Family Advocate

Company: San Diego Youth Services
Location: San Diego
Posted on: April 5, 2026

Job Description:

Full-time Description San Diego Youth Services JOB ANNOUNCEMENT Family Advocate San Diego Youth Services seeks a Family Advocate in the Adoption Support Services program to be based in San Diego. This is a full-time & nonexempt position reporting to the Program Manager. San Diego Youth Services: Who we are San Diego Youth Services has helped improve the lives of more than 840,000 homeless, runaway and vulnerable youth since its beginning in 1970. We provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing to more than 28,000 youth every year at 100 community and school locations. Through prevention, early intervention and treatment, we also help youth before they need higher levels of care or become homeless. We aim to: Meet the basic needs of youth. Hunger, poverty and youth homelessness are on the rise for many youth and their families today. We help meet these basic needs for youth. What could be more vital than food and shelter? We provide safe places to live and long-term solutions through shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing. Create positive connection. We help youth focus on positive life changes and healthy relationships as part of providing needed resources and services. San Diego Youth Services has long provided foster homes and adoption support services for families considering adopting a youth in the foster care system. Help youth develop life skills. In addition to a range of safe and stable housing options, we offer support to help youth develop the independent living skills necessary to become self-sufficient and keep off the streets. Promote overall health and well-being. Early intervention and care for the whole child are critical. We provide a broad continuum of services to help youth overcome trauma and challenges that put them at risk, including case management, counseling, mental health treatment and educational support and resources. SDYS has a staff of approximately 250 employees and 80 volunteers working across San Diego County and an annual budget of approximately $24 million. You can learn more about us at www.sdyouthservices.org. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Adoption Support Services provides an array of support to families who have in the past adopted, or are in the process of adopting, foster youth (ages 2-18) in San Diego County. CONTEXT OF POSITION Family Advocates (4) collaborate as part of a team to provide comprehensive, strengths-based support services to adoptive families across the county. Services include mentor/tutoring support, social and recreational activities (e.g., movie and game nights, outings), support groups, parent coaching, resource navigation, and referrals. The role focuses on promoting youth development, strengthening family relationships, and enhancing overall family well-being. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Provide individualized mentor/tutoring support to youth in home, school, or community-based settings throughout the county. Facilitate group mentor/tutoring sessions in office and community settings. Maintain consistent communication with assigned families to offer emotional support, assess needs, and connect them to appropriate resources and referrals. Assist in the development and facilitation of social skills groups and enrichment activities for toddlers, school-age youth, pre-teens, and teens. Collaborate in planning and facilitating at least four Friday night movie/game nights across the county and a minimum of one Saturday outing per month. Support coordination of staff, volunteers, and external mentors/tutors, including matching, onboarding/training, and collecting satisfaction surveys. Conduct phone intakes to obtain referral information, determine eligibility, and identify family needs. Complete comprehensive family assessments, develop service plans, and connect families to appropriate supports, resources, and referrals. Ensure accurate and timely documentation, data collection, and compliance with contract and program requirements. Perform other related duties as assigned or required. SDYS EXPECTATIONS: Adhere to and uphold the rigorous standards of SDYS as mandated by its mission, purpose, guiding principles and standards of quality. Maintain confidentiality and privacy standards of service partner protected health information and other applicable information and material in accordance to agency and center policies, and applicable regulations and laws including HIPAA. Welcome and support SDYS volunteers and assist them in accomplishing their services whenever applicable. Effectively communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Recognize, nurture, and learn from strengths in co-workers. Maintain warm, welcoming and safe work environments. Possess flexibility to accomplish job responsibilities in several work environments, whether it be from home, on the road, or in an office. REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related field, or equivalent experience; minimum of 2 years’ experience in social preferred. Knowledge of, or willingness to develop, skills in trauma-informed care, attachment, and working with adoptive families and/or the foster care system. Experience with case management, group facilitation, and documentation preferred. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Strong interpersonal skills, including compassion, empathy, active listening, creativity, and a willingness to learn. Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) and ability to learn and utilize agency case management systems. Must be available to work occasional evenings and weekends to support program activities and events. Must have a reliable vehicle, relevant auto insurance, a clean driving record, and be willing to drive throughout San Diego County (mileage reimbursement available). Must maintain CPR and First Aid Certification. Must successfully complete all required pre-employment clearances, including TB test, drug screening, and background check. STRATEGIC IMPACT: We are seeking a dynamic, organized, and compassionate individual to join our Family Advocate team. This collaborative program offers the opportunity to utilize your creativity, social service skills, and passion to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and their adoptive families throughout San Diego. This is a full-time, non-exempt position based in our College Heights office and reports directly to the Adoption Support Services Program Manager. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to bend, kneel, crouch, and move actively to engage with and support youth during group activities, outings, and events. Ability to lift and carry up to 15 pounds (e.g., activity supplies, games, materials, water bottles, and event equipment). Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time during groups, meetings, and events. Ability to walk extended distances when supporting youth in community settings, campuses, and outings. Ability to see, read, and review documents, as well as monitor youth activities to ensure safety and engagement. Ability to hear and speak clearly to exchange information, facilitate groups, and provide instructions during activities and presentations. Ability to hear and speak clearly to exchange information, facilitate groups, and provide instructions during activities and presentations. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: No supervisory responsibilities. Hourly Pay: $23 To apply, please send resume and cover letter through job posting on SDYS website. SDYS offers a comprehensive benefits package to full time employees that includes generous PTO, personal holidays, health, vision, dental, life insurance, parental leave and a 403(b)-retirement plan with matching contribution. SDYS is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer. All are welcome at San Diego Youth Services. As an organization working to meet the basic needs of youth, create positive connections, help youth develop life skills, and promote overall health and well-being, SDYS believes its practices and actions must reflect the highest level of commitment to access, equity, and social justice. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent that our members invest in their work represents not only part of the SDYS’ culture, but the SDYS’ reputation and achievements as well. SDYS remains open to feedback from all communities it touches and knows that input from those with direct experience of issues will make the SDYS more effective in achieving its goals. SDYS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. In compliance with the Immigration and Nationality Act as amended, all new employees must verify their eligibility to work in the United States. SDYS is proud to be a kindness certified company. Salary Description $23/hr

Keywords: San Diego Youth Services, Cerritos , Family Advocate, Social Services , San Diego, California