John Burton Foundation
Policy Associate
Job Description
About the John Burton Foundation
The John Burton Foundation for Children Without Homes is a statewide organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for California’s foster youth, homeless youth and former foster youth. It was founded in 2004 by former President pro Tem of the California State Senate John Burton and the office is located in San Francisco, CA. It is a fiscally sponsored project of Community Initiatives.
Responsibilities of the Policy Associate
The Policy Associate is primarily responsible for assisting with the implementation of several projects of the John Burton Foundation: an initiative to improve college-level academic outcomes for foster youth; the THP-Plus Statewide Implementation Project, and the California Foster Youth Pregnancy Prevention Project. The Policy Associate will also be responsible for conducting a range of activities that support the overall goals of the organization.
Improving College Academic Outcomes for Foster Youth
To enhance and further strengthen the work to encourage foster youth to enroll and remain in college, a range of policies will be examined to improve academic outcomes among foster youth. Specifically, the following areas will be reviewed and promoted: improving access to priority registration; increasing college readiness; improve the effectiveness of financial aid; promote campus programs specifically designed to assist foster youth and creating a roadmap to improve educational outcomes.
Responsibilities of Policy Associate:
. Assist in the collection of data currently available on policy areas to be enhanced and promoted
. Work directly with campus administrators to obtain proposed policies to be adopted and implemented to improve college academic outcomes for foster youth
. Obtain data on the administration of the Chafee grant program in CA and gather information on how Chafee programs are administered in other states
. Assist in the creation of a roadmap to improve educational outcomes
THP-Plus Statewide Implementation Project
The Transitional Housing Placement Plus (THP-Plus) Program provides affordable housing and comprehensive supportive services for up to 24 months to help former foster care and probation youth ages 18 to 24 make a successful transition from out-of-home placements to independent living. The program is administered by county departments of social services who either provide the services directly or contract for services with nonprofit THP-Plus providers.
The THP-Plus Statewide Implementation Project is an important companion piece to the THP Plus Program in that it provides vital information and technical assistance to organizations and counties who work with transitional age youth (TAY). It also develops and disseminates current up to date information on housing resources for TAY.
ResPolicy Associate:
. Develop and disseminate training and technical assistance materials, including an annual policy brief and annual report for THP-Plus.
. Manage the THP-Plus Participant Tracking System, a statewide database of THP-Plus providers.
. Advocate for the continuation of THP-Plus at the local level.
. Plan monthly meeting of THP-Plus and THP+FC providers.
. Maintain accurate an accurate roster of THP-Plus, THP+Foster Care programs and for county liaisons.
. Provide individual consultation to providers.
. Manage THP-Plus website
. Participate in quarterly conference calls of the Transitional Housing subcommittee of the County Welfare Directors Association of California.
California Foster Youth Pregnancy Prevention Project
The California Foster Youth Pregnancy Prevention Project is a new initiative of the John Burton Foundation to provide counties with specially designed curriculum on the subject of pregnancy prevention for foster youth.
Responsibilities of the Policy Associate:
. Assist in the identification of counties to participate in a state-wide initiative to reduce unintended pregnancy among youth in foster care.
. Assist in the planning of four educational workshops for the identified counties.
. Monitor the project budget.
. Assist in the development of training materials.
. Participate in intersession technical assistance calls and web seminars with participating counties.
General Responsibilities
In addition, the Policy Associate will also be responsible for coordinating the following activities:
. Assist in planning and organizing lobby days in Sacramento and in various counties.
. Write weekly articles for the John Burton Foundation e-newsletter.
. Present at conferences, plan events and develop presentations.
. Maintain index of AB 12 Questions of the Week.
. Maintain accurate and timely information on the California Fostering Connections to Success website.
. Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree with knowledge of data analysis and strong writing skills essential. Master’s Degree in Public Policy or related field preferred and a strong desire to create a ‘systems change’ in child welfare policy as it affects foster youth, homeless youth and transitional age youth. Prior experience in the field will also be strongly considered.
To Apply
Send resume with specific information about current/previous experience, cover letter, along with salary requirements to: jobs@johnburtonfoundation.org This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please call 415 348-0011 with any questions.
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