Background
Child and Family Policy Institute of California (CFPIC) is a private non-profit organization whose goal is to advance the development of sound public policy and program excellence in county Human Services Agencies. CFPIC works in partnership with the County Welfare Director’s Association, the California Department of Social Services, and many state and local philanthropic, research and educational organizations to improve practice in order to strengthen the lives of vulnerable adults, children and families. As a partner in state efforts promoting best practice, CFPIC is involved in supporting strategic and coordinated statewide policy and practice development. This includes providing staffing and support to assist state and local child welfare partners to integrate youth voice in system improvements such as After 18 services (AB 12), Continuum of Care Reform, etc. The State Youth Council (SYC) is an important part of these youth engagement system improvement efforts.
SYC is a partnership between current and former foster youth, county child welfare staff and leadership, and representatives from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), County Welfare Director’s Association (CWDA) and California Youth Connection (CYC). The Council consists of approximately 10-15 Ambassadors who are current and former foster youth ages 14-24 years old. Each Ambassador represents a different California county. Currently Ambassadors representing the following counties are participating in SYC, though the number of Ambassadors and composition is expected to change over time: Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Monterey, Napa, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Solano and Ventura. SYC Ambassadors meet 6-8 times a year in Sacramento, do between-meeting youth engagement work within their counties, and serve as technical assistants to CDSS and child welfare system improvement partners, providing insight at both local and state levels about policies and practices that engage youth, build youth-adult partnerships and improve the foster care system.
Job Specifications
Child and Family Policy Institute of California is seeking qualified individuals for the position of Youth Engagement Coordinator to focus intensively on the engagement of youth in state and local child welfare system improvement efforts. Duties include but are not limited to:
 Work with CDSS, CWDA, CYC and other partners to identify and move forward strategic training and technical assistance opportunities that build and integrate youth voice in policy and practice implementation for key statewide system improvements in child welfare and partner agency systems;


 Act as a youth engagement resource and champion in implementing strategies to engage current and former foster youth in state and local system improvement activities and forums;
 Work closely with CDSS, CWDA and California counties in the recruitment, selection and ongoing support of SYC Ambassadors or other Youth Engagement Technical Assistants;
 Support Youth Ambassadors and other Youth Engagement Technical Assistants in their preparation for and participation in designated statewide system improvement projects, meetings and events;
 Plan, arrange and coordinate SYC meetings and other youth engagement system improvement forums, including handling logistics such as facility, room set-up, meeting materials and supplies, as well as preparing, assembling, copying and disseminating handouts and other educational materials;
 Build relationships with SYC Ambassadors and other Youth Engagement Technical Assistants and provide one-on-one support between in-person meetings;
 In partnership with CDSS, CWDA, CYC and other partners coordinate, facilitate and support all activities of the State Youth Council. This may include, but is not limited to:
o Coordinate all SYC Ambassador and Leadership Team meeting scheduling, agendas logistics and meeting materials and supplies;
o Work closely with CDSS and the SYC Leadership Team to plan the agenda for each in-person State Youth Council Ambassador meeting;
o Work with CYC and other partners to develop, copy, assemble and disseminate curriculum and educational materials to meet the needs of the Council;
o Coordinate and work collaboratively with participating counties and Adult Allies on bi-monthly conference calls and in individual follow-up to clarify roles, provide information, coordinate activities and ensure Ambassadors have needed support;
o Outreach, coordination, scheduling and facilitation of 6-8 State Youth Council in-person meetings annually;
o Schedule, host and facilitate regularly scheduled All-Ambassador Conference Calls;
o Work closely with Ambassadors, County Contacts, CFPIC staff and others to ensure travel is arranged timely, costs are covered and invoicing of Ambassadors Technical Assistance stipends and travel reimbursement requests are provided to CFPIC timely.
 Prepare semi-annual reports with updated information regarding youth engagement activities, accomplishments, lessons learned and challenges;
 Regularly consult with the CFPIC Integration Director, designated representative(s) at CDSS, and the SYC Leadership Team on progress and challenges in Youth Engagement work and assignments;
 Assist in planning and/or making presentations about youth engagement in statewide system improvement to various organizations, groups, and stakeholders;
 Other youth engagement related tasks as assigned by the CFPIC Integration Director in coordination with CDSS.

Desired Skills
 Good listener with strong written and verbal communication skills
 Self-Motivated and accountable with timely follow-through
 Computer literacy (Microsoft Office Suite)
 Effective interpersonal communication and problem-solving
 Ability to engage others and support relationship-building and teamwork
 Ability to plan and facilitate meetings and group processes
 Ability to organize and manage schedules and meeting logistics



Education/Experience Requirements
 High School Diploma required; AA or BA preferred
 Minimum of one (1) year of experience in youth development training, technical assistance, policy, advocacy or related work
In addition, the following qualities and community based experiences and skills are highly desirable:
o Familiarity with and experience in the foster care system as a child or youth;
o Demonstrated experience and skill in youth engagement and youth empowerment;
o Ability to work cooperatively with public systems and others serving and supporting foster youth;
o Experience in leadership, public speaking, delivering training and/or facilitation of groups;
o Experience in project or program coordination and support.

Working Relationships
The Youth Engagement Coordinator will report to the Integration Director at Child and Family Policy Institute of California, and will work collaboratively with leadership at the California Department of Social Services, County Welfare Directors Association, California Youth Connection, as well as with many other state and local partners.

Compensation
This is a 30 hour a week position with benefits. Employee salary will be based on qualifications and experience. The position will be based at the California Department of Social Services in Sacramento with ongoing communication and coordination with Child and Family Policy Institute staff.
Occasional travel to other locations within California may be required. Reimbursement will be provided for business-related travel expenses within the limits of California state travel guidelines.

Contact
Please e-mail resume with a cover letter or memo by Friday, January 25, 2013, to Mia.Stizzo@cfpic.org