APPI (Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Intervention) Specialist – School Based Youth Services Program

Position Title

APPI (Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Intervention) Specialist – School Based Youth Services Program Reports To: Program Manager of SBYSP Broad Function: This position is responsible for supporting The Imani Center’s SBYSP program goals to help youth successfully navigate their adolescent years and graduate healthy and drug-free without becoming a teen parent. The program integrates sex education, counseling and related supports to reduce teen birth rates.

I. Core values

1. Demonstrates cultural competence through an awareness of and sensitivity towards Agency’s clients’ and coworkers’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics i.e. is flexible in presentation of profession self, has the ability to “connect” with diverse populations, and has the skills to integrate culture throughout the clinical process with respect to race, color, creed, religion, gender, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, age, appearance, mental and/or physical capability, etc. (*Culture is defined as membership in a group that has shared values, experiences and beliefs.) 2. Is committed to the value of a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a child and believes in the capacity of people to grow and change. 3. Works from a strengths-based perspective. 4. Understands and works well with other service systems (i.e.; child protective, juvenile justice, division on aging, probation and parole), maximizes resources to assist client. 5. Recognizes that consumers come first and responds to consumers appropriately. 6. Knows and adheres to all FC Policies and Procedures, participates in a Subcommittee and/or keeps abreast of and adheres to QI policies and procedures.

Ii. Professionalism

1. Values and participates in the Team as a proactive member. 2. Respects others’ professional opinions and tolerates a range of feelings. 3. Able to give and receive constructive criticism. 4. Willing to take on extra work when needed (i.e. when there is a vacancy). 5. Performs required tasks according to the program philosophy, policies and procedures. 6. Is courteous, approachable, and cooperative towards others and conducts self in a mature, competent, confident, and respectful manner. 7. Understands and adheres to confidentiality rights of clients, co-workers and agency, consistent with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), and protects personal health information in written, verbal and electronic forms. 8. Practices self-care, has a sense of humor and possesses a healthy work/ life balance important to providing great customer service. 9. Ensures the safety & comfort of others by communicating the presence of hazards, injuries, equipment problems or any need for help and knows the emergency evacuation and all other safety policies (universal precautions, etc.). 10. In times of crisis is willing to help others and communicates urgent information quickly to supervisor / Team. 11. Maintains good attendance (i.e. Maintains FT or PT schedule as contracted, and attendance does not impair or negatively affect the team.) 12. Is punctual for client appointments, meetings, etc. 13. Meets program productivity requirements. 14. Uses good judgment, practices ethical decision-making, and explores all options in problem solving. 15. Participates in weekly team meetings, monthly case conferences, and Quality Improvement Sub Committee Meetings

Iii. Supervision

1. Attends supervision consistently and comes prepared. 2. Provides relevant updates regarding client progress. 3. Consults supervisor when uncertain and when managing high-risk situations. 4. Documents supervision. 5. Able to receive feedback and to learn from it. 6. Has insight about self (i.e. strengths and weaknesses) and utilizes that knowledge toward growth and change.

IV. APPI Specialist Responsibilities

1. Provide case management, supportive counseling and education and awareness in individual and group regarding primary and preventive health care; sex education with a focus on abstinence and monogamy; pregnancy and disease prevention; decision making; life skills, teen dating violence; sexual abuse; date rape; communication and refusal skills; and family planning. 2. Support youth and provide them with the skills and resources necessary to successfully graduate, gain employment or further their education without becoming teen parents. 3. Plan and facilitate community outreach and education activities, as appropriate to the position; and serve as a liaison and representative to community organizations and schools. (In the case of school-based programs, develop and maintain partnerships and collaborations with the host of school and community resources.). 4. Design, implement, and oversee programming that promotes personal, social, and educational growth. 5. Provide mentorship, educational support and resources to help young people reach their goals. 6. Utilize an array of outreach, program marketing and resource connection strategies to inform and educate the school community about APPI services. 7. Document all case management notes, contact information, referrals, and other related documents for the care of clients. 8. Completes documentation as per agency, program and state contract guidelines into multiple databases including but not limited to the agency ECR (Netsmart), funder database (Salesforce/Connex) and ensure all information is entered accurately and within agency/funder timelines. 9. Attend agency, school, and local committee meetings. 10. Demonstrates the ability to utilize appropriate interventions in both non-crisis and crisis situations. 11. Supports in supervising after school recreation, activities, and trips as needed. 12. Assist Team in planning for and supervising summer programming. 13. Assist Team in annual QI Project. 14. Completes documentation according to agency clinical documentation timelines. 15. Tolerates a range of feelings, affects, and personal presentation without judgment. 16. Expense receipts, compliance and productivity reports, time and attendance sheets. 17. Ensure compliance with agency and funder policies, documentation, productivity and reporting requirements. 18. Maintains adequate programming to ensure minimum of 50% face-to-face client direct hours, per state contract. 19. Advocates, coordinates, and maintains on-going contact with other providers involved in clients’ care.

Specifications

Education/Certification: MSW, MS, MA or the equivalent in a social service-related field with experience working with adolescents. The APPI Coordinator attends a minimum of two (2) professional development opportunities pertaining to adolescent development and the delivery of services.

Experience

Required: Experience delivering supportive services around sex education to adolescents. Experience with diverse populations in an urban setting.

Preferred

Experience working with adolescents in a high school setting.

Knowledge

Knowledge of adolescent development. Knowledge of community resources, social service and mental health systems. Knowledge of appropriate interventions for adolescents and group processes.

Skills and Abilities

. Ability to engage adolescents in individual and group settings to mobilize individual strengths. Ability to provide or refer consumers’ assistance in obtaining concrete services. Ability to work with hard to reach or resistant consumers. Strong written and oral communication skills. Ability to create a warm, collaborative, non-judgmental therapeutic atmosphere. Ability to set limits and appropriate boundaries with consumers. Willingness to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Strong written and oral communication skills. Ability to work professionally and collaboratively on a multi-disciplinary team.

Professional Characteristics

open, warm, empathic, attentive listener, self-aware, ethical, creative, organized, flexible, open to criticism, patient, responsible, able to work independently, mature, self-motivated, dedicated, enthusiastic, willing to take on additional tasks and responsibilities, interested in seeking additional training and skills.

Salary: $42,000

Vacation & Benefits

• Vacation: As a full-time employee working generally 35 hours per week, you will be eligible to participate in the Family Connections group benefit plans. Benefits include medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, retirement plans, and additional supplementary benefits. Yes, you can elect to not enroll into these benefits. You will also be eligible to accrue vacation, personal, and sick days in addition to 12 paid holidays, and summer wellness Fridays. Benefits also include professional development assistance, referral program, internal/external trainings, Capella University partnership, 403b retirement plan with employer matching (3% max) (you can enroll in your 403b without a waiting period) , employer-paid life insurance, employer paid Long-term Disability (LTD) insurance, employer paid Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, etc.
• Work
• Environment: Physical demands may include standing, bending, reaching, squatting, kneeling, and lifting up to or in excess of 50 pounds.

• Family Connections is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer committed to excellence.
• Employment offers are made on the basis of qualifications and without regard to race, sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age veteran status, or sexual orientation or other protected classes under the State and Federal law.
• Family Connections participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm authorization to work in the United States.
• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and eligible for full‑time employment on a W‑2 basis.
• This role must be performed in a manner that is fully compliant with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including those of the State of New Jersey.
• C2C, 1099, or other non‑W‑2 arrangements are not eligible for consideration.