Violence Prevention Specialist
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Violence Prevention Specialist is responsible for providing violence prevention youth development programming, service provider trainings, and mental health linkage services targeting LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning) youth, youth experiencing homelessness, and street-based youth at the Broadway Youth Center (BYC) centering a restorative justice framework. Additionally, this person is responsible for providing culturally competent violence prevention and trauma-healing education through community-based activities, outreach, and presentations. This role requires a dynamic integration of restorative justice frameworks with youth development best practices with the goal of improving LGBTQ/ street based quality of life through youth access to mental health, cultural, and social services.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Demonstrate a profound understanding of, and knowledge of working with LGBTQ and street-based youth age 12-24; demonstrate the ability to speak to and affect a wide variety of audiences related to the health, wellness and development needs of the target population; demonstrate the ability to connect with, and provide development services and interventions.
Provide LGBTQ and street-based youth with high-quality and responsive care, particularly 1:1 crisis intervention, group level violence prevention programming, healing circles, and conflict mediations in a milieu setting at the Broadway Youth Center.
Incorporate anti-oppression frameworks including harm reduction, trauma-healing care, restorative justice, and sex/body positivity into daily work.
Facilitate and support curriculum development of culturally competent education groups on-site and with community partners such as Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC) for youth who have experienced trauma and whose coping mechanisms may involve inflicting harm on others.
Assist in the development of violence prevention outreach educational materials to be distributed online and in print with community partners and institutions.
Organize and facilitate staff and provider trainings on de-escalation and violence prevention; culturally competent mental health assessments, resources and referrals; and integration of restorative justice into program policies and procedures.
Actively participate in regular staff meetings to plan accountability processes and program development for young people including “Community Healing Accountability and Transforamtion” (CHAT) and safety policy development (chitCHAT) meetings.
Link youth to appropriate in-house services at BYC and Howard Brown including walk-In sexual health, primary care, mental health, education, vocation, and resource advocacy
Maintain knowledge on sexual violence prevention, de-escalation, best practices of youth development work, restorative justice, and Chicago area mental health resources for LGBTQ and homeless youth through continuing education workshops and trainings.
Enter services rendered into electronic health record system and Homeless Management Information System.
Assist with the management and training of volunteers and staff.
Serve as member of the Howard Brown Health Sexual Assault Response Team by participating in monthly meetings.
Enter documentation of basic needs, outreach, milieu intervention, and programming services through electronic health records, HMIS (Homeless Management Information System), and manager developed databases in a timely and accurate manner
Demonstrates commitment to Howard Brown core values, mission, and vision.
Maintain highest level of client confidentiality and professionalism; follow HIPAA regulations; performs duties according to approved policies and procedures relating to OSHA and Standard Precautions.
Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Strong background in working with at-risk youth, including LGBTQA young people, is highly regarded.
Strong communication and administrative skills, including proficiency with computer systems, is preferred.
Must be comfortable working with the LGBTQA population.
High School diploma or GED, or equivalent required.
Bachelor’s degree not required, but preferred.
Bilingual – Spanish/English is highly regarded.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT:
Decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees at Howard Brown are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, age, FMLA status, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state or local statutes.
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply for this position, please start the application process using the link below. Applicants should submit both their cover letter and resume together as the same document into our ADP system for consideration.