling or equivalent required with Minimum four years of experience working in a child welfare social services setting or with transition age youth with complex presentations including chronic trauma.
• High level of personal accountability for the quality and impact of work
• Must have a dependable car, valid driver’s license, and proof of insurance
• Commitment to cultural competency and diversity – Deep commitment to social justice and systems change that addresses barriers based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Willingness to work collaboratively; capacity to work independently.
• Master's Degree in a social work, psychology, counselling or equivalent preferred.

Benefits

• 14 paid holidays
• Paid sabbatical
• VSP Vision
• Delta Dental Premium PPO
• Employee’s choice of Kaiser or UCH HMO/PPO
• Full-time position
• 2 flexible holidays
• Paid maternity and paternity leave
• 401K -Retirement options with employer match
• Up to 90% of premium covered by First Place for Employees and upto 70% premuims covered for Dependants
• 12 days of sick time
• 15 days of vacation time in year one

www.firstplaceforyouth.org

We are unable to sponsor work visas now or in the future.

First Place will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and applicable law. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Civil Rights Department Fair Chance Act webpage or reviewing this guidance provide by the City of San Francisco. For additional information regarding your rights, please also review the Summary of Your Rights Under the FCRA.

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