Program Specialist - Behavioral Health Services

Job Announcement

The Community Youth Center of San Francisco (CYC) provides the youth of our city a sense of belonging and vital tools and experiences to succeed in life. Our services include academic support and college counseling, job placement and employment training, substance use and violence prevention education, crisis intervention and mediation, leadership development, and technology and computer training. Our mission is to encourage a diverse population of high-need young people to explore their full potential through academic, career, family, and community life.

Title: Program Specialist - AYPS/APIYFCSS/EYC

Salary: $26.00- $30.00 per hour plus benefits

Reports to: Program Coordinator / Program Director - (BH)

Status: Full-Time (40 hours/ week), Non-Exempt

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Program Specialist will work under various Behavioral Health programs- including but not limited to our Elevate Youth California (EYC), Asian Youth Prevention Services (AYPS) and API Youth & Family Community Support Services (APIYFCSS) programs.

Both EYC and AYPS address youth substance use. AYPS is a partnership between community-based organizations throughout the city. The goal of AYPS is to prevent, delay, and reduce the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD) among Asian youth in San Francisco. To achieve this goal, the program has designed activities that enhance the skills and abilities of participants to effectively make informed decisions about ATOD and other risk behaviors. The Program Specialist will assist with outreach, recruitment, and facilitation of our Life Skills Trainings and Strengthening Families Program (SFP).

APIYFCSS Program adopts a MultiSystemic Therapy (MST) approach to address mental health stigma, limited access to linguistically and culturally appropriate services, and co-factors surrounding API youth and LGBTQ+ youth specific mental health issues. The program includes outreach, engagement activities, mental health assessment, case management and linkage to services through early identification, peer-led and parent-led support groups and activities, community education and services, community projects, and cultural identity activities for Transitional Age Youth ages 16-24.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Outreach to youth, community members, and schools.
• Build positive relationships with both parents and youth.
• Act as liaison amongst school personnel, community agencies, and CYC.
• Assist in implementing youth-led, community-level projects addressing media messages to reduce mental health stigma.
• Provide case management for comprehensive services and linkages, advocate for clients and family access to services, and collaborate with all systems involved with the family.
• Prepare and complete required written documentation and reports.
• Maintain close contact with teachers and school staff to monitor participants' progress.
• Facilitate workshops and presentations regarding various behavioral health topics to youth and parents/adults at agency-wide and community-wide events.
• Develop and conduct outreach presentations in collaboration with various youth programs to engage targeted populations and increase awareness of available resources and services.
• Assist in planning and organizing field trips and recreational activities.
• Make appropriate referrals to CYC programs and other agencies.
• Participate in planning and coordinating with funders and collaborating agencies.
• Attend community initiatives and advocacy meetings.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.A. preferred or 2+ years of office work experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge/experience in alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs prevention is a plus.
• Comfortable engaging youth and parents in open discussions about mental health and other sensitive or challenging topics.
• Ability to work with ethnically diverse groups of low-income youth and English learners.
• Ability to work with parents, teachers, and school administrators.
• Ability to work some evenings, weekends, and outdoor activities.
• Able to lift or move at least 25lbs.
• Bilingual in English and Chinese (Cantonese and/or Mandarin) is highly preferred.

CYC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, age, religion, gender, marital status, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other basis recognized by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.