Careers at UCA

Job Description: Program Coordinator – Inspire Girls Wellness Program
(Girls on the Move: Wellness, Strength & Grace)
Part-Time / 30 Hours per Week
Reports to: Senior Operations Manager

Position Summary

The Program Coordinator is the lead staff member responsible for the development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of Urban Community Alliance’s Inspire Girls Wellness Program – Girls on the Move: Wellness, Strength & Grace. This 12-month initiative serves girls ages 8–16, integrating sports (golf and boxing), wellness, mental health supports, mentorship, and enrichment activities to promote emotional strength, leadership, confidence, and overall well-being.
The Program Coordinator ensures high-quality delivery, including sports and fitness sessions, a 90-day wellness foundation series, enrichment workshops, mentorship circles, and special program events such as Poise & Power Tea gatherings and the Rooted in Love Retreat.

The Coordinator creates a safe, empowering, trauma-informed environment, provides individualized support to each participant, ensures program fidelity to the ECHO model (Empathy, Character, Hope, Opportunity), and oversees partnerships with families, schools, community organizations, and wellness providers.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver all program activities, including wellness workshops, sports sessions, enrichment events, and mentorship circles.
• Recruit, enroll, and support girls ages 8–16, ensuring inclusive outreach to underserved communities.
• Coordinate partnerships with coaches, schools, mental health providers, and community organizations.
• Supervise and coach older participants (ages 12–16) as peer mentors.
• Maintain attendance, assessments, and program data; assist with reporting and budgeting.
• Ensure a safe, trauma-informed, culturally responsive program environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Education, Psychology, Public Health, Sports Management, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 2–3+ years of youth development experience, preferably with girls ages 8–16.
• Strong facilitation, communication, and organizational skills.
• Experience with trauma-informed practice, mentoring, or wellness programming preferred.
• Ability to work some evenings/weekends for special events.
  Bilingual ability (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Preferred

• Experience in program coordination, case management, coaching, mentoring, or family engagement.
• Experience working with community-based organizations in urban settings.
• Familiarity with mental health practices, mindfulness, or wellness facilitation.

Working Conditions

• A combination of office, school, community, and sports facility environments.
• Physical mobility is required for sports involvement, activity setup, and on-site programming.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to off-site locations.

Compensation

• Part-time position (30 hrs/week)
• Hourly or salary compensation aligned with UCA’s pay scale and grant award structure (reference funding documentation for internal alignment).

Why Join UCA?

• Be part of a mission-driven team committed to youth wellness, empowerment, and equity.
• Lead a holistic program that integrates sports, mental health, enrichment, and leadership.
• Work with passionate community partners and help shape girls’ futures in meaningful ways.

To Apply:

Send your résumé and a brief cover letter to maguena.deslandes@ucainc.org with the subject line: Program Coordinator – Inspire Girls Wellness Program.

Position: JRB Program Manager

Reports To: Operations Director 

FLSA Status: Exempt

Direct Reports: JRB Case Manager, Volunteers

Last Revised: August 1, 2025

Summary of Major and Essential Functions:

To provide a relational model of holistic, clinically-informed, community case management to families and youth to support youth compliance with the JRB diversion plan.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Manages the daily operations of the Juvenile Review Board for New Haven and School-Based programs.
• Serves as the primary liaison with community agencies, including but not limited to the NHPD, DCF, Juvenile Courts, CSSD, New Haven, employers, and community-based organizations.
• Develop and maintain relationships with surrounding towns in order to expand and implement the Juvenile Review Board in their cities: Hamden, West Haven, East Haven, etc.
• Coordinates intakes and assigns cases to specific Case Managers.
• Schedules and prepares agendas for all JRB meetings, including but not limited to panels, advisory board meetings, staff meetings, and community meetings. 
• Recruit, train, and evaluate JRB volunteers and interns, including but not limited to panel members.
• Train JRB case managers, functions as a model and mentor to JRB case managers, and carries a .5 case management caseload (this is equivalent to 1 -2 cases). 
• Proficient in articulating Juvenile Review Board goals, objectives, and operations to JRB staff, volunteers, public officials, community groups, and organizations to achieve a higher level of community visibility for the JRB.
• Ensure the efficient operation of the Juvenile Review Board.
• Provides monthly JRB program progress reports or updates to the Executive Director, Operations Director, DCF Contract liaison, School-Based Administrators and other reports as needed.
• Other duties as requested by the Executive Director and Operations Director to ensure the efficient and effective operations of the JRB and the delivery of quality services to children and youth referred to the Juvenile Review Board.  

Schedule: Full time

Salary: Salary is to be determined. 

Other: an official record check of criminal history and DCF history of substantiated abuse or neglect is required.  

Position Summary:

Seeking a full-time case manager position to utilize clinical skills required for home-based services provided to parents and children. The case manager position requires strong outreach and engagement skills, extensive documentation compliance, the capacity to connect families with resources to meet basic needs, experience in supportive counseling, and parent guidance skills, as well as experience in collaboration with DCF, schools, and community providers in the New Haven area. Knowledge of community resources, a valid driver’s license, and own car required. Email cover letter and resume. Activities are guided by the professional social work code of ethics and rules of confidentiality. A thorough knowledge of family functioning as described in the Job Description is expected, with emphasis on the case manager’s cultural competence. Competence in providing home-based parenting education to families when abuse/neglect of children has been substantiated, and a thorough knowledge of community resources is expected.

