Youth Service Specialist -Cy-Fair ISD Harris County 198 reviews - Houston, TX $3,290 - $3,559 a month The Youth Service Specialist provides a community-based case management service to address the social, economic, and academic needs of children and youth, including status offenders; provides early intervention and prevention services for "at risk" students; handles crisis situations and provide crisis counseling and case management; addresses needs of students experiencing behavior problems, parent/child conflicts, runaway, and truancy issues; provides alternative solutions to problems to the youth and their families and all services are voluntary and at no cost and in an easily accessible way. Accepts referrals from the schools, police, parents, the community, other agencies and the youth in an effort to resolve family, personal and school problems at the earliest possible level and in the least stigmatizing way. Fast-paced environment involves collaboration with schools and other agencies. The duties of the Youth Service Specialist include, but is not limited to: * Reports to Area Supervisor of Community Youth Services (CYS) * Provides crisis counseling - an immediate, non-coercive, easily accessible method of providing on-the-spot counseling * Relates to Juvenile Probation and Child Protective Services staff members as well as fellow CYS workers * Serves as resource person to obtain services for youth and their families; arranges appointments and transports child if necessary or desirable * Works with runaways by providing crisis counseling, long-term counseling or voluntary emergency placement when necessary * Assists parents in arranging long-term, voluntary placement of children outside the home when other alternatives have failed * Assists with application procedures, testing, medical and intake interviews * Works with persistent truancy by arranging, locating, and developing resources that would assist in eliminating the course of truancy * Assists with referrals for educational testing and assist in changes in school program when necessary * Acts as a liaison between schools, Juvenile Probation Department, and, Protective Services for Children and Adults * Interprets policies and practices and contacts these agencies when information is needed concerning an adolescent * Visits and networks with new and established community resources * When possible, assists students in finding employment or job training * Home visits are made for the convenience of the client or to gain a better understanding of the situation * Prepares necessary paperwork and reports * Enters client information in the EVOLV Client Data-Base Information System * Reports to the Director of School Administration or the school district's designated liaison * Provides follow-up casework services to cases referred from TRIAD Intake Diversion staff * Participates on committees for community projects for youth * Avails self to speak to school and community groups * Participates on school committees dealing with youth problems and school policies * Helps plan and sponsor the CASY meeting for area * Assists in updating the CYS Resource Directory * Assists with updating respective district's publications Requirements * Bachelor's Degree majoring in psychology, sociology, social work, criminal justice or closely related field * One (1) year full-time paid experience in a youth-service agency * A valid Texas driver's license and automobile liability insurance * Reliable transportation Additional Requirements * Knowledge of community resources in Harris County for youth and how to use them * Possess casework and documentation skills * Knowledge and understanding of adolescent problems and stages of development * Knowledge of the Texas Family Code and related laws governing children and the ability to interpret these laws to youths, parents, and other entities * Responsible and self-disciplined enough to work independently