Participant Retention Coach

The Participant Retention Coach (PRC) works as part of the program team to identify needs, deliver outcomes and facilitate successful participant retention post incarceration.  The Participant Retention Coach serves in the role of strengthening the mission of the organization ensuring the participants remain engaged in activities such as  Life Transformation Coach (LTC)  meetings, connection to the Job Development team (JDES) and other partners outlined in their Life Plan goals. This work will be conducted both in the community and inside prisons and jails with participants during  and after the Connections to Success Personal and Professional Development training (PPD) classes. In addition, the Participant Retention Coach will serve all of the Connection to Success Regions. While the LTC is primarily responsible for cultivating relationships with participants before, during and after they have completed the PPD training. LTC are participant centered; knowledgeable about community resources and act as strong advocates for participants. LTCs maintain regular contact with participants and work with them to achieve both short and long term goals identified in their Life Plan. The PRC will work to reengage participants who have stopped making contact with the LTC and/or JDES.  The PRC may provide resources, accountability and encouragement as participants pursue their goals. PRC’s inspire, engage, and support participants at all stages of their transformation without judgment or prescription using coaching practices and reinforcing PPD curriculum.

RELATIONSHIPS:
Reports to: Project Coordinator
Internal Relationships: All Staff, Volunteers, Mentors, Participants
External Relationships: Participants, Educational Institutions, Employers, Training Providers, Volunteers, Guest Speakers, Partner Organizations, Referring Agencies, Community Organizations and Government Agencies
  KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Communicates the benefits of the services provided by CtS to participants and works to reengage them in services.
• Explores the issues that have prevented the participant from continual engagement.
• Works with the Life Transformation Coaches Job Developer and Education team to understand participant needs and makes appropriate connection to the Regional Office that can serve the participant.
• Works closely with Life Transformation Coaches and Job Development Team to ensure participant has adequate support to obtain and retain employment (i.e. transportation, child care, etc.)
• Works with program team to deliver project outcomes and ensure program retention
• Ability to track, manage and use data in a timely, accurate manner across a variety of database systems for grant reporting purposes
• Completes all required reports and summaries on time and submits to Project Manager
• Engage, participate, and contribute to all assigned activities that further the goals of CtS in a variety of settings to include offices, partner organizations, correctional institutions and more 
• Maintain confidentiality of all participant information
• Works one-on-one with participants at all stages of program participation to empower, challenge and support transformation; utilizing PPD curriculum and coaching approach to support cognitive skill development in everyday situations
• Provides accountability and actionable support to participants as they pursue goals outlined in their Life Plan; offering individualized and non-prescriptive support
• Makes timely and appropriate referrals to meet basic needs, advance educational goals and promote employment success; understands scope of service and refers out as needed
• Completes surveys, case notes, attendance records; updates employment and education information promptly when participants’ status changes. All interactions documented within 48 hours

• Bachelor’s degree in the social sciences, business, or a related field, or equivalent, experience preferred but will consider experience in lieu of degree.
• At least 1 year experience in direct service to a high-risk population preferred
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent verbal communication skills and ability to persuasively present program and participants needs/outcomes to audiences
• Excellent written communication skills
• Ability to work some nights and weekends