Essential Accountabilities:

• Direct Services worker/in-home services, travel required
• Prepare an Initial Assessment and Plan of Service which outlines the family background, strengths, concerns, and recommendations with a focus on child risk and protective factors
• Provide intensive, in-home, parenting education to the family to reduce risk and strengthen protective factors, and support and advocacy to help families achieve their goals
• Provide transportation as necessary; have a properly insured car available for transportation
• Provide crisis intervention as necessary to children and families
• Participate in case conferences with DCF staff, school conferences, and court appearances with the family as requested
• Provide family advocacy and linkage to community resources as needed
• Participate in ongoing assessment and evaluation of the family’s goals
• Other related duties, as assigned

Client Service Documentation:

• Provide necessary client information and documentation to DCF as required (contact logs, reports, case updates)
• Establish and maintain appropriate professional files that provide all necessary documentation regarding the family
• Provide a weekly update to the supervisor regarding all cases and participate in weekly face-to-face supervision with the supervisor
• Attend individual and team supervision meetings; participate in monthly staff meetings
• Participate in monthly in-house training sessions

 

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage a caseload of families
• Effective leadership and time-management skills
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Effective organization and problem-solving skills
• Ability to stay calm in difficult and emotional situations
• Understanding of laws and regulations about custody, welfare, protection, etc.
• Knowledge of state and local directives and guidelines regarding children
• Ability and flexibility to complete tasks virtually, if necessary
• Ability to work evenings, if need be, to address parents’ needs
• Must be able to pass a criminal and DCF background check
• Must have a valid driver’s license and an insured automobile for home visits, school visits, etc.
• Proficient in Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, or similar software

Education and Experience:

• Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Criminal Justice, or related field
• Experience in clinical case management
• 2- 4 years’ experience working with adolescents and families in a community setting

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, talk, see, hear, and reach with hands and arms
• Must be able to lift 20 pounds at a time

Note: Physical requirements may be achieved with reasonable accommodation that does not result in an undue hardship to the organization

About Urban Community Alliance:

UCA’s mission is to empower families of color to develop healthy attachments and promote physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being while developing a positive connection to their communities. UCA has three central beliefs:

• Support self-reliance through helping individuals realize their personal strengths and agency
• Nurture healthy families by integrating avenues of support within families through developing a sense of community
• Bolster civic engagement by offering resources and support to enable self-advocacy

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: 48,000.- 53,000.

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8-hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person/Hybrid

Position: VETTS Mentor (Veterans Empowering Teens Through Support)
Reports To: VETTS Program Manager
FLSA Status: Non Exempt
Last Revised: 9/11/2024

VETTS Requirements

A. Nature of Work: VETTS employees are responsible for assisting youth involved in the prison and court system, to develop positive and supportive relationships within their home, and at risk for community violence. VETTS will involve the program participants in pro-social activities, assist with implementing goals, and provide academic support, life skills training, and employment skill exposure. VETTS employees must maintain high professionalism while representing Urban Community Alliance and the VETTS program while out in the community.

B. Commitment Time: Clients receive a minimum of 3 contacts weekly.

C. Examples of Work:
➔ Volunteering in the community
➔ Exploring colleges within the state
➔ Exploring Job Corp opportunities
➔ Assist youth in finding employment
➔ Assist youth in making choices that will not involve legal involvement
➔ Explore career choice
➔ Plan for immediate and future goals

Taking the youth into the community to explore pro-social activities and teaching independent living skills such as (but not limited to):
➔ Learning how to compare prices before making a purchase
➔ Learning where and how to shop for clothing and groceries
➔ Learning how to change a tire/car maintenance
➔ Learning how to wash and fold clothes
➔ Learning how to take the bus
➔ Learning how to take the train (within the state)
➔ Learning about & attending free pro-social activities in the community

D. Qualifications:

1. Must be able to utilize verbal de-escalation techniques should youth need assistance appropriate behaviors in the community.
2. Must be of good moral character and sound judgment.
3. Must be capable of gathering facts and information, without violating a youth’s
   confidentiality, regarding negative behaviors that may need to be reported to the proper source.
4. Must be able to submit written reports about time spent with the youth at their scheduled supervision meeting.
5. Must be willing to complete a two-week on-the-job training session before meeting with a client.
6. Must communicate effectively and coherently with referring agencies: Department of Children and Families, Connecticut Juvenile /Adult Court, Parole, Probation, and the local police department.
7. Must be able to transport the youth to and from scheduled meetings with VETTS mentors.
8. Must be able to communicate effectively with people including the youth and family.
9. Must be able to assist youth to mediate disputes with parole/probation, peers, and their family in a manner that promotes appropriate tone and affect.
10. Must be able to endure verbal abuse when confronting youth that are involved and accept hostile views and opinions that the youth may have about a person or situation.
11. Must pass a background investigation. Candidates must not have any felony convictions or serious misdemeanor convictions.
12. Must have a reasonable amount of time to commit to the youth’s contracted hours, supervision requirements, and note-writing.
13. Must attend periodic Urban Community Alliance staff training.
14. Must possess a valid driver’s license and be capable of operating their vehicle.
15. Must possess good judgment regarding the weather and transporting a youth in a vehicle.
16. Must have or be willing to obtain CPR/First Aid/AED certification.
17. Must complete a 6-month probationary period.

E. Salary: $22.50 per hour.

F. Hours: 20 hours per week. There is some flexibility in the hours. 1⁄2 hour per child is required for supervision.

G. Requirements:

• Must be 21+
• Must have your registered vehicle
• Must have a valid driver’s license and insurance
• Must submit to the following background checks: CPS, DMV, Police background
• Must have an Honorable discharge from the military (if discharged)
• Must have a high school diploma
• Must not have a felony

The following requirements are preferred but not required:

• Advanced college degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s)
• Prior experience with youth, young adults, and adults.

Interested Candidates: Submit resume and letter of interest to pepe.vega@ucainc.org 
Urban Community Alliance Operations at maguena.deslandes@ucainc.org,
(203) 786-5970 X. 4110.