Services for Youth Advancement Coordinator

Summary Statement

The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) and the Child Placement Accountability Commission (CPAC) are tasked with the responsibility of administering the Ivyane Davis Memorial Scholarship fund. This fund was established to provide scholarships for post-secondary education to Delaware youth who experienced foster care. The OCA, on CPAC’s behalf also administer the federal Chafee Educational and Training Vouchers (ETV) Program which is a federal funding resource for scholarships. In addition, the OCA is responsible to administer the Tuition Waiver program that was established by the passage of the Fostering Independence Through Education Tuition Waiver Program in 2022. This program supports qualifying youth who spent time in Delaware’s foster care system to access higher education by waiving tuition, fees and (where offered) room and board at Delaware State University, Delaware Technical Community College and the University of Delaware. The OCA is also responsible for implementing the Driver’s License and Insurance (DLI) Program for youth and young adults who experienced foster care in Delaware. The DLI program was established in April of 2023 through the passage of legislation in October of 2022. The program provides resources and supports for youth and young adults that breaks down barriers associated with obtaining a driver’s license and automobile insurance.�\r\n

Preferred Qualification

Applicants who do not possess the preferred qualification will still be eligible to compete for this position if job requirements are met.�\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Proficient in Excel.\r\n Knowledge of Microsoft 365 applications.\r\n Excellent verbal and written communication.\r\n Awareness of the child welfare and foster care system.\r\n Experience working with teens and young adults.\r\n Experience writing policy, procedure and reports.\r\n Ability to travel statewide.��\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Essential Functions

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe SYA Coordinator shall serve as one of the two staff persons to oversee the DLI program. This includes on-going updates to the DLI application process, oversight of public-facing education material, data input, stakeholder trainings, CPAC report-outs, coordination of services with youth participants, their support team and community partners, collaboration with state agencies such as the Department of Education, the Delaware Department of Transportation and the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families and management of the programs budget. In addition, the SYA Coordinator will serve as one of the two staff persons to manage the ETV and Ivyane Davis Memorial scholarship which includes oversight of the application process, on-going communication and support of youth participants, coordination with post-secondary schools and programs, collaboration with the youths’ support team, data collection, budget oversight, stakeholder trainings and CPAC report-outs. The SYA Coordinator will also serve as one of the two staff persons to manage the Tuition Waiver program which includes development of program supports, collaboration with the University of Delaware, Delaware State University and Delaware Technical Community College, support to youth participants through verifying eligibility and ongoing coordination of resources while they attend school, data collection, trainings, management of public-facing educational material. In addition, the SYA Coordinator will attend workgroups, trainings and conferences.�\r\n\r\n\r\nTo support OCA in accomplishing its duties, the Services for Youth Advancement Coordinator performs the followings tasks:�\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Administering the scholarship application process for the Ivyane Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund, Chafee ETV Program, Tuition Waiver Program and the Driver’s License and Insurance Program.\r\n Preparing reports related to the scholarship and DLI activities and regularly reviewing both application process, policy and procedure to determine if updates are needed.\r\n Working directly with youth to complete the applications together with all needed documentation.\r\n Assisting students with their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and all other aspects of the college or trade school application process.\r\n Collaborating with Independent Living Providers, who support youth, ages 14 and older, in out-of-home placement, to promote the scholarship and DLI opportunities and to coordinate the applications from youth and to determine the appropriate awards and services under the different� programs.\r\n Interviewing youth applicants for scholarships.\r\n Preparing and issuing award letters to students.\r\n Coordinating with partnered organizations to connect youth with DLI services.\r\n Submitting monthly invoices.\r\n Maintaining regular contact and communication and support of youth participating in the programs.\r\n Management of a budget that includes adhering to state and federal fiscal rules on different spending plans.\r\n Staffing the CPAC Services for Youth Advancement Committee, which administers the scholarships, Tuition Waiver and DLI programs.�\r\n Supporting Delaware’s Youth Advisory Council, HOPE, by attending meetings, sharing input and providing guidance to youth.\r\n Coordinating with the educational institutions attended by the students regarding payment and academic progress.\r\n Maintaining a comprehensive database of the allocations and outcomes.\r\n Working with the Administrative Office of the Courts to ensure the timely release of award to a variety of institutions and providers.\r\n Proposing changes to the State regulations regarding these scholarship funds.\r\n Understanding how federal grants operate in order to comply with the federal Chafee requirements.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Job Requirements

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree.\r\n Knowledge of interviewing to obtain facts, exploring issues, and identifying courses of action.\r\n Experience in establishing and maintaining effective professional relationships with individuals and community agencies.�\r\n Experience working directly with youth or vulnerable populations.\r\n Experience in document processing which includes reviewing and evaluating records for completeness and conformity with laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; resolving deficiencies; interpreting information; and tracking and monitoring activities.\r\n Experience in using standard computer software programs for word processing, spreadsheets, or databases.\r\n Ability to communicate courteously and effectively, both verbally and in writing.�\r\n Possession of a valid Delaware Class D driver’s license or its equivalent.��\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Additional Posting Information

This position is statewide and can be primarily located at 900 King Street, Wilmington; 400 Court Street, Dover; or 6 West Market Street, Georgetown.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Conditions of Hire

\r\n\r\n A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire.\r\n Direct deposit of paychecks is required as a condition of hire.�\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Selection Process

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position.� It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties.� For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content.�� Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.\r\n\r\nOnce you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email.� Please keep your contact information current.� You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the “My Applications” tab at�StateJobs.Delaware.gov.\r\n

Accommodations

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.�\r\nIndividuals who use TDD may request auxiliary aid or service by calling (800) 232-5470 or by visiting�delawarerelay.com.�\r\nIf you need assistance with an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or general applicant support, you may call (302) 739-5458 or email jobs@delaware.gov.\r\nThe State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.�\r\n