Coaches are full-time, trained professionals who are matched with up to 15 young people ages 14 and older in foster care. Coaches meet young people “where they are” and build a trusting relationship with them using an authentic, trauma-informed, strength-based approach. In addition to providing weekly emotional support, Coaches help young people make progress towards their academic, career development, housing/independent living, and other life goals. When a young person is unsure of their goals/interests, Coaches help them explore and expose them to potential opportunities. They then help young people connect to schools, programs, and opportunities in line with their goals/interests, persist in those settings, and plan/prepare for the next step on their journey. Coaches celebrate young people’s progress; if something doesn’t work out, Coaches help young people reflect and connect to the next opportunity.

Coaches will receive training in youth engagement, coaching, and how to navigate the educational, career, and housing systems and resources in NYC. They also have access to an array of voluntary professional development supports, including 1:1 technical assistance and membership to a learning community with Coaches from other foster care agencies (see below).  We respectfully ask a minimum 1-2-year commitment to this role, given the importance of young people having consistent, caring adults in their lives, and the significant investment our team will make into supporting and developing Coaches

The Success Coach is a critical position within HSVS’ American Dream Coaching Program. The Coach will provide quality, data-driven, individualized educational, employment, and housing support to HS graduates and youth in college currently or formerly in foster care.  The Coach will work with the case planning team, students, families, and school staff to connect students with the services they need to raise their level of educational achievement, secure employment, prepare for housing if eligible, and ensure that key transitions receive proper attention. The Success Coach will give particular focus to helping their youth achieve the best possible educational, employment, and housing outcomes. The Coach will be responsible for following the Fair Futures Goals and Steps model, Bottom Line curriculum resources, monitoring data, using data to help inform interventions, and inputting data into HSVS’ Fair Futures Platform.

The Success Coach (Healing Homes) will take ownership of providing individualized, thoughtful coaching for the young people living in HSVS' Healing Homes. The Success Coach should have innovative ideas for how to support educational success for youth who are not as motivated or may struggle academically, have experience trauma, are cautious in building trust, and may seek alternative roads to adult, independent success.

The Success Coach will be expected to create a calm, trauma-informed environment, and use a non-judgmental, strengths-based, and collaborative approach to working with the youth.  The Success Coach will report directly to Success Coach Supervisor.  The HSVS Healing Homes are located in Queens and Staten Island. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

Build relationships with the youth in or formerly in care with HSVS. Develop collaborative relationships with the case planning, Permanency Units, Education, and Youth Development programs. Support a roster of youth as determined by the Success Supervisor and Director. Conduct educational assessments, identify educational strengths and challenges, and draft plans for youth and their teams. Assign goals and steps on the Care4 Platform and update goal worksheets and data on the Care4 platform on a weekly basis. Complete progress notes on the Care4 Platform and Connections for all youth on their caseload. Plan and facilitate monthly Preparing Youth for Adulthood workshops, celebrations, and trips for youth. Use evidence-based assessments paired with internal structures to drive support of youth. Review and revise current education resources to provide more individualized support for youth. Actively prepare, participate, and advocate in youth's education team meetings and appointments. Assist families and staff in understanding and advocating for youth's educational needs. Collaborate with Workforce team to help youth secure employment.  Partner with youth to explore job and internship opportunities as well as help them prepare for job interviews. Connect youth with community partners and champions while in care and as they prepare to transition out of care. Organize, facilitate, and/or identify academic and vocational groups and exploration opportunities (i.e. job fairs, college tours, shadowing opportunities). Participate in the service planning and review process. Provide crisis intervention and behavior management. Maintain accurate, up-to-date educational and employment data for the youth served. Employ HSVS' trauma-sensitive practices within the coaching model. Support projects and initiatives for the Youth Development Team. Partner with housing specialist to assist youth with obtaining and maintaining housing