Parent and Family Engagement InternAt — Project Youth OC

Our parent and family engagement department works with community partners to bring information and awareness of services to our families who need access to resources. Our program aims to provide our families with educational workshops and link them to much-needed resources in the community. Within this department is our PROJECT PADRES program, designed to empower parents whose children are participating in our juvenile diversion and college and career access programs. This initiative provides crucial support by connecting parents to basic needs and resources, offering guidance and Spanish-to-English translators through the court system, and delivering training to develop agency and independence. Also, in this department, our Youth Making Proud Choices (YMPC) program aims to provide risk reduction workshops & comprehensive HIV/STI education. Promoting responsible choices and access to reproductive healthcare for high-need youth populations. Our interns will be able to assist in hands-on workshop coordination and building rapport with youth and families.

PARENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT INTERN DESCRIPTION

1. Provide support and co-facilitate program sessions with parents or families
2. Assist with preparing for program sessions.
3. Observe educators during program sessions to gain insight into the program and how it works
4. Connect with parents and families in between program sessions to assess the situations at home and provide resources.
5. Make calls to past families to confirm program sessions and other special events
6. Other duties depending on case by case basis

Training:

1. Mandated Reporter Training
   2. Counseling on Access to Lethal Means
   3. Suicide Awareness Training
   4. Drug and Alcohol Training
   5. Juvenile Justice and Restorative Justice Training
   6. Adolescent Development Training
   7. Sexual Health and Access Training
   8. Mental Health Training
   9. General employer orientation training
   10. Weekly scheduled one-on-one mentor meetings
   11. Job shadowing

Learning Outcomes:

1. Learn about topics such as comprehensive sex education, gang awareness, substance abuse prevention, supporting youth in their educational goals, healthy communication, financial literacy, and more!
2. Assess the needs of parents and their families
3. Connect families to resources based on the needs identified
4. Collect and analyze program data to track the program's efficacy.