Social Worker (Youth and Family Advocacy Program)

Social Worker
Youth and Family Advocacy Program
Full-Time Position   Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc., a non-profit law firm that provides free legal assistance to people living with low-income/low opportunity, seeks a full-time MSW-level Social Worker to work in its Youth and Family Advocacy Program (YFAP).

YFAP utilizes a holistic model that integrates legal representation, supportive social work case management, systemic advocacy, and community outreach and education. Services target older, unaccompanied youth who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness and who face barriers to stability and overall well-being due to loss of housing; lack of access to public benefits, employment, education, and health/mental health services; exposure to abuse and violence; and other factors.

The Social Worker will work closely with YFAP program staff to provide holistic advocacy to older, unaccompanied youth to increase stability and overall well-being for youth served by the program.

Responsibilities:

• Provide client-centered advocacy and support to unaccompanied youth receiving legal advocacy
• Conduct social assessments, including risk assessments, on new clients entering caseload
• Develop case plans and stabilization goals through assessment tools to support client aspirations
• Research and collaborate with attorneys on evidence-based best practices to ensure interventions meet the unique needs of the program’s population
• Assist clients with financial assistance applications and public benefits applications, as needed
• Advocate for clients within the social service delivery system
• Assist with planning, coordination, and facilitation of the Youth Action Board for the local Continua of Care
• Conduct training, education, and outreach within served communities to increase referrals and awareness of the rights of unaccompanied youth
• Maintain case files and client records in accordance with agency and funder requirements
• Assist with grant tracking and reporting
• Attend recurring meetings with community organization and stakeholders
• Assist with other tasks as assigned or needed

Qualifications:

• Master of Social Work or comparable degree
• At least 2 years of experience as a social worker and/or comparable experience working with unaccompanied youth
• Knowledge of and commitment to implementing trauma-informed and healing-centered interventions
• Ability to work collaboratively with others – internally and externally – especially across disciplines
• Strong communication and organizational skills, work ethic, flexibility, and teamwork
• Knowledgeable in Microsoft Office and able to quickly learn new systems

If your background doesn’t match our qualifications exactly, but you think you’d make a great addition to our team, we’d like to hear from you! All are encouraged to apply.   Who we are: Legal Services of Eastern Missouri advances justice through legal representation, education, and supportive services. We partner with the community to improve lives, promote fairness and create opportunities for those in need. Since 1956, Legal Services of Eastern Missouri has provided high-quality civil legal assistance and equal access to justice for low-income people in 21 counties in Missouri.   How to Apply:
Upload your resume and cover letter through our online application. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.   Salary & Benefits Information:
Salary range is $50,000-$75,000 for candidates with an MSW. Specific salary offered to a candidate will be based on their years of experience. Excellent benefits including hybrid in person/remote scheduling, a generous time-off policy, medical, dental and vision insurance, a generous time off policy, 403(b) and 401(a) retirement plans, long-term disability and life insurance, employee assistance plan, and flexible spending account.   Submission Deadline:  Applications will be considered until position is filled.   At Legal Services, we value diversity, equity, inclusion, and mutual respect. We encourage people of color, women, LGBTQ+, people of all abilities, and those who have been historically disadvantaged to apply. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that represents our community and to be an inclusive environment for all employees. LSEM is an equal opportunity employer.