Youth Case Manager - Rym-Asa

YMCA International Services is a unique branch of the Y of Greater Houston and seeks to meet the needs of Houston’s significant refugee and immigrant communities. We provide comprehensive programs that focus on building human assets and fostering self-sufficiency. The goal of the Youth Mentoring Program is to match youth, (15 – 24 years old), with volunteer mentors who will support their successful integration.

Youth participate in group experiential learning activities and mentoring sessions. The case manager will be responsible for assessing youth's needs, referring them to Y services or community services, developing service plans, and collaborating with mentors to help youth achieve their educational and career development goals through social, educational, and vocational supports to ensure they are on a path towards self-sufficiency and integration. Additionally, the Case Manager will work closely with other case managers, program director, and mentor specialist to coordinate a variety of virtual and in person experiential learning opportunities such as college campus tours, student panels, speaker series, museum outings, and other acculturation events for our clients.

As a newly developing program, the opportunities for innovation are abundant and creativity, innovation, and outside of the box thinking is encouraged! The majority of clients served in the program are eligible Afghan newcomers who are arriving with immediate and long-term socio-emotional and educational needs and it is critical to ensure they have positive role models and access to support networks.

This is a temporary position ending September 29, 2023.

Duties /Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive interviews and complete intakes with prospective clients.
• Determine eligibility, assess the needs, and create service plans.
• Determine participants’ eligibility for services.
• Work closely with volunteer mentors and Mentor Support Specialist to ensure a positive youth development experience for the client, and successful and satisfying experience for the volunteer.
• Create and maintain accurate case files for all eligible participants; Track participation of participants and goal progress, while ensuring that all administrative processes and other administrative issues are done to the highest standards.
• Work closely with Mentor Support Specialist and Program Director to foster and collaborate with community partners, educational institutions, and visual and performing arts entities to carry out experiential learning component of the program.

• Manage logistics for mentees including providing supportive services to ensure mentees can make required mentor meetings and outings.
• Assist the Program Director in preparing both quantitative and narrative reports; Provide monthly program data.
• Support and facilitate the day- to- day operations of the Youth Mentoring Grant.
• Assist with and attend experiential learning activities and field trips; working closely with community partners and vendors.
• Meet timelines and deadlines related to supporting systems and employee compliance. Example includes but are not limited to Kronos Workforce Ready for review and approval of time sheets.
• Report suspicious and inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.
• Actively participate in multidisciplinary team meetings with the RYM team.
• Other duties as assigned including airport pick-ups of newly arriving refugees.
• Facilitate match initiation and termination or closure meetings between clients and mentors, and involve Mentor Support Specialist as needed to assess closure request and provide guidance and support to resolve conflict.
• Follow mandated abuse and incident reporting requirements.

The YMCA of Greater Houston 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, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

• Culturally aware, sensitive, and continuously works towards cultural competency as a life goal.
• 1-3 years of experience working with refugee and immigrant populations.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, History, Education, or Social Sciences (or related field).

• Assessment and relationship development experience with child and young adult populations; understanding of child development? ?and family dynamics.

• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Must travel to local communities and neighborhoods.
• Experience working with volunteers, community members, and community partners.
• Ability to create and manipulate documents and databases.
• Experience supporting youth with college and career readiness highly desired.
• Must be able to provide flexible hours to meet client needs.

• Is flexible, innovative, practices sound judgement, takes initiative, uses time effectively, focuses on details, and draws solid conclusions.
• Ability to form and sustain appropriate child and adult volunteer-based relationships, based on positive youth development and volunteer satisfaction.
• Ability to effectively assess and execute the following relational support skills: guiding, supporting, confronting, advising and/or negotiating.

• Computer skills with Microsoft Suite, databases, and office equipment
• Bilingual in Dari and/or Pashto is preferred.
• Works well under pressure and thrives under limited guidance.
• Texas Driver’s License; clean driving record; own vehicle; and applicable auto insurance.

Flexibility and adaptability to program needs and schedule are key. As the medium of programming and youth interests needs shift, the Case Manager will need to work creatively to adjust to new content, platforms, and approaches.

All positions are filled in response to current refugee arrivals and their language needs; as language needs change, this will necessitate flexibility in our staffing.