TPSN Education Coach

DescriptionPosition Title: TPSNEducation Coach Department: Teen Parenting Service Network (TPSN)Reports to: Supervisor of Education SupportAbout the Program:Teen Parenting Service Network (TPSN): is a statewide Network that works exclusively with pregnant and parenting youth in DCFS care and their children. In managing statewide services for pregnant and parenting youth under a single umbrella, UCAN provides seamless service to placement providers and pregnant and parenting youth through a continuum of care. UCAN provides a full scope of clinical, training, education and parenting services designed to help young parents coping with the effects of trauma. UCAN starts by meeting youth where they are at, identifying strengths and building from success. UCAN staff members are trained to identify and treat the effects of trauma while enhancing the parenting capacity of youth so that they can be the best parents that they can be. Position Objective and Summary:As part of the Education team, the Educational Coach works directly with teens and young adults, and their service teams, to provide educational/vocational program support, training, and assistance with successful movement toward emancipation. The Educational Coach facilitates healing through Trauma Informed Services and Positive Youth Development, utilizing UCAN's Clinical Philosophy.Essential Functions and Responsibilities:Mentoring and Supporting YouthDemonstrates supportive behavior, and role models positive and appropriate social interactions.Engages resistant teen youth.Works with youth to understand the importance of recommended social services, and supports youth to begin and continue with the intervention. Acts as a source of motivation for the teen.Provides a place for teen to voice his/her concerns and issues.Leads instructional groups to teach educational, job readiness, and Life Planning skills and to teen youth.Coordinates efforts with all involved service team members.Education/Vocational Support & ConsultationIdentifies youth's educational/vocational interests and links him/her to learning program.Conduct ongoing, individualized educational/vocational consultation surrounding. educational/vocational planning, problem solving, advocacy strategies, and resources.Communicate regularly with school personnel regarding youth's progress in classes and attendance and provide appropriate interventions to address barriers to success.Teach youth (if pregnant or parenting) about the importance of early education for their children.Assist youth (if pregnant or parenting) with early learning program enrollment for their children.Educate the youth on various DCFS programs which may provide financial support (ETV Funds, Youth in College, EIP, Scholarships, etc.)Coordinate education assistance and provide resources on educational/vocational programs, financial aid assistance and funding for educational opportunities.Links youth to community resources such as housing, WIC, Public Aid, Alumni Services, etc. that will be needed post-emancipation.Provide coaching on resume writing, how to prepare for an interview, appropriate interview attire, interview follow up, customer service, job retention, etc.Link youth to employment agencies, share job leads and information on job fairs.Assist emancipated youth with housing barriers when needed.NetworkingDevelop and maintain relationships with school personnel to obtain educational updates about academic progress and assist in mediating barriers to achievement.Develop partnerships with the Office of the Public Guardian, Juvenile Justice/probation, Chicago Public Schools, Community Centers, local charities, etc. with the purpose of generating referrals for our programs as well as communicating openly with all personnel on each service team.Participate in community resource fairs and school open houses to generate referrals to programs.Develop and maintain relationships with potential employers to assist youth in maintaining stable employment.Develop and maintain relationships with housing resources to ensure youth have suitable housing plans post-emancipation.Documentation and ReportingAssesses youth functioning, creates appropriate Life Plan with the youth, and makes frequent reports to supervisor on youth's progress meeting goals.Maintains accurate, complete and timely youth records as required byReports all critical incidents, incidents of abuse or neglect, and unusual incidents to supervisor, management, or DCFS as required by UCAN, TPSN (if youth is pregnant or parenting) or mandated reporting law within 24 hours of notification.Organization and Service DeliveryResponds in a timely manner to all written correspondence, email and phone call inquiries regarding youth.Studies, learns and uses UCAN, TPSN (if youth is pregnant or parenting) and DCFS procedures for providing services to youth and their children.Transports teen and child(ren) when necessary.Attends all school staffing's, quarterly staffing's, and court hearings as requested.Professional DevelopmentAttends regular supervision, staff meetings, required trainings, and other professional workshops to enhance job skills.Participates in internal UCAN committees, affinity groups, etc. and/or external educational groups.Sets annual developmental goals with supervisor to meet learning needs and interests, while also enhancing job performance and skills.Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.Professionalism and Work ConductBehaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of UCAN.Acts in a professional manner at all times and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients.Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to othersReports to work, meetings, training, and job related activities prepared and as scheduledDemonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkersUnderstands and supports UCAN's standard of cultural proficiency and strives to meet itResponds to clients and their families, UCAN staff, DCFS, service providers and other stakeholders in a timely manner and ensures follow up to adequately address their need.Performs other related tasks as required or assignedEducation/Job Experience/Certification:Educational Coach IBachelors degree required.0 -2 years' experience in child welfare or education setting required.Special Knowledge and Qualifications:Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred.Experience working with teenagers and working in child welfare system preferred.Is open and respectful of cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and is willing and competent to work with a diverse client population.Has an understanding of trauma-informed practiceHas an understanding of Positive Youth Development.Effective verbal and written communication skills.Working knowledge of the child welfare system.Ability to work both independently and a part of a high functioning team.Experience and ability to use computers for data entry, communication and report writingCar and valid Illinois driver's license and insurance required.Work Environment: This position requires local travel to provide services to clients in their homes and in their community. This position may require the transportation of clients and/or their children.Work Conditions: This position may require work on weekends, evenings, and overtime.

Created: 2026-04-04