Wraparound Youth Family Specialist -Partner Role

Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Helpline Youth Counseling (HYC), a nonprofit agency has been providing youth services in Southeast Los Angeles County since 1971 with a primary purpose of providing therapeutic counseling and assistance to at-risk, low-income children, youth and their families.

Mission

The mission of Helpline Youth Counseling (HYC) is to help build individual, family, and community health, well-being, prosperity, and equity. HYC serves clients and community members with trauma-informed, strength-based, person-centered prevention, early intervention, education, and treatment services.

POSITION TITLE: Wraparound Youth Family Specialist/Partner Role

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

PROGRAM: Wraparound

THIS POSITION REPORTS TO: Clinical Supervisor

Wraparound Youth Family Specialist/Partner Role Overview

Purpose and Function

The Wraparound Family Specialist / Youth Partner is a key member of the HYC Wraparound team who provides strength-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive support to both caregivers and youth. This role integrates the essential duties traditionally performed separately by a Parent Partner and Youth Partner in the California Wraparound model.

The primary purpose of this role is to:

Strengthen family functioning and interpersonal communication.
Support youth in developing emotional regulation, advocacy skills, and resilience.
Ensure that the family’s voice, culture, and preferences guide the Child and Family Team (CFT) process.
Help families navigate systems such as schools, mental health, DCFS, probation, and community resources.
Provide coaching and emotional support in natural environments (home, school, community).
Build long-term stability through natural supports, empowerment, and skill-building.

What Makes This Role Unique?

Combines both caregiver advocacy and youth empowerment into one integrated support role.
Emphasizes lived experience, empathy, and authentic connection as core tools for engagement.
Supports families across various environments—including home, school, and community settings.
Helps youth prepare for and participate in CFT meetings, encouraging self-advocacy and goal-setting.
Reinforces healthy communication, coping strategies, and emotional regulation through modeling.
Represents, elevates, and protects family voice and youth voice simultaneously within the Wraparound team.
Encourages creativity, flexibility, and personalized interventions to meet each family’s needs.
Functions as a bridge between caregivers, youth, and professionals to reduce conflict and increase clarity.

Key Functions

Build trusting, culturally respectful relationships with caregivers and youth.
Support caregivers with parenting strategies, emotional regulation, and communication techniques.
Help families identify strengths, needs, and natural supports.
Provide emotional support, validation, and consistent follow-through.

Mentor youth on decision-making, communication, coping, and life skills.
Assist youth in regulating emotions and completing tasks.
Encourage participation in prosocial activities and goal-driven actions.
Help youth prepare for CFT meetings and express their needs independently.

Provide trauma-informed coaching in real-life settings.
Support youth and families in identifying triggers and practicing coping strategies.
Model healthy responses, emotional regulation, and conflict-resolution strategies.
Assist in stabilizing emotional or behavioral escalations when appropriate.

Participate in all CFT meetings and team collaborative discussions.
Communicate daily with THPs, facilitators, and program managers regarding client needs.
Offer observations and feedback that help inform individualized care planning.
Assist families with system navigation (schools, mental health, community resources).

Support completion and implementation of crisis and safety plans.
Help families practice de-escalation strategies and grounding techniques.
Reinforce stability and emotional safety during high-stress moments.
Assist families with follow-up tasks related to crisis prevention.

Assist families in accessing community resources, benefits, and supports (mental health, education, housing, etc.).
Help youth and caregivers advocate for their needs in school, DCFS, probation, and other systems.
Support the development of long-term natural support networks.
Encourage empowerment, confidence, and independence.

Complete timely, accurate progress notes that meet HYC, Medi-Cal, and Wraparound standards.
Assist in ongoing data collection, outcome tracking, and quarterly reporting requirements.
Adhere to confidentiality laws, agency policies, and ethical boundaries.
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and supervision.

Essential Qualities

The ideal Wraparound Family Specialist / Youth Partner demonstrates:

Strong empathy, patience, and the ability to build trust quickly.
Trauma-informed, culturally humble communication skills.
Ability to model effective coping, communication, and problem-solving.
Commitment to honoring and amplifying both youth and caregiver voice.
Flexibility to adjust to changing needs and work in various locations. <