Reports To: Senior Director of Youth, Family and Senior Services

Location: Newark, NJ 

The purpose of United Community Corporation (UCC) is to provide a multiplicity of social, educational, recreational and developmental programs to improve and stabilize the quality of life in the Newark & Greater Essex County community. 

UCC currently provides free food and clothing services; case management counseling for emergency shelter residents; housing/rental assistance; youth summer and afterschool programing; senior services including recreation and health/wellness educational services; job preparation and vocational training including computer skills; advocacy and a multitude of additional services for the entire family

The Youth Court Liaison plays a pivotal role in facilitating communication and support between youth, their families, legal representatives, and court officials within the juvenile justice system. This position involves coordinating various initiatives aimed at engaging families, providing counseling services to youth, and ensuring access to community resources. The Youth Court Liaison acts as a bridge between stakeholders to promote positive outcomes for youth involved in the legal system, while also serving as a key contributor to the Family Engagement program at United Community Corporation (UCC).

● Attend court proceedings as necessary to meet with families, service providers, attorneys, and judges for one-on-one meetings and to provide relevant information and education to parents.

● Collaborate with the Juvenile Detention Center to organize family engagement network sessions for families of youth in detention.

● Work with the Juvenile Detention Center to develop four youth group topics for sessions at the center.

● Establish a minimum of two-family engagement networks in two cities within the region (Newark, Irvington, East Orange, and Orange).

● Develop and implement a schedule for a minimum of three family engagement network sessions in each of the two designated cities.

● Build a network of local community providers and compile a directory to facilitate connections for families seeking additional support services.

● Foster improved communication channels between youth, parents, probation officers, and family court staff.

● Attend Youth Services Commission (YSC) meetings to stay informed about relevant policies and initiatives.

● Follow up with families within 60 days of referral, documenting all follow-up efforts and outcomes.

● Provide counseling services to young people to address their emotional and behavioral needs.

● Offer information and referrals for additional community and social services, including those provided in-house by the organization and other community organizations.

● Receive referrals from schools, Family Court, Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) conveners, the Police Department, and other community sources, and manage participant intake accordingly.

● Work under the supervision of The Senior Director of Youth, Family, and Senior Services.

● Contribute to the Family Engagement program at UCC through active participation and collaboration.

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● Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field (preferred).

● Previous experience working with youth and families in a social services or juvenile justice setting.

● Knowledge of the juvenile justice system, family dynamics, and community resources.

● Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders effectively.

● Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

● Proficiency in documentation and record-keeping.

● Flexibility to attend court proceedings and meetings outside of regular business hours, as needed